Located on Third Street right beside the Capital Building, the State Museum of Pennsylvania is a fantastic way for local families to enjoy planetarium shows, learn more about Pennsylvania history and notable residents, enjoy a special play area for ages 5 & under, and so much more. The State Museum of Pennsylvania is a fantastic resource for homeschool families and is a great way to spend a day together as a family.
Check below to see all of the special activities offered - in addition to the fantastic displays throughout the museum.
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering two shows from June 1 through September 1.
- Who Am I? (Pre-K to Grade 2), Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:00 AM; Saturday, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM It has many names, can be mysterious, and always looks right at us but doesn’t always show its face. It’s the moon, and life would be very different without it. This show, designed for young children by the Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, is all about the moon.
- Apollo 11: Man’s First Step Onto The Moon (Grade 4 and up), Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 1:00 PM; Saturday, 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM; Sunday, 2:00 PM The Apollo 11 moon landing was one of the most momentous times in history. This show, produced by Jenks Planetarium, follows the small steps and giant leaps made by the astronauts as they land on the moon’s surface for the first time.''
- Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission. Members of the State Museum Affiliate and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation are admitted free.
- Planetarium shows are subject to change without prior notification. Please check the event calendar at www.statemuseumpa.org for the latest show dates and times.
Nature Labs
This Summer, The State Museum of Pennsylvania will offer visitors the opportunity to engage with museum curators and representatives of various Pennsylvania state agencies through its Summer 2019 Nature Lab series. This program will be presented every Wednesday and Thursday at 11:30 AM, June 26 through August 21, and is included with general admission. CLICK HERE to see the Nature Lab series schedule.
Pay As You Wish Fridays
Fridays during the Summer are "Pay as You Wish". From June 21 - August 23 join the State Museum of Pennsylvania for Learn at Lunchtime and to enjoy admission at a rate that is comfortable for your wallet.
Learn at Lunchtime
The State Museum of Pennsylvania is offering special programming every Friday, June 21 - August 23 for the Learn at Lunchtime summer program. The topics covered include space, artwork, biology, wild animals and much more! CLICK HERE to see the full schedule.
Storytime at the Curiosity Connection
StoryTime is our popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5 and their family. Each storytime is held in one of the museum galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of related hands-on artifacts. Storytime is included in regular museum admission.
- June 7, 10:30am - "In What a Treasure" by Jane and Will Hillenbrand, we find out what Mole discovers when he uses his new shovel to dig for treasure.
- July 5, 10:30am - Meet in the Planetarium to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, where we'll "Man on the Moon" by Anastasia Suen.
- August 2, 10:30am - We'll be reading "Mix it Up!" by Herve Tullet, as we celebrate Art of the State
- September 6, 10:30am - Join us in Ecology Hall as we read "Because of an Acron" by Lola M. Schaefer
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