Philadelphia Museums
There are many museums located in Philadelphia. When tourists think of museums , the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute comes to mind. Those two museums bring in a lot of tourists, but they are not the only museums in the city. This list looks at some of the other museums in Philadelphia. Museums that I define as "hidden".
This is an incomplete list. A complete list is coming soon!
*NOTE: If you are looking for a house museum, please visit Historic Homes/Mansions.
This is an incomplete list. A complete list is coming soon!
*NOTE: If you are looking for a house museum, please visit Historic Homes/Mansions.
National Museum of American Jewish History (NMAJH)
101 S Independence Mall E Philadelphia, PA 19106 http://www.nmajh.org/ Founded in 1976 in Center City Philadelphia, NMAJH’s purpose is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire. According to their website, NMAJH contains the largest collection of Jewish American history in the world. It is estimated that the museum contains more than 25,000 objects. |
African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 http://www.aampmuseum.org/ Founded in 1976 in Center City Philadelphia, the African American Museum is the first institution funded and built by a major municipality to preserve, interpret and exhibit the heritage of African Americans. The museum engages diverse communities in appreciating the Black experience through the narrative of art, history and culture. |
American Swedish Historical Museum
1900 Pattison Ave Philadelphia, PA 19145 http://www.americanswedish.org/ The American Swedish Historical Museum is located in South Philadelphia, and is considered the oldest Swedish Museum in the United States. The museum was founded in 1926 to preserve and promote Swedish and Swedish-American cultural heritage. The Museum today consists of 12 permanent galleries, one changing exhibition gallery, and a library. |
Fabric Workshop and Museum
1214 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 http://www.fabricworkshopandmuseum.org/ Founded in 1977 in Center City Philadelphia, the Fabric Workshop and Museum has an Artist-in-Residence Program, an extensive permanent collection of new work created by artists in collaboration with the Workshop, in-house and touring exhibitions, and comprehensive educational programming including lectures, tours, in-school presentations, and student apprenticeships. |
Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF)
315 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19106 https://www.chemheritage.org/ Located in Old City Philadelphia, CHF has preserved and interpreted the history of science since the 1980’s. CHF’s mission is to foster dialogue on science and technology in society. They explore the past in order to understand the present and inform the future. Their exhibitions, programs, and collections inspire visitors to explore the history of the sciences. |
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.ansp.org/
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a museum like no other. The museum was founded in 1812, and is considered the oldest natural sciences institution in the Western Hemisphere. In 2011, the academy and Drexel University became affiliated. With this affiliation, the academy will get support from Drexel's faculty and extensive resources. The museum has many exhibits including Dinosaur Hall, the Butterfly Exhibit, Outside In, and its seasonal special exhibit.
1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://www.ansp.org/
The Academy of Natural Sciences is a museum like no other. The museum was founded in 1812, and is considered the oldest natural sciences institution in the Western Hemisphere. In 2011, the academy and Drexel University became affiliated. With this affiliation, the academy will get support from Drexel's faculty and extensive resources. The museum has many exhibits including Dinosaur Hall, the Butterfly Exhibit, Outside In, and its seasonal special exhibit.
Insectarium
8046 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19136
http://insectariuminstitute.com/
The Insectarium is a bug museum located in Northeast Philadelphia's Holmesburg neighborhood . The museum has many exhibits including the Cockroach Kitchen, Working Beehive, and Termite Mound. If you love insects or want to experience something new, this is the place to be.
8046 Frankford Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19136
http://insectariuminstitute.com/
The Insectarium is a bug museum located in Northeast Philadelphia's Holmesburg neighborhood . The museum has many exhibits including the Cockroach Kitchen, Working Beehive, and Termite Mound. If you love insects or want to experience something new, this is the place to be.
|
Independence Seaport Museum
211 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19106 http://www.phillyseaport.org/ The Independence Seaport Museum is located in the western portion of Center City Philadelphia. It was founded in 1960 to educate people about the diverse maritime history of the Greater Delaware Valley, Port of Philadelphia , and the other major urban ports of the Delaware River.
Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent
15 South 7th St Philadelphia, PA 19106 http://www.philadelphiahistory.org/ The Philadelphia History Museum is located in Center City Philadelphia. Mission: "To engage Philadelphians and regional visitors with its extraordinary collections that reflect Philadelphia’s rich history and the diversity of its people and their neighborhoods through exhibitions, educational programs and technology which explore the past to better understand the present".
Athenaeum of Philadelphia
219 South 6th St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 http://www.philaathenaeum.org/index.html The Athenaeum of Philadelphia is a library and museum located in the Society Hill neighborhood of Center City Philadelphia. Founded in 1814, the Athenaeum contains a collection of books, manuscripts, architectural drawings, photographs, and historic objects. It provides the Philadelphia region with a resource of first resort on matters of architecture and interior design history, particularly for the period 1800 to 1945. |
Woodmere Art Museum
9201 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19118
http://woodmereartmuseum.org/
The Woodmere Art Museum is located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia. The museum was founded by Charles Knox Smith (1845–1916), an oil and mining businessman. Woodmere provides art classes for adults and children and conducts a variety of special events. Its core collection includes important paintings by renowned artists such as Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, Walter E. Schofield, Benjamin West, Frederic Edwin Church, Violet Oakley, Arthur B. Carles, and many more.
9201 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19118
http://woodmereartmuseum.org/
The Woodmere Art Museum is located in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia. The museum was founded by Charles Knox Smith (1845–1916), an oil and mining businessman. Woodmere provides art classes for adults and children and conducts a variety of special events. Its core collection includes important paintings by renowned artists such as Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, Walter E. Schofield, Benjamin West, Frederic Edwin Church, Violet Oakley, Arthur B. Carles, and many more.
Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
http://www.barnesfoundation.org/
The Barnes Foundation is an art museum located in Center City Philadelphia. The museum contains a variety of different paintings and objects dating back as far as the 15th century. The Barnes also has a campus in Lower Merion PA. Besides art, the Merion campus contains a beautiful arboretum. The Barnes foundation is a beautiful place to visit, especially if you enjoy fine art and horticulture.
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
http://www.barnesfoundation.org/
The Barnes Foundation is an art museum located in Center City Philadelphia. The museum contains a variety of different paintings and objects dating back as far as the 15th century. The Barnes also has a campus in Lower Merion PA. Besides art, the Merion campus contains a beautiful arboretum. The Barnes foundation is a beautiful place to visit, especially if you enjoy fine art and horticulture.
Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Education Center
640 Waterworks Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19130
http://fairmountworks.com/
Fairmount Water Works is the nation’s first major urban water supply system. It opened in 1815 at its historic location, between Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Today, the center educates citizens about Philadelphia’s urban watershed and how to manage the use of water. It is a beautiful historic environmental museum with plenty of exhibits to grab your interest.
640 Waterworks Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19130
http://fairmountworks.com/
Fairmount Water Works is the nation’s first major urban water supply system. It opened in 1815 at its historic location, between Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Today, the center educates citizens about Philadelphia’s urban watershed and how to manage the use of water. It is a beautiful historic environmental museum with plenty of exhibits to grab your interest.
La Salle University Art Museum
1900 West Olney Avenue (basement of Olney Hall)
Philadelphia,PA 19141
http://www.lasalle.edu/museum/
La Salle University Art museum is located on the lower level of Olney Hall on the campus of La Salle University. La Salle is located in the Logan neighborhood in Upper North Philadelphia. The museum's collection ranges from the renaissance to the present. Tours are also offered in the museum to families and school groups. The museum is free of charge, but a donation is recommend.
1900 West Olney Avenue (basement of Olney Hall)
Philadelphia,PA 19141
http://www.lasalle.edu/museum/
La Salle University Art museum is located on the lower level of Olney Hall on the campus of La Salle University. La Salle is located in the Logan neighborhood in Upper North Philadelphia. The museum's collection ranges from the renaissance to the present. Tours are also offered in the museum to families and school groups. The museum is free of charge, but a donation is recommend.
Mutter Museum
19 South 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://muttermuseum.org/
The Mutter Museum is a medical history museum located in Center City Philadelphia. The museum is owned by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. It contains a large collection of medical specimens, photographs, and instruments. A few items you can find includes slides of Albert Einstein's brain, the conjoined liver from the famous Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, and tissue from John Wilkes Booth's throat.
19 South 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
http://muttermuseum.org/
The Mutter Museum is a medical history museum located in Center City Philadelphia. The museum is owned by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. It contains a large collection of medical specimens, photographs, and instruments. A few items you can find includes slides of Albert Einstein's brain, the conjoined liver from the famous Siamese twins Chang and Eng Bunker, and tissue from John Wilkes Booth's throat.
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
http://www.penn.museum/
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, also known as Penn Museum, is located in the University City neighborhood in West Philadelphia. The museum was founded in 1887 and has over a million items in its collection. The museum is divided into 11 sections: African, American, Asian, Babylonian, Egyptian ,European Archaeological, Historical Archaeological,Mediterranean, Near East, Oceanian, and Physical Anthropology. Each section of the museum contains an extension collection that is sure to grab your interest.
3260 South Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
http://www.penn.museum/
University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, also known as Penn Museum, is located in the University City neighborhood in West Philadelphia. The museum was founded in 1887 and has over a million items in its collection. The museum is divided into 11 sections: African, American, Asian, Babylonian, Egyptian ,European Archaeological, Historical Archaeological,Mediterranean, Near East, Oceanian, and Physical Anthropology. Each section of the museum contains an extension collection that is sure to grab your interest.
Wagner Free Institute of Science
1700 West Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum located in the Stanton neighborhood in North Philadelphia. The museum was founded in 1855 by William Wagner, a Philadelphia merchant, philanthropist, and amateur scientist. Wagner believed that everyone should have access to education, so he created the museum with that mission. The Wagner Free Institute of Science offers free classes to children and adults. The free college-level courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters. These courses are offered at the museum and at locations throughout the city. The free children courses are taught at the museum and are sometimes brought to elementary schools in the city.
The museum collection contains many specimens that William Wagner collected as a scientist. The museum has skeletons, rocks & minerals, bodies of sea & terrestrial animals, and fossils of both animal and plant life. There is so much to look at and learn at the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Best of all, the museum does not charge an admission fee.
1700 West Montgomery Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121
The Wagner Free Institute of Science is a natural history museum located in the Stanton neighborhood in North Philadelphia. The museum was founded in 1855 by William Wagner, a Philadelphia merchant, philanthropist, and amateur scientist. Wagner believed that everyone should have access to education, so he created the museum with that mission. The Wagner Free Institute of Science offers free classes to children and adults. The free college-level courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters. These courses are offered at the museum and at locations throughout the city. The free children courses are taught at the museum and are sometimes brought to elementary schools in the city.
The museum collection contains many specimens that William Wagner collected as a scientist. The museum has skeletons, rocks & minerals, bodies of sea & terrestrial animals, and fossils of both animal and plant life. There is so much to look at and learn at the Wagner Free Institute of Science. Best of all, the museum does not charge an admission fee.