The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg on May 13, 2024. (Jeremy Long - WITF)
Big Changes Ahead for the State Museum of Pennsylvania
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Asia Tabb
The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg on May 13, 2024. (Jeremy Long - WITF)
Aired; July 25th, 2025.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has announced a $55 million, multi-year revitalization of the State Museum of Pennsylvania — the largest investment in the museum’s history since it opened in 1964. The sweeping renovation project is set to begin in spring of 2026 and will include major infrastructure upgrades, accessibility improvements, new exhibit spaces, and even a rooftop event terrace with views of the Susquehanna River and State Capitol.
Executive Director of PHMC Andrea Lowery joined The Spark to share details of the ambitious project and what it means for the future of the museum and for Pennsylvanians.
“This is something that has been on our radar for a while,” Lowery said. “When I became Executive Director in 2017, this was really one of the first big projects I wanted to focus on. The building has not seen a lot of updates since it opened, and I saw a great opportunity to meet modern visitor needs and tell a broader, more compelling Pennsylvania history.”
The museum, located in Harrisburg, will remain open through the America 250 celebrations in 2026 before closing in August of that year for renovations. It is expected to reopen in early 2029. The work includes:
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New wheelchair-accessible elevators (each accommodating 15 people)
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Updated electrical and mechanical systems
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A fully reconfigured first floor with a renovated lobby, gift shop, and new introductory exhibit
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Renovation of half the gallery space with redesigned exhibits
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Upgrades to the PHMC Tower (formerly the State Archives Tower), transforming it into environmentally controlled collections storage
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Creation of a 5,000-square-foot gallery for special and traveling exhibits
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Conversion of the fifth floor into a public event hall with rooftop terrace access
Many of the changes are behind the scenes, aimed at better protecting the museum’s extensive collections.
“We’re responsible for preserving Pennsylvania’s history — and that includes ensuring long-term care for the artifacts we collect,” Lowery said. “Right now, we can control temperature but not humidity in many spaces, which limits what we can safely store or borrow from other institutions. This project allows us to create new environments that will meet today’s standards.”
Among the most anticipated elements is the transformation of the museum’s fifth floor into an event hall and rooftop terrace — a space that has previously been reserved for staff.
“We have a high demand for event space already,” said Lowery. “And the views from up here — the Susquehanna, the Capitol dome — are just stunning. It’s time to open this real estate up to the public.”
The terrace and event space are expected to be a marquee attraction for Central Pennsylvania, capable of hosting weddings, conferences, lectures, and public events.
