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Press release:

PHMC’s Historic Sites And Museums To Reopen April 30

03/24/2021

​Visitors, Volunteers, and Staff Must Wear a Face Mask, Social Distance

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced that it will begin welcoming visitors to state-owned historic sites and museumsOpens In A New Window, including The State Museum of PennsylvaniaOpens In A New Window on Friday, April 30 with reduced hours of operation and limited capacity. Operating schedules may vary by site. Please watch our websiteOpens In A New Window and social media for important updates.

PHMC administrative offices, The Pennsylvania State ArchivesOpens In A New Window and the State Historic Preservation OfficeOpens In A New Window will remain closed with staff continuing to work remotely.

As PHMC opens its sites to the public, operations have been adjusted to provide a safer environment for staff, volunteers, and visitors and to prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Although all of PHMC’s facilities are unique and protocols may vary somewhat from site to site, the following guidelines apply at all properties:Face Mask RequiredAll visitors, volunteers, and staff must wear a face mask when entering and while visiting our sites or when near others on the grounds. Based on guidelines from the CDC, face masks have been shown to effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19, so for our safety and that of our visitors, anyone not willing to wear masks will not be admitted.Social Distancing RequiredTo further prevent the spread of COVID-19, all visitors, volunteers, and staff must practice social distancing by remaining 6 feet away from anyone not in your household.  Wearing a face mask is not a substitute for social distancing. Limiting CapacityTo ensure social distancing and keep visitors and our staff safe, we are reducing the capacity of visitors at our sites and museums in accordance with Department of Health guidelines. Hand HygieneVisitors must wash or sanitize their hands with hand sanitizer as they begin their visit at the site’s visitor center and/or house museum.  They should do so again before leaving.  Hand sanitizer will be available at all of our facilities. Visit Later If You Have SymptomsAnyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (including fever, cough, chills, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or loss of taste) should refrain from visiting until they are symptom-free.  We will welcome you back at that time.Cleaning and Disinfecting“High touch” surfaces such as door handles, push plates, railings, switches, countertops, and benches will be disinfected frequently throughout the day.  Restrooms will be cleaned and disinfected several times throughout the day depending on visitation levels.  No events or gatherings, including exhibit openings, special events and facility rentals are scheduled at this time in order to give staff the opportunity to reacclimate to regular operations before holding events.  PHMC will provide an update when they can resume scheduling.  School groups, including groups of homeschoolers, will resume in the fall. For details on what to expect at specific locations, as well as opening dates and hours of operation, please visit the appropriate website: 

• Brandywine Battlefield ParkOpens In A New Window, Chadds Ford
• Bushy Run BattlefieldOpens In A New Window, Jeannette
• Conrad Weiser HomesteadOpens In A New Window, Womelsdorf
• Cornwall Iron FurnaceOpens In A New Window, Cornwall
• Daniel Boone HomesteadOpens In A New Window, Birdsboro
• Drake Well MuseumOpens In A New Window, Titusville
• Eckley Miners’ VillageOpens In A New Window, Weatherly
• Ephrata CloisterOpens In A New Window, Ephrata
• Erie Maritime Museum & Flagship NiagaraOpens In A New Window, Erie
• Fort Pitt MuseumOpens In A New Window, Pittsburgh 
• Graeme ParkOpens In A New Window, Horsham
• Hope LodgeOpens In A New Window, Ft. Washington
• Joseph Priestley HouseOpens In A New Window, Northumberland
• Landis Valley Village & Farm MuseumOpens In A New Window, Lancaster
• Old Economy VillageOpens In A New Window, Ambridge 
• Pennsbury ManorOpens In A New Window, Morrisville
• Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage MuseumOpens In A New Window, Scranton
• Pennsylvania Lumber MuseumOpens In A New Window, Ulysses 
• Pennsylvania Military MuseumOpens In A New Window, Boalsburg
• Pennsylvania State ArchivesOpens In A New Window, Harrisburg
• Railroad Museum of PennsylvaniaOpens In A New Window, Strasburg
• Somerset Historical CenterOpens In A New Window, Somerset
• State Museum Of PennsylvaniaOpens In A New Window, Harrisburg

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more by visiting PHMC onlineOpens In A New Window or following us on FacebookOpens In A New Window, TwitterOpens In A New Window, InstagramOpens In A New Window or LinkedInOpens In A New Window.

Visit the commonwealth’s Responding to COVID-19 guideOpens In A New Window for the latest guidance and resources for Pennsylvanians.