Harrisburg, Pennsylvanian is a good place to take children for fun and a great learning experience. It offers entertainment and educational opportunities.
In 1897, the capital building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania burnt. This left the Pennsylvania government with no building for the government to conduct the business of government.
The new capital building which was built between 1902 and 1906 is one of the most admired in the USA. It is a beautiful work of Architectural and artistic while also full of history. The building is full of art, beautiful paintings, murals, sculptures and history. The new capital building was designed by a young and upcoming architect, Joseph Huston. it is designed in American Renaissance style. Huston’s vision was to build a building that was a palace full of art and he accomplished that. There was a lot of competition for the rights to build the capital building. Joseph Huston won the contract and completed the building. After the completion of the capital building Huston was accused of taking bribes and conspiracy to defraud the Pennsylvania government. He was convicted and spent six months in prison. The building reflects many different types of styles throughout the building. Italian, Greek, Roman and French are all part of the buildings charm and beauty.
As you first enter the capital building, the first thing you will notice is the marvelous centerpiece staircase. It is often the source of group photos. Schools plan class trips to tour the building and have their class photos taken on these steps. Above the staircase is a 52 million pound dome. At the top of the staircase, it turns to both the left and the right.
The Rotunda Of The Pennsylvania Capital building in Harrisburg showcases a beautiful staircase.
The 52 Million Pound Dome Over The Rotunda
The Welcome Center in the Capital Building
The welcome center in the capital building is fun for the adults and children. There are interesting and educational trivia games to play. There is also a gift shop and places to grab a quick bite to eat near the Welcome Center. Children and adults can learn how laws are passed.
Children and adults can take free tours through the capital. The tours are popular and fill up quickly. It is best to call in advance and schedule a tour. Afterwards, they can find the Welcome Center of the building. Here, there’s trivia games and different learning experiences for everyone.
These are only a few of the highlights of visiting the Capital Building of Pennsylvania. Guided tours are offered by guides familiar with the history of the building.
The Pennsylvania Museum The Pennsylvania Museum is located near the capital building, within easy walking distance for most people. It is located at 300 North Street, Harrisburg. The museum has three floors full of interesting exhibits that families can enjoy.
The ground floor is where you enter, pay for your tickets and you are given a map of the museum. You can then choose which floors and exhibits you want to visit.
Ticket prices
- Adults $7
- Senior Citizens $6
- Children $5
The first floor in the museum exhibits artifacts exhibits featuring old dishes, some broken or cracked. It also displays items that some of us senior citizens still remember from our childhood. There are also a lot of exhibits and a video which emphasizes the civil rights movement throughout Pennsylvania’s history. The exhibits on the first floor are sometimes changed to add new exhibits.
Second Floor
The second floor of the museum is my personal favorite. This floor has Native American exhibits, civil war exhibits, and industry and transportation exhibits. The Native American longhouses were pretty neat. Here there are old covered wagons, old stagecoaches and a turnpike display. The turnpike display shows an old car paying its toll at the tollbooth. On this floor there’s also one of the first tiny campers for campers.
An old covered wagon from early American exhibited at the State Museum of Pennsylvania
Attribution: Ad Meskens Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Third Floor
While the third floor wasn’t my favorite there’s a lot of interesting exhibits. Those who are interested in nature, ecology, animals, birds will enjoy these exhibits. There’s also a planetarium on this floor.
Make the Most of Your Trip
Both the capital building and the State Museum of Pennsylvania can take several hours to explore thoroughly. You may want to visit everything so be sure to plan ahead. Schedule your tour of the capital in advance and plan to spend a few hours at the museum. Make a plan that includes lunch whether it’s in the capital building or a restaurant nearby. Then enjoy a day of fun and education with your family.
Copyright
Aug 30, 2025
Linda Hosler
History Lovers Corner 