Pennsylvania Historical Sites to Celebrate International Museum Day

Whether it's climbing aboard the U.S. Brig Niagara, following in the footsteps of George Washington, resting on wooden pillows at the Ephrata Cloister, or visiting the site of the first commercial oil well, history comes alive at Pennsylvania's historical sites.
In celebration of these diverse experiences and International Museum Day, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) today announced it will offer a "buy one general admission, get one general admission free" deal on Sunday, May 18.

International Museum Day is sponsored by the International Council of Museums and has been celebrated all over the world since 1977 in recognition of the role of museums as an important means of cultural exchange, cultural enrichment and development of mutual understanding.
"The epic stories of our nation's history come alive at Pennsylvania's historical sites and museums through stunning exhibits, living history programs, and hands-on demonstrations," said Barbara Franco, PHMC executive director. "On this special day - and every day - we invite visitors to experience our sites to learn more about themselves and what the past can teach them about our culture and current events."

Participating PHMC sites, by region, include:
-- Philadelphia and its Countryside - Brandywine Battlefield; Bushy Run
Battlefield; Pennsbury Manor; Graeme Park; Hope Lodge and Mather Mill;
and Washington Crossing Historic Park.
-- Pittsburgh and its Countryside - Fort Pitt Museum; Somerset Historical
Center; and Old Economy Village.
-- The Alleghenies and her Valleys - Pennsylvania Military Museum; Joseph
Priestley House.
-- Dutch Country Roads - The State Museum of Pennsylvania; Conrad Weiser
Homestead; Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania; Ephrata Cloister; Cornwall
Iron Furnace; and Landis Valley Museum.
-- Northeast Pennsylvania Mountains - Scranton Iron Furnaces; Eckley
Miners' Village; and Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum.
-- Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region - Drake Well Museum; Erie Maritime
Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara.
-- Pennsylvania Wilds - Pennsylvania Lumber Museum.

For more information about these sites and PHMC's Trails of History program, please visit http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/.