Harrisburg, PA - Today the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) announced that it has joined other museums across the country in Museums for All, a signature access program of the Association of Children’s Museums and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to encourage families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits. PHMC is committed to making sure everyone can experience the best that its state-operated museums have to offer at the most affordable prices.
The program will enable low-income families to explore Pennsylvania’s rich history and culture by visiting participating state-owned museums such as The State Museum of Pennsylvania, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the Erie Maritime Museum, and Pennsbury Manor for a minimal fee of $2 per person with the presentation of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and identification. This offer is for general admission only and excludes special programs or events.
“At PHMC, we believe a visit to a museum or historic site can inspire the development of new skills and interests, ignite creativity, and enrich social connections,” said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. “By removing the financial barrier, Museums for All represents a long stride toward the goal of reaching more children and parents and inviting them to take advantage of the valuable learning resources of museums.”
Museums for All, advances the goals of PHMC’s 21st-Century Task Force, an agency-wide effort to set in place policies and procedures that eliminate obstacles to participation by the diverse people who live and work in Pennsylvania. The task force’s goal is to foster a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion, and access in everything the agency does, from programs offered to the staff and volunteers who deliver them.
Participating museums include:
Anthracite Heritage Museum
Scranton
570-963-4804
Brandywine Battlefield Park
Chadds Ford
610-459-3342
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Cornwall
717-272-9711
Drake Well Museum & Park
Titusville
814-827-2797
Eckley Miners’ Village
Weatherly
570-636-2070
Ephrata Cloister
Ephrata
717-733-6600
Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Erie
814-452-2744
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Lancaster
717-569-0401
Old Economy Village
Ambridge
724-266-4500
Pennsbury Manor
Morrisville
215-946-0400
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Ulysses
814-435-2652
Pennsylvania Military Museum
Boalsburg
814-466-6263
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Strasburg
717-687-8628
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Harrisburg
717-787-4980
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov.
The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) believes that in an increasingly complex world, children’s museums provide a place where all kids can learn through play and exploration with the caring adults in their lives. ACM provides leadership, professional development, advocacy and resources for its member organizations and individuals. To learn more about ACM visit www.ChildrensMuseums.org.
The Pennsylvania Trails of History comprises museums and historic sites administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, organized along four theme-based “trails” crossing the commonwealth: Military, Industrial, Historic Home, and Rural Farm and Village. Visitors are invited to explore one or more of the trails to learn more about the people, places and events that make Pennsylvania so special. To find out more about Pennsylvania’s historic sites and museums visit www.PATrailsofHistory.com.
Media Contact: Howard Pollman 717-705-8639