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 museums, including The State Museum of Pennsylvania on Friday, April 30 with reduced hours of operation and limited capacity. Operating schedules may vary by site. Please watch our website and social media for important updates.
PHMC administrative offices, The Pennsylvania State Archives and the State Historic Preservation Office 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 Required
All 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 Required
To 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 Capacity
To 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 Hygiene
Visitors 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 Symptoms
Anyone 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 Park, Chadds Ford
- Bushy Run Battlefield, Jeannette
- Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf
- Cornwall Iron Furnace, Cornwall
- Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro
- Drake Well Museum, Titusville
- Eckley Miners’ Village, Weatherly
- Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata
- Erie Maritime Museum & Flagship Niagara, Erie
- Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh
- Graeme Park, Horsham
- Hope Lodge, Ft. Washington
- Joseph Priestley House, Northumberland
- Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster
- Old Economy Village, Ambridge
- Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville
- Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton
- Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Ulysses
- Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg
- Pennsylvania State Archives, Harrisburg
- Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg
- Somerset Historical Center, Somerset
- State Museum Of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more by visiting PHMC online or following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Visit the commonwealth's Responding to COVID-19 guide for the latest guidance and resources for Pennsylvanians.
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639