Smithsonian Museum Day 2020: Participating Pennsylvania Museums

PENNSYLVANIA — April 4 is Museum Day, a nationwide initiative when participating museums in Pennsylvania and across the United States allow visitors to experience offerings for free.

The 16th annual event, organized by Smithsonian Magazine, is intended to encourage museums, zoos and cultural centers to emulate the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities, which offer free admission year-round.

More than 1,200 museums in all 50 states are expected to take part in this year’s Museum Day. Those wishing to visit a local museum that day should go to Smithsonian Magazine’s website, locate a museum and download a ticket. Each ticket ensures complimentary access to the holder and one guest.

Here are the participating museums in Pennsylvania:

• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Smithsonian Affiliate Museum)
• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Galeton, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Old Economy Village, Ambridge, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Venango Museum of Art, Science and Industry, Oil City, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum, Altoona, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Burning of the Bridge Diorama, Wrightsville, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Warehime-Myers Mansion, Hanover, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Allentown, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Terre Hill Area Historical Society, Terre Hill, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sigal Museum, Easton, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, Petersburg, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Isett Heritage Museum, Huntingdon, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Historic Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Smithsonian Affiliate Museum)
• Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), Philadelphia, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Lititz Historical Foundation, Lititz, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Reading Area Fire Museum, Reading, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Allentown Art Museum, Allentown, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The theme for this year’s Museum Day is Earth Optimism, which showcases events and exhibits on conservation and sustainability from a perspective of hope, according to a news release from Smithsonian Magazine.