List of museums in Pennsylvania facts for kids

Pennsylvania is a state in the United States with many amazing places to explore! This list tells you about museums in Pennsylvania. Museums are special places where people collect and take care of interesting objects. These objects can be about history, art, science, or different cultures. Museums let you see these collections and learn new things.

Awesome Museums to Explore

Pennsylvania has all kinds of museums. You can find everything from old cars to cool science exhibits!

Travel Through Time: History and Old Homes

• 1719 Hans Herr House & Museum in Willow Street: Step back in time to see how people lived long ago. This museum shows you Mennonite history and farm life from the 1700s and 1800s.
• Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site in Gallitzin: Discover the history of early railroads! This park has an old engine house and a historic tavern from the mid-1800s.
• Daniel Boone Homestead in Birdsboro: Visit the childhood home of famous pioneer Daniel Boone. It's an outdoor museum where you can see what life was like in colonial times.
• Ephrata Cloister in Ephrata: Explore one of America's first religious communities, started in 1732. You can see the old buildings and learn about their unique way of life.
• Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Elverson: Learn about how iron was made in the 1800s. Sometimes, you can even see people showing how things were done back then!
• Old Economy Village in Ambridge: This is a historic village that shows how the Harmony Society, a religious group, lived and worked in the 1800s.
• Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville: Visit the home of William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania! It's a beautiful historic house and grounds.
• Conrad Weiser Homestead in Womelsdorf: See the colonial home of Conrad Weiser, an important person in early Pennsylvania history.

Cool Cars, Trains, and Planes

• AACA Museum in Hershey: If you love cars, this is the place! It's also called the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum. You can see vintage cars, buses, and motorcycles.
• Air Heritage Museum in Beaver Falls: Check out restored aircraft at this aviation museum.
• America On Wheels in Allentown: Another great spot for car lovers, focusing on the history of transportation.
• American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester: See over 35 different types of helicopters, from civilian to military models.
• Bicycle Heaven in Pittsburgh: This free museum has an amazing collection of 30,000 vintage and movie bicycles, including one from the movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure.
• Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles in Boyertown: Discover all kinds of road transportation, from horse-drawn wagons to early cars and bicycles.
• Drake Well Museum in Titusville: Learn about the very beginning of the modern oil industry. See old oil field machines and historic buildings.
• Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton: Ride and learn about historic trolleys!
• Horseshoe Curve in Altoona: Visit a visitor center with displays and amazing views of the famous railroad horseshoe curve.
• Mack Trucks Museum in Allentown: Explore the history of Mack Trucks and see their impressive vehicles.
• Mid-Atlantic Air Museum in Reading: See historic war planes, classic airliners, and other rare aircraft.
• National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg: This museum has interactive displays of toy trains from the 1800s to today.
• Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington: Another fantastic place to see and learn about trolleys.
• Piper Aviation Museum in Lock Haven: Discover the history of Piper Aircraft and aviation.
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg: A huge museum dedicated to the history of railroads in Pennsylvania.
• Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona: Learn about the people who built and worked on the railroads.
• Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton: Explore the story of steam railroading from 1850 to 1950.

