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WELCOME BACK to PHMC 

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) will open all of its state-owned historic sites and museums, including The State Museum of Pennsylvania , to the public on Friday, April 30  with reduced hours of operation and limited capacity. 

Operating schedules may vary by site. Please visit PHMC online or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn for important updates.

PHMC administrative offices and the State Historic Preservation Office will remain closed with staff continuing to work remotely. 


What to Expect at Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Facilities

As we open our sites to the public, we will need to adjust our operations to provide a safer environment for staff, volunteers and visitors and to prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19.  Although all of our facilities are unique and protocols may vary somewhat from site to site, the following guidelines apply at all properties.

Face Mask Masking

Museums and Building Interiors
All visitors, volunteers, and staff must wear a face mask when entering and while visiting our museums and building interiors. For our safety and that of our visitors, especially our younger visitors who are not yet eligible for the vaccine, anyone not willing to wear masks will not be admitted.

Outdoor Areas, Grounds
Masking not required for vaccinated visitors.  Masks are required for unvaccinated visitors when in crowds but not when recreating individually or in a household group with sustained social distancing.  

Social Distance  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 according to Department of Health guidelines. 

Hand Hygiene 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. 

Symptoms 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 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.   


Site-specific Information

For details on what to expect at specific locations, as well as opening dates and times, please visit the appropriate website:


Other Items

Events & Gatherings
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
School groups, including groups of homeschoolers, will resume in the fall. 

Summer Camps
Summer camps will resume no earlier than July. 

Large Outdoor Fall Events
PHMC plans to permit larger events in the fall in accordance with capacity restrictions and mitigation guidelines.

Marker Dedications
Marker dedications will resume in April in accordance with capacity restrictions and mitigation guidelines. 

Visit the commonwealth's Responding to COVID-19 guide for the latest guidance and resources for Pennsylvanians. 



 

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What to Expect