Changing Exhibits
Bannered Heroes: Celebrating Pennsylvania’s African American Veterans
Ground floor
Over the past two centuries, many African Americans have served Pennsylvania and the nation with distinction in the U.S. Armed Forces. This exhibit highlights twelve such individuals with ties to Pennsylvania, but it is intended as a tribute to all of the Commonwealth’s African American veterans. This display is presented by Beta Pi Boulé, the Harrisburg chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boulé).
Art of the State 2024
1st floor
Now in its 57th year, Art of the State has become a cornerstone in the Pennsylvania art scene. The exhibition offers a captivating glimpse into the Commonwealth’s rich artistic heritage, featuring works that span painting, photography/digital media, craft, sculpture, and works on paper.
The exhibit includes 96 works of art by 96 artists from 28 counties of Pennsylvania. Finalists were selected from 2,200 entries submitted by more than 600 artists. On exhibit September 8, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Seeing Fallingwater – Celebrating Pennsylvania’s Architectural Masterpiece
1st floor
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Fallingwater’s listing in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Fallingwater a World Heritage Site.
The centerpiece of Seeing Fallingwater is an architectural model of the iconic building created on commission in 1984 for the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). The model, currently on loan to The State Museum, will be on display along with other Fallingwater-related materials through January 5, 2025.
HORSE2AUTO: A Transportation Revolution
1st floor
Automobiles began appearing on Pennsylvania roads in the late 1800s, but the transition away from horses – then-dominant mode of personal transport – did not happen quickly, or evenly. for more than a quarter century, cars shared the roads with horse-drawn vehicles. This display explores the transition from horse to automobiles through the history of three vehicles from Pennsylvania’s last transportation revolution.
Game Changers: PA Women Who Made History
1st floor
This display celebrates women from across the state representing diverse fields including education, science, business, human rights advocacy, and the arts- and details the contributions they made as well as the challenges they faced in their lifetimes.