Science, Kids' Fun, and Unique Finds

• American Treasure Tour in Oaks: This museum has a huge collection of cool stuff! You can see old musical machines, classic cars, movie posters, circus art, and dolls.
• Amish Experience in Bird-in-Hand: Learn about modern Amish life by visiting an Amish homestead and a one-room schoolhouse.
• Antique Ice Tool Museum in West Chester: A unique private museum showing tools, vehicles, and iceboxes from the history of the ice trade.
• Bayernhof Music Museum in O'Hara Township: Listen to automated musical instruments from the 1800s and 1900s.
• Big Mac Museum Restaurant in North Huntingdon: A fun tribute to the famous Big Mac burger and its inventor.
• Crayola Experience in Easton: Get creative with interactive stations and learn about the history of Crayola art products.
• Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown: A hands-on science center where you can explore and experiment.
• DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin: Enjoy antique mechanical musical instruments like music boxes and player pianos.
• Delaware County Institute of Science in Media: A natural history museum with mounted birds, animals, fossils, shells, and insects.
• expERIEnce Children's Museum in Erie: A children's museum with interactive displays for young learners.
• Hands-on House in Lancaster: Also known as the Children's Museum of Lancaster, it offers interactive fun for kids.
• Hershey Story in Hershey: Learn about the history of Milton S. Hershey and the delicious chocolate he created.
• Hershey's Chocolate World in Hershey: Discover how chocolate is made and enjoy some sweet treats!
• Houdini Museum in Scranton: Explore the life and magic of the famous escape artist Harry Houdini. They even have magic shows!
• Johnstown Children's Museum in Johnstown: Located in the Heritage Discovery Center, this museum has interactive displays about Johnstown's history and culture.
• Lancaster Science Factory in Lancaster: A great place for kids to explore science through hands-on exhibits.
• Museum of Indian Culture in Allentown: Learn about the early history and culture of the Lenape and other American Indian tribes.
• National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia: Discover the fascinating world of timekeeping with a huge collection of watches and clocks.
• Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train in Ashland: Take a tour of an actual coal mine and ride a narrow-gauge steam train!
• Pocono Indian Museum in Bushkill: Learn about the history of the Delaware Indian people.
• Quaint Corner Children's Museum in Altoona: A fun children's museum with lots to see and do.
• Randyland in Pittsburgh: This is a colorful outdoor art museum created by artist Randy Gilson, featuring brightly painted houses and public art.
• Roadside America in Shartlesville: See a miniature village and railway with incredible detail.
• Sculpted Ice Works Factory Tour & Ice Harvest Museum in Lakeville: Learn about how ice was harvested in the past and how modern ice sculptures are made.
• The Stoogeum in Ambler: This museum is entirely dedicated to The Three Stooges!
• Toy Soldier Museum in Cresco: See amazing displays of toy soldiers, battle scenes, and civilian life.
• Weather Discovery Center in Punxsutawney: Explore weather stories, exhibits, and demonstrations.

Art and Culture

• Allentown Art Museum in Allentown: See beautiful European and American paintings, textiles, and drawings.
• Berman Museum of Art in Collegeville: Part of Ursinus College, this museum has over 4,000 pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, and cultural objects.
• Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford: Focuses on American art, especially from the Brandywine region, and features art from three generations of the N. C. Wyeth family.
• Demuth Museum in Lancaster: See paintings by the American artist Charles Demuth.
• Erie Art Museum in Erie: Explore a variety of art collections.
• Everhart Museum in Scranton: This museum has a mix of art, natural history, and objects from different cultures around the world.
• Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn: Discover religious art and history from many different faiths.
• James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown: Celebrates the art and culture of the Bucks County region. They also have a satellite location in New Hope.
• Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton: See French, German, English, and American paintings from the 1700s and 1800s.
• Palmer Museum of Art in University Park: Part of Penn State University, with collections of American, European, and Asian art, plus ancient objects.
• Reading Public Museum in Reading: This museum has a wide range of collections, including art, natural history, and a planetarium.
• Susquehanna Art Museum in Harrisburg: Features contemporary art.
• Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg: See works by important American artists like Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer.
• Wharton Esherick Museum in Malvern: Visit the studio of wood sculptor Wharton Esherick.

Military History

• Braddock's Battlefield History Center in North Braddock: Learn about the Braddock Expedition and the French and Indian War.
• Brandywine Battlefield Park in Chadds Ford: This park marks the site of the Battle of Brandywine during the American Revolution.
• Bushy Run Battlefield in Penn Township: Learn about this important battlefield.
• Eldred World War II Museum in Eldred: See exhibits about World War II.
• Fort Bedford Museum in Bedford: Explore a British military fort from the French and Indian War era.
• Fort Ligonier in Ligonier: Visit a recreated mid-1700s British fort from the French and Indian War.
• Fort Necessity National Battlefield in Uniontown: This site remembers the first military battle of the French and Indian War.
• Fort Roberdeau in Altoona: See a reconstructed American Revolutionary War fort with log cabins and exhibits.
• Gettysburg National Military Park in Gettysburg: This huge park marks the site of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. It includes a museum, visitor center, and many monuments.
• National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg: Learn about the American Civil War.
• Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg: Tells the stories of Pennsylvanians who served in the military.
• Pennsylvania Veterans Museum in Media: Honors America's veterans.
• Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg: Focuses on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg and the hospital used in the building.
• U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle: Explore the history of the U.S. Army.
• Valley Forge National Historical Park in Valley Forge: Visit the site where George Washington and his army camped during the American Revolutionary War.
• Washington Crossing Historic Park in Washington Crossing: This park marks the spot where George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River during the American Revolutionary War.

Defunct Museums (No Longer Open)

Some museums have closed over the years. For example, the American Civil War Wax Museum in Gettysburg is no longer open, and its collections are now at the Gettysburg Heritage Center. The Marx Toy Museum in Erie also closed its physical location and is now only online.

See also

• Nature Centers in Pennsylvania
• List of historical societies in Pennsylvania

Resources

• Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
• Pennsylvania Federation of Museums and Historical Organizations