Harrisburg, PA – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for September 2018:
Archaeology at Kipona, Saturday, September 1 – Monday, September 3, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Archaeology staff of The State Museum will be on hand at the Kipona celebration on Harrisburg’s City Island, where they will feature the popular dugout canoe and discuss the archaeology of the island. The event is free to the public.
Archaeology at Fort Hunter, Weekdays, September 5 through October 5
The Section of Archaeology will conduct its annual excavation at Fort Hunter Mansion & Park. This year they will focus on the north side of the mansion where there is a deposit of late 18th-century and early 19th-century artifacts, probably associated with the McAllister occupation, and below it is stratified Indian occupations. The public is welcome to visit and meet the on-site archaeologists on weekdays between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Fort Hunter Mansion & Park is located at 5300 North Front Street in Harrisburg.
StoryTime: Walter’s Wonderful Web by Tim Hopgood, Friday, September 7, 10:00 AM
The children’s book Walter’s Wonderful Web, a story about a very determined little spider, will be read in the museum’s Ecology Hall. The reading will be followed by a spider web game, and children can take home a spider web craft. StoryTime is the museum’s popular reading series for children aged 3 to 5. Each reading is held in one of the museum’s galleries and is followed by a related play activity or exploration of hands-on artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
Learn at Lunchtime: Art of the State, Friday, September 7, 12:15 PM
The museum’s art docents will lead a final tour of the 51st annual Art of the State exhibition. Art of the State is recognized as the official statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. Jurors selected artwork from five categories: Craft, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Work on Paper. The exhibit includes 103 works by 99 artists from 27 counties and is presented by Jump Street and The State Museum of Pennsylvania. The exhibit closes September 9, 2018. Learn at Lunchtime is included with general admission.
Gallery Walk, Sunday, September 9, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The museum will participate in the 30th Annual Gallery Walk with other Harrisburg organizations. Museum hours will be extended for this event. General admission is free for the day.
Artist Conversations, Sunday, September 9, 2:00 PM
State Museum Director Beth Hager and artist Isaac Pelepko will lead a casual tour of Art of the State, sharing their insights on the show. Pelepko’s painting The Cute Parade is this year’s first place award winner for painting. Art of the State is recognized as the official statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. Jurors selected artwork from five categories: Craft, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Work on Paper. The exhibit includes 103 works by 99 artists from 27 counties and is presented by Jump Street and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Nature Lab: Pennsylvania Wild Canines, Thursday, September 13, 11:30 AM
Museum educators will explore wild dogs in Pennsylvania — coyotes, red and gray foxes, and timber wolves — emphasizing how these canines vary in habitat, stature, and lifestyle. Pelts, skulls, and other hands-on objects will be on display. This presentation is designed for general audiences, ages 7 and up, and is included with general admission to the museum.
Learn at Lunchtime: Tim Palmer, Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches, Friday, September 14, 12:15 PM
Award-winning author and photographer Tim Palmer will present a slide show based on his 2018 book, Twilight of the Hemlocks and Beeches, published by Penn State University Press. With stunning photographs taken throughout the range of the eastern hemlock and American beech, the author shows the irreplaceable beauty of these magnificent trees, and he explains the invasion of exotic insects and pathogens that are tragically decimating one of the most beloved forest types in eastern America. This program is part of a partnership between Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Curiosity Kids: Walk Like the Animals, Thursday, September 20, 11:30 AM
In this program for the museum’s youngest visitors, held in Nature Lab, children will explore animal footprints and learn to walk like the animals. Curiosity Kids bridges the fun of Curiosity Connection with the wonders of The State Museum. Museum educators guide adults and their children, ages 3 to 6, on trips through history. Hands-on experiments in science and art offer enlightening views of the world. Curiosity Kids programs are included with general admission and are funded in part by a grant from the Joseph T. and Helen M. Simpson Foundation.
3rd in the Burg: Archaeology at Fort Hunter, Friday, September 21, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Dr. Kurt Carr, the museum’s senior curator of archaeology will appear at Fort Hunter Mansion & Park to present this year’s archaeological excavation. Carr will also discuss the last 10 years of excavations at the site. Fort Hunter Mansion & Park is located at 5300 North Front Street in Harrisburg.
The State Museum Celebrates the 50th Anniversary and Renovation of Mammal Hall, September 26 - 30
To celebrate the recently completed renovation of Mammal Hall, one of The State Museum’s most beloved exhibits, museum curators, educators and special guests will present a series of Learn at Lunchtime tours, Nature Lab and Curiosity Kids programs, a new children’s planetarium show, and a new exhibit titled Restoring Mammal Hall: A 50th Anniversary Profile. This week-long celebration culminates with a public rededication ceremony on Sunday, September 30 at 2:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. During the celebration admission to The State Museum will be $5.00 for adults and children.
The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering two shows from September 5 through November 25:
STARS (Grade 4 and up), Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:00 AM; Saturday, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM; Sunday, 1:00 PM
Every star has a story. Some stars are very old, faint and almost forgotten. Others burn bright and end their lives in powerful explosions. Through every phase of their existence, stars release the energy that powers the universe. This program travels to the furthest reaches of our galaxy and reveals both the awesome beauty and destructive power of stars. Narrated by Mark Hamill. Please note that STARS will not be showing the week of September 26 - 30 due to special programming.
We Are Astronomers (Grade 4 and up), Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 1:00 PM; Saturday, 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM; Sunday, 2:00 PM
This exciting show reveals the global collaboration, technology and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the universe. The show explores how astronomers use the electromagnetic spectrum to study the universe, features astronomers discussing the challenges they face in sharing and storing data, and gives an up-close look at new technologies like the James Webb Telescope and the Large Hadron Collider. Narrated by David Tennant.
Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission. Members of the State Museum Affiliate and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation are admitted free.
ABOUT THE STATE MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA
The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 24 historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania’s fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary eras, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America’s story.
Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Admission is $7 for adults (ages 12-64), $6 for senior citizens (ages 65 and up), and $5 for children (ages 1-11).
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639