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    State Museum of Pennsylvania Announces October Highlights

    September 21, 2016

    Harrisburg, PA – The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for October 2017:

    Pennsylvania Turnpike Event, Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 PM
    Join us for an insider’s historical look at the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The event will take place at The Pennsylvania Turnpike: America’s First Superhighway, an award-winning exhibit that is part of the museum’s popular second-floor Transportation and Industry Gallery. Dr. Curt Miner, Senior Curator of History, will provide an overview of the turnpike and its creation, history and folklore. Participants are encouraged to share their turnpike memories. This event is included with general admission; seating will be limited. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register by September 27. Please RSVP to RA-PHSTATEMUSEUM@pa.gov or 717-783-5736.
     
    Archaeology at Fort Hunter, October 2 - October 6
    The Section of Archaeology will finish its annual excavation at Fort Hunter between October 2 and October 6. The public is welcome to visit. Archaeologists will be on site weekdays between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
     
    StoryTime: Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop by Alexina B. White - Friday, October 6 at 10:00 AM
    Join us in Ecology Hall to learn about squirrels and enjoy our story, Frisky Brisky Hippity Hop by Alexina B. White. Sing a silly squirrel song and make a squirrel treat to take home.  StoryTime is our popular series for children 3-5 years old. Each reading is held in a gallery and is followed by a related play activity or hands-on exploration of artifacts. StoryTime is included with general admission.
     
    National Fossil Day, Wednesday, October 11, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
    Join us in celebrating National Fossil Day on Wednesday, October 11 in the Paleontology Gallery. This year’s theme is “Who’s That Lurking in the Paleozoic?”
     
    11:30 AM – 12:00 Noon –  Nature Lab: Fossil Making for ages 3 to 5 years old.
    12:15 PM – 1:00 PM – Join State Museum Paleontologist Steve Jasinski to discuss the Paleozoic Era.
     
    This event is included with general admission to the museum. National Fossil Day is hosted by the National Park Service and the American Geosciences Institute during Earth Science Week.
     
    Night of the Great Pumpkin, Friday, October 13, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Join us for Night of the Great Pumpkin on Friday, October 13, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This family-friendly Halloween celebration features educational activities, crafts, games and a treat bag. New York children’s musician Louie Miranda will also be performing in Memorial Hall. His music features original and traditional songs with an educational and interactive component.
    Night of the Great Pumpkin tickets are limited and may be purchased in advance. Discounted tickets will be available for purchase prior to 4:00 PM on Wednesday, October 11. Please call the reservationist at 717-772-6997 for more information.  Tickets purchased the night of the event are $4 per child (with treat bag) and $3 per adult. Children may attend in costume, but please, no masks or candy bags.
     
    Join us in the Planetarium for the exciting new show Constellations. What are constellations? How were they created? These are just two of the questions covered about these images in the night sky. Learn about what a constellation really is and who is responsible for creating them, and see what images we find around the globe. Explore each season and find out the basic constellations you can find in the Pennsylvania night sky. This program is included with general admission.
     
    3rd in the Burg: Art of the State Purchase Prize Winners, Friday, October 20, 5:30PM - 7:30 PM
    Join us from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM on October 20 as we celebrate the opening of The Art of the State Purchase Award Collection, 1969-2017.  This new exhibit showcases the featured works of Art of the State that were purchased by the museum and added to its permanent collections over the past five decades. This is a free event hosted by the Friends of The State Museum.  This exhibit will remain open from October 20, 2017 through February 18, 2018. 
     
    Nature Lab: Creatures of the Night, Thursday, October 26 at 11:30 AM
    Join museum educators in Nature Lab on Thursday, October 26 at 11:30 AM to learn through hands-on objects about the nocturnal, or nighttime, world through two of Pennsylvania’s inhabitants. Learn about the little brown bat and striped skunk. Discover how many insects a bat eats in a day. Or find out what smells! This program in included with your general admission to the museum.
     
    The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The Planetarium is offering two shows from October 4 through November 26:
     
    Constellations (4th Grade and up), Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 11:00 AM; Saturday, 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM; & Sunday, 2:00 PM
    What are constellations? How were they created? These are just two of the questions answered about these images in the night sky. Learn about what a constellation really is and who is responsible for creating them, and see what images we find around the globe. Explore each season and find out the basic constellations you can find in the Pennsylvania night sky.
               
    We are Aliens! (4th Grade and up), Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, 1:00 PM; Saturday, 12:00 Noon & 1:00 PM; & Sunday, 1:00 PM
    Are we alone in the universe? Are there other worlds like ours? Is there life elsewhere in our solar system? These are just a few of the questions challenging astronomers. Gain an understanding of what types of habitable environments support life. Explore the latest research on Mars and take a closer look at how scientists are discovering extrasolar planets and determining if they are habitable. We may truly be part of a galactic community, and to them, we are the aliens. Narrated by Rupert Grint.
     
    Planetarium shows are $3 per person in addition to general admission. Planetarium admission is free to members of the State Museum Affiliate and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation.
     
    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 and 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).
     
    For more information about the museum, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.
     
    MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
     
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