Founded in 1887, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is an internationally renowned educational and research institution dedicated to the understanding of cultural diversity and the exploration of the history of humankind. In its 120-year history, Penn Museum has conducted about 400 research expeditions around the world, and collected nearly one million objects, many obtained directly through its own field excavations or anthropological research.
Penn Museum's extensive collections fall into two main divisions: archaeology, the artifacts recovered from the past by excavation; and ethnology, the objects and ideas collected from living peoples. More than 30 galleries feature materials from around the world and throughout the ages.
Among the highlights to be found on its three floors of public galleries are: ancient Egyptian treasures including monumental architectural pieces from the Palace of Merenptah and a 13-ton granite Sphinx of Ramesses II, circa 1200 B.C., and the crowd-pleasing "Egyptian Mummy: Secrets and Science" exhibition. "Canaan and Ancient Israel," features Bible Lands artifacts and looks at the crossroads of cultures in that dynamic region. "Worlds Intertwined: Etruscans, Greeks and Romans," a suite of galleries that opened in 2003, features more than 1,400 artifacts from the ancient Mediterranean world. The Museum's African gallery features material from throughout that vast continent, including fine West and Central African masks and instruments and a renowned Benin bronze collection from Nigeria. Also on display are important ancient Maya stele and other objects from Mesoamerica; an Asian collection featuring some of the finest examples of monumental Chinese sculptures in America; a Buddhism exhibition that looks at how that major world religion interacted with diverse cultures as it spread throughout much of Asia; and a wide array of materials from Polynesia. Diverse Native American cultures are represented in two exhibitions--"Raven's Journey: World of Alaska's Native People," and "Living in Balance: The Universe of the Hopi, Zuni, Navajo and Apache." In addition, special exhibitions, both drawn from the Museum's own collections and brought in on loan, enrich the exhibition offerings.
The Museum offers a wide variety of events including concerts, dance performances, films, "World Culture" family days celebrating diverse cultures, lectures, and special symposia. Guided gallery tours begin at the Main Entrance most Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. from mid-September through mid-May. The Museum's website, www.museum.upenn.edu, features virtual exhibits, interactive programs and regularly updated event and exhibition information.
The Museum Shop, Second Site Shop and the Pyramid Shop for children offer a wide assortment of books, jewelry, arts and crafts from around the world. The glass-enclosed Museum Café overlooking the Museum's inner gardens offers cafeteria-style freshly prepared meals and snacks. The café is open 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday (when the Museum is open).
A variety of membership packages are available. A Household membership includes free admission, shop discounts, a subscription to Ex3, a publication of Penn Museum, and When in the World?, the Museum's calendar of upcoming events, and more.
Penn Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays, holidays and summer Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Requested admission donation is $8 adults, $5 students and senior citizens; free to Museum members, children under 6, and Penncard holders. For general information, call (215) 898-4000. For a current calendar of events, call (215) 898-4890. For membership information call (215) 898-5093, or visit the Museum's award-winning website at www. museum.upenn.edu
Penn Museum is located on the University of Pennsylvania campus, across from Franklin Field, at 3260 South Street in Philadelphia. Directions: From I-95 pick up the Schuylkill Expressway, I-76. Exit I-76 at South Street; turn west (away from Center City) over the South Street bridge. Parking lots are available behind the Museum, one block from the I-76 South Street exit at Convention Avenue (turn left). By subway surface (the green line): take number 10, 11, 13, 34 or 36 to 33 rd and Chestnut/Walnut Streets and 36th and Spruce Streets. Also, the Museum is one block from the University City rail station (R1, R2, R3) on Convention Avenue at South Street, and a short walk from the 30th Street Station and the 34th Street exit of the Market-Frankford subway.
