One thing always on our list whenever we visit a city is museums. If we are visiting a state capital, we make an effort to visit state museums, which offer some of the best collections and history for the region.
The State Mueseum of Pennsylvania is a beautiful building in Harrisburg, PA. We visited Harrisburg in August 2018, as part of a larger trip to Gettysburg (which will be a separate blog). It is part of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, about .1 of a mile from the Capitol steps.
The museum boasts the PA Mural and a statue of William Penn in the main entry.
The museum also displays The Gettysburg Address.
The main gallery walls are adorned with quotes from state leaders such as William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and Andrew Carnegie.
Permanent exhibits include the Civil War, the PA Turnpike, Civil Rights, and Native Americans. Like most state museums, the exhibits also include geology and animals of the state and, of course, a museum store.
This was one of the first state museums we visited on a vacation. It started a new “must see” for us whenever we visit a capital or large city.
If you are ever short on time during a visit, and a state museum is accessible, it is almost definitely worth the trip. Rather than visit separate museums for history, art, and science of the area, a state museum will roll all of that into one building. It is a great way to learn a bit about the sites and people you’ll meet during your stay.
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