Take a step back in time and relive Pennsylvania’s history with a trip to The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Located in the state’s capital, the museum is a short 90 minute jaunt from State College and in that short time you’ll drive far back into Pennsylvania’s history.
The four story building is home to an astonishing 5,000,000 historical artifacts from Pennsylvania’s past. That includes everything from fossils to machinery and items from the Civil War.
“We’re the only museum in the world whose primary focus is on Pennsylvania,” says David Dunn, the museum’s director. “We have historical pieces that date all the way back to the dawn of geological time.”
According to Dunn, the most popular exhibit is the Mammal Hall. The display includes a collection of stuffed animals including rare species of Pennsylvania wildlife.
“We had scientists go to different locations of Pennsylvania to examine and research the mammals,” says Dunn. “We researched animals like the Grey Fox, Red Fox, Black Bear and the Striped Skunk and built dioramas of them to put on display.”
Another section focuses on the war between the states.
“The Civil War display is another favorite of the people that visit,” says Dunn. “We have a very cool painting of the Battle of Gettysburg’s Pickett Charge and some nice items from the war.”
That includes a musket carried by a Union soldier and a chair from General George Gordon Meade’s Gettysburg Headquarters.
Everyone who lives in Pennsylvania should know William Penn’s name. If you don’t, a visit to Memorial Hall will bring you up to date on Penn’s significant contributions. The whole hall is dedicated to the founder of Pennsylvania and has a mural that represents Pennsylvania’s history up to 1964.
And if you want to feel like you’re in 19th century Pennsylvania, take a stroll through their Village Square. It’s built to look like typical town from the 1800s and includes general stores and other shops.
Dunn suggests you plan to spend at least two to three hours at the museum. The entrance fee is $7 dollars for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $5 for kids between the ages of one and 11.
The museum also has a planetarium which features shows throughout the day. The planetarium does not come with the cost of admission, but for $3 more you can get an all-day ticket.
“Our planetarium features shows all throughout the day,” says Dunn. “We recommend people to buy their tickets in advance to the planetarium because if the show has started by the time you buy your ticket you won’t be able to go in and you won’t be refunded.”
In the planetarium you can see how astronomers study the universe and the challenges they face by watching the “We Are Astronomers” film. Another film, “Solar Superstorms,” explains how hurricanes and other severe weather develop and how they affect our planet.
“We have something for everyone,” says Dunn, “The families that do come here really enjoy the museum because we offer cool artifacts and exhibits that you will not find in other museums.”
To learn more, including directions to the museum, Click Here.
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