Penn Museum
| Type | Archaeology and anthropology museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 3260 South Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | University City |
| Phone | (215) 898-4000 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1887 |
| Founder | University of Pennsylvania |
| Director | Christopher Woods |
| Hours | Tue-Sun 10 AM - 5 PM |
The Penn Museum (formally the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology) is one of the world's great archaeology and anthropology museums, located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania in University City. The museum's collections include over one million objects spanning 4,000 years of human history and representing cultures from every inhabited continent. Its extensive galleries feature ancient Egyptian mummies, Mesopotamian treasures from the royal tombs of Ur, monumental Chinese sculptures, and Maya artifacts.[1]
Founded in 1887, the Penn Museum has sponsored over 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions and maintains active research programs around the world. The museum's massive rotunda building, constructed between 1893 and 1929, is an architectural landmark housing galleries that transport visitors from ancient Egypt to imperial China to pre-Columbian America.[2]
History
[edit | edit source]Founding
[edit | edit source]The museum was founded in 1887 to house objects from the University of Pennsylvania's first archaeological expedition to Nippur in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). The expedition was one of the first American archaeological projects in the Middle East.
Building
[edit | edit source]The museum building was designed by architects Wilson Eyre, Cope & Stewardson, and Frank Miles Day. Construction occurred in phases:
- 1899: First section opened
- 1915: Main rotunda completed
- 1929: Final wing completed
- 2019: Major gallery renovations completed
Archaeological Expeditions
[edit | edit source]The Penn Museum has sponsored expeditions to:
- Mesopotamia: Nippur, Ur, Beth Shean
- Egypt: Memphis, Abydos
- Central America: Tikal, Piedras Negras
- Asia: China, Japan, Southeast Asia
- Africa: Ethiopia, Nigeria
These expeditions built the museum's extraordinary collections.
Collections
[edit | edit source]Egyptian Gallery
[edit | edit source]Major Egyptian holdings include:
- Mummies: Multiple Egyptian mummies on display
- The Sphinx: 15-ton granite sphinx from Memphis
- Artifacts: Funerary objects, jewelry, sculptures
- Monumental Art: Columns, architectural elements
Middle East Galleries
[edit | edit source]Treasures from ancient Mesopotamia:
- Royal Tombs of Ur: Gold jewelry, musical instruments, gaming boards
- Cuneiform Tablets: Thousands of ancient texts
- Sculptures: Assyrian and Babylonian art
Africa Galleries
[edit | edit source]Collections representing African cultures:
- Benin bronze sculptures
- Ethiopian art
- Traditional crafts and textiles
- Contemporary African art
Asian Galleries
[edit | edit source]Art and artifacts from across Asia:
- China: Monumental sculpture, ceramics
- Japan: Armor, prints, decorative arts
- South and Southeast Asia: Buddhist and Hindu sculpture
American Galleries
[edit | edit source]Pre-Columbian and Native American collections:
- Maya stelae and monuments
- Aztec and Zapotec artifacts
- North American indigenous art
- Ancient Peruvian textiles
The Rotunda
[edit | edit source]The museum's magnificent central rotunda features a soaring domed space often used for special exhibitions and events.
Visiting the Penn Museum
[edit | edit source]Hours
[edit | edit source]- Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Monday (except holiday Mondays)
- Closed major holidays
Admission
[edit | edit source]- Adults: Approximately $18 (check website for current pricing)
- Seniors: Discounted rates
- Students with ID: Discounted rates
- Children (6 and under): Free
- Penn students/faculty: Free
Tips
[edit | edit source]- Allow 2-3 hours for a full visit
- The Egyptian galleries and mummies are highlights
- Rent an audio guide for deeper context
- The museum café is in the beautiful Harrison Rotunda
- Check website for current special exhibitions
- Good for older children and adults
Getting There
[edit | edit source]- SEPTA Trolley: Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, 36 (33rd Street stop)
- SEPTA Bus: Routes 21, 30, 42
- LUCY: University City shuttle
- Amtrak/SEPTA Regional Rail: 30th Street Station (15-minute walk)
- Parking: Penn parking garages nearby
Location
[edit | edit source]Located at 33rd and Spruce Streets on the University of Pennsylvania campus in University City, west of Center City Philadelphia.
Nearby Attractions
[edit | edit source]- University of Pennsylvania (surrounding)
- Institute of Contemporary Art (10-minute walk)
- 30th Street Station (15-minute walk)
- University City, Philadelphia
Research and Scholarship
[edit | edit source]Academic Programs
[edit | edit source]The museum is an active research institution:
- Graduate programs in archaeology and anthropology
- Ongoing excavations worldwide
- Publication of scholarly journals
- Conservation and preservation programs
Continuing Expeditions
[edit | edit source]The museum continues to sponsor archaeological research in:
- Turkey
- Italy
- Jordan
- Belize
- And other locations
Archives and Libraries
[edit | edit source]- Extensive photo and document archives
- Specialized research library
- Access for scholars and researchers
See Also
[edit | edit source]- University of Pennsylvania
- University City, Philadelphia
- Archaeology in Philadelphia
- Institute of Contemporary Art
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "About the Museum". Penn Museum. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "Penn Museum". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025