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Museum membership guide
Top 20 places in Pennsylvania for History
byShiry
Live update: Updated February 15, 2022Copy link
Copy link1. Independence Seaport Museum ("IDs)
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
ShiryIndependence Seaport Museum deepens the understanding, appreciation and experience of the Philadelphia region’s waterways through history, science, and art, plus experiences on the water. Dive into River Alive!, a new exhibit that brings the wildlife, science, and wonder of the Delaware River up close. Raise the sails and discover the history of the U.S. Navy aboard Schooner Diligence and our National Historic Landmark ships, Cruiser Olympia and Submarine Becuna. Observe live demonstrations in the Museum’s boatbuilding workshop and get hands-on with science, technology, engineering, and math in our Citizen Science Lab and MakerSpace. Uncover the past with one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America and experience the river with seasonal boat rentals and on-water tours. With so much to explore, Independence Seaport Museum is the premier, family-friendly destination on the Penn’s Landing Waterfront.
2. Adams County Historical Society
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Adams County Historical Society is a research archives located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It is the home of the Battle of Gettysburg research center.
3. African American Museum in Philadelphia
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe African American Museum in Philadelphia engages diverse communities in appreciating the Black experience through the narrative of art, history, and culture.
4. Arts & Education at the Hoyt
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryIgnite your imagination in Hoyt East! Every inch of the 7500 sq. ft. building houses classrooms, galleries and studios. Be inspired by arts, language and music classes throughout the year. Or check out the website for a robust schedule of exhibits, concerts, festivals, school programs and after-school programs. Guests are often enchanted by our collection of Shenango China, once produced for royalty, presidents, hotels, and railroads. The display also features Shenango’s museum line debuted by Eva Zeisel at the Museum of Modern Art in 1946. Other public spaces boast the contemporary works of Wolf Kahn, Romare Bearden, Robert Motherwell, Ed Eberle and many others. Lastly, shop the museum gift shop while you are here for original, handcrafted wares by area artists and artisans.
5. Eastern State Penitentiary
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryEastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Eastern State Penitentiary is open every day, 10 am to 5 pm. Admission includes “The Voices of Eastern State” Audio Tours, guided tours, Hands-On History interactive experiences, and a critically acclaimed series of artist installations.
6. Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science and Art
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Everhart Museum is one of the region’s leading resources for educational and cultural opportunities. With a multidisciplinary and diverse approach, the Everhart creates extraordinary experiences. Our programs stimulate creative expression and active engagement between art and science. Whether you attend a lecture, workshop, or studio course, our classes are designed for all ages, interests, and abilities.
7. Hanover Area Historical Society
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Hanover Area Historical Society’s mission is to protect and promote the historical heritage of the greater Hanover area. In 1974 the Society purchased and restored the Neas House. In October, 2007 the Society was given the Warehime-Myers Mansion at 305 Baltimore Street
8. LancasterHistory
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryRecommended this place!
9. Museum of the American Revolution
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Museum of the American Revolution tells the complete story of the American Revolution using its distinguished collection of objects, artifacts, artwork, and manuscripts. Permanent and special exhibition galleries, theaters, and large-scale tableaux bring to life the original “greatest generation,” and engage people in the history and continuing relevance of the American Revolution. The Museum is located steps away from Independence Hall, Carpenter’s Hall, Franklin Court, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution. It serves as a portal to the nation’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context and encouraging explorations that begin at the Museum’s doorstep.
10. National Museum of American Jewish History
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryRecommended this place!
11. Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks/Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks is an 87 year old non-profit that is dedicated to maintaining and preserving its four historic house museums: the Powel House, Grumblethorpe Historic House and Garden, Hill-Physick House and Historic Waynesborough.
12. Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks/Powel House
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Powel House, built in 1765, was home to Samuel Powel who was the last mayor of colonial Philadelphia and first mayor of the city after the revolutionary war and his wife, Elizabeth Powel, confidant of General Washington.
13. The Frick Pittsburgh
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryExperience the culture and refinement of the Gilded Age at The Frick Pittsburgh, located on beautifully landscaped gardens in Pittsburgh’s East End. The museum and its multiple collections are the legacy of Helen Clay Frick, daughter of Henry Clay Frick, one of America’s greatest industrialists and art collectors. Here, one can view fine and decorative arts and artifacts, magnificent exhibitions and vintage cars and carriages, take part in educational programs and concerts, enjoy fine dining and more.
14. Laurel Hill Cemetery
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryIn 1978, Drayton and Jane Smith, and John Francis Marion founded the Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery. The Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was established to support the cemetery. The mission of the Friends is to preserve, protect, and promote the historical and visual character of Laurel Hill Cemetery through progressive interpretation, education, and fundraising. In addition to developing and implementing educational programs at the cemetery, the Friends sponsor special events, including Laurel Hill’s famous Halloween festivities, and offer both public and private tours of the site, often in collaboration with local school, nonprofit groups, and historical organizations.
15. National Constitution Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryRecommended this place!
16. National Museum of Industrial History
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe mission of the National Museum of Industrial History is to forge a connection between America’s industrial past and the innovations of today by educating the public and inspiring the visionaries of tomorrow. Housed in a restored 100-year-old former Bethlehem Steel facility on the largest private brownfield in America, the Museum is home to exciting exhibits and engaging programs which tell the story of America’s industrial achievements and the accomplishments of our workers, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
17. Thomas T. Taber Museum
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Thomas T. Taber Museum of the Lycoming County Historical Society is ‘where history comes alive.’ Explore the pre-history, history, and culture of the largest County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through a series of exhibits, galleries, period rooms, and temporary exhibits. And, a highlight of any tour, the LaRue Shempp Model Train exhibits over three hundred model trains and two working layouts.
18. National Liberty Museum
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe National Liberty Museum brings Liberty to life through stories of people whose character and courage have expanded liberty for all in order to educate and inspire visitors to think about liberty as an ongoing human quest.
19. Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Sigal Museum property tells an interesting history common to the evolution of old downtowns; with its design and function changing with the times: from family home to Opera House to Bridal Salon to history museum.
20. The Rosenbach
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:ShiryThe Rosenbach offers exhibits, programs, tours, and researching opportunities centered on rare books, manuscripts, and art.
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