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State Museum of Pennsylvania

Coordinates: 40°15′56″N 76°53′09″W / 40.265672°N 76.885812°W / 40.265672; -76.885812
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The State Museum of Pennsylvania
The State Museum of Pennsylvania at 300 North Street in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Map
Former name
William Penn Memorial Museum
EstablishedMarch 28, 1905 (1905-03-28)
Location300 North St, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US
Coordinates40°15′56″N 76°53′09″W / 40.265672°N 76.885812°W / 40.265672; -76.885812
TypeHistory museum
CollectionsPennsylvania cultural and natural history
Collection size3 million
Public transit accessN 3rd St & North St, CAT
Nearest parkingMetered parking
Websitestatemuseumpa.org
Association of Science-Technology Centers

The State Museum of Pennsylvania is a non-profit history museum at 300 North Street in downtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. It is run by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to preserve and interpret the Commonwealth's history and culture.[1] It is a part of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex.


History

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On March 28, 1905, Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker signed legislation establishing the museum for "the preservation of objects illustrating the flora and fauna of the state, and its mineralogy, geology, archeology, arts and history."[2] The State Museum of Pennsylvania mission statement was influenced by the many other state museums that were already established, including those in New York, Illinois, and Indiana.

Later in 1905, Pennypacker signed Act 481, giving the museum $20,000 in startup funding for its creation. On March 1, 1907, the museum staff and collection moved into the Executive Office Building. It became part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1945 and moved to its present building in 1964. It is located adjacent to the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The building is round, and the museum exhibits are on its ground, first, second, and third floors. The museum staff's offices and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission are on the fourth and fifth floors.[1]

In 2014, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[3]

Exhibits

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The museum's central hall features a large statue of William Penn, who founded the Province of Pennsylvania in 1681 during the British colonial era.[4]

The museum includes a multi-media planetarium, as well as four floors of exhibits and displays covering Pennsylvania history from prehistoric times through current events. Visitation averages 315,000 people annually. Among the features are an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibitions related to the American Civil War and an extensive collection of industrial and technological innovations, including artwork, paintings, dioramas, and other audio-visuals aid in the interpretation.

There are over three million objects in the museum's collections.[1] The museum has many exhibits that showcase Pennsylvania history. The state museum divided its exhibits into three categories; permanent, changing, and online.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Silverman, Sharon (2005). The State Museum of Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Trail of History Guide. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-3214-2.
  2. ^ Smith, Eric (2005). "The State Museum of Pennsylvania: A Centennial History, 1905–2005" (PDF). Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  3. ^ "NRHP list of weekly actions, 7/28/14 through 8/1/14". National Park Service. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Exhibits". The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
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