Educational Activities For Kids Near Me in Drifting
Lykens Valley Children's Museum
33 South Market Street, Elizabethville, PA
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission
Our mission is to provide an interactive play and hands-on learning museum where we provide a child-centered environment to inspire children’s creativity, curiosity, imagination and a love for life-long learning.
We are building a community-supported place where play and learning are forever connected for all the children and families in Lykens Valley.
Vision
Our vision is to:
-- Create a community where children have access to resources that they need to become creative, curious, inventive and healthy children who will be ready for the ever-changing world
-- Create a joy and passion for lifelong learning
-- Emphasize early childhood education and school readiness
-- Promote the learning and development of the whole child during some of the most pivotal and formative years of life
Values
Play Time
We believe that play time is essential for a healthy child development and creates a love for lifelong learning.
Learning
We believe that interactive learning and play will allow children to use their creativity, apply critical thinking skills, learn to solve problems and grow.
Curiosity
We encourage children to explore, invent, play, dream and to ask questions.
Value
We want to add value to our community and serve as a gateway to community programs.
Respect
We respect children and the adults who support them, and we believe in respect in return.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North Street, Harrisburg, PA
Since its creation in 1905, The State Museum of Pennsylvania has collected, preserved, researched, and interpreted the cultural and natural history of the state. Over the years, the museum has greatly expanded its collections and modernized its public offerings to serve the needs of succeeding generations of Pennsylvanians. Originally located next to the Capitol, the museum moved to its current location in 1964. It became a bureau of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1945.
National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, PA
Mission:
It is the mission of The National Civil War Museum to serve as a national center to inspire lifelong learning of the American Civil War through the preservation and balanced presentation of the American peoples struggles for survival and healing.
Vision:
It is the vision of The National Civil War Museum to be valued as the national destination of choice by all, especially families, students, civil war enthusiasts and historians to experience and research the culture and history of the American Civil War.
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
221 North Main Street, Greensburg, PA
Mission
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art offers a place to share compelling and meaningful cultural experiences that open the door to new ideas, perspectives and possibilities.
Vision
We imagine a world in which everyone feels valued and represented.
The Westmoreland's Values
Welcoming, Inclusive, Collaborative, Kind, Inspiring
Middletown And Hummelstown Railroad
136 Brown Street, Middletown, PA
About:
The original M & H Railroad Company was formed in 1888 by local businessmen. Construction of the line between its namesake Boroughs was completed in 1890. From then until 1976 it was part of the Reading Railroad. Since 1976, the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad has been an independent company. Freight service has been provided since 1976 and tourist passenger service has been provided since 1986.
The M & H Railroad uses a 1941 or 1955 General Electric Diesel Locomotive for passenger service. Our Canadian National Steam Engine #91 Mogul 2-6-0 is out of service at this time. The 1956 ALCO (900-HP) and 1969 ALCO (1000-HP) Diesel Electric Engines handle freight interchanged with the Norfolk Southern Railroad at our Middletown interchange.
Hershey Chocolate World
101 Chocolate World Way, Hershey, PA
 The Hershey Company is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products. The company also is a leader in the gum and mint category.
National Watch And Clock Museum
514 Poplar Street, Columbia, PA
The National Watch and Clock Museum was officially opened to the public in 1977 with fewer than 1,000 items. Since that time, the collection has increased to over 12,000 items and the museum has undergone several expansion projects. The latest expansion opened in October 1999 and featured an entirely new and redesigned exhibit space, as well as a new two-story addition. Today, the museum is recognized as the largest and most comprehensive horological collection in North America.
The Museum collection is international in scope and covers a wide variety of clocks, watches, tools, and other time-related items. The main focus of the collection is on nineteenth-century American clocks and watches. However, additional collections include early English Tallcase clocks, Asian timepieces from Japan and China, and timekeeping devices from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Russia. Chronologically, the exhibits take you on a tour through the entire history of timekeeping technology from early non-mechanical devices to today’s atomic and radio controlled clocks.
Special temporary exhibits are also part of the museum experience. Previous exhibits have examined military timekeeping, fine timepieces from around the world, Civil War timepieces, and American Tallcase clocks.
Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
About Us:
Carnegie Museum of Art is arguably the first museum of contemporary art in the United States, collecting the “Old Masters of tomorrow” since the inception of the Carnegie International in 1896. Today, the museum is one of the most dynamic major art institutions in America. Our collection of more than 35,000 objects features a broad spectrum of visual arts, including painting and sculpture; prints and drawings; photographs; architectural casts, renderings, and models; decorative arts and design; and film, video, and digital imagery. Through our programming, exhibitions, and publications, we frequently explore the role of art and artists in confronting key social issues of our time, combining and juxtaposing local and global perspectives. With our unique history and resources, we strive to become a leader in defining the role of art museums for the 21st century.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Mission Statement:
To deepen wonder and To deepen wonder and advance understanding of our natural world-past and present-in order to embrace responsibility for our collective future.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum
4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Our Mission:
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc. is responsible for one of the only memorials in the United States dedicated solely to all of our military personnel, regardless of their branch of service, status, era or conflict. Our mission is to preserve a lasting tribute to those men and women who unselfishly gave of themselves in serving their country, particularly during the American's conflicts. Through educational outreach and programs supporting our veterans, we promote the significance of the facility to the community as a living memorial, an educational asset, and cultural treasure. Conceived by the Allegheny County Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall opened its doors in October 1910. Since 2000, we have brought about a rebirth to this aged structure when its trustees took it to nonprofit status. Today, we continue to improve, enhance and create a sustainability program helping us carry our mission into the future.
The Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA
The Andy Warhol Museum is the global keeper of Andy Warhol's legacy. The Andy Warhol Museum is a vital forum in which diverse audiences of artists, scholars, and the general public are galvanized through creative interaction with the art and life of Andy Warhol. The Warhol is ever-changing, constantly redefining itself in relationship to contemporary life using its unique collections and dynamic interactive programming as tools. The Warhol holds the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks and archival materials and is one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world. It is one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
10 Children's Way, Pittsburgh, PA
About Us:
Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is a place that delights and inspires children, where they can take off on fantastic flights of imagination daily, and return to earth to splash in a river, hammer a nail and ink a silkscreen. Named one of the nation’s top 15 children’s museums by Parents magazine in 2015, the Museum welcomes over 306,000 visitors annually and provides tons of fun and loads of “real stuff” experiences for play and learning. Hands-on, interactive exhibit areas and experiences that inspire joy, creativity and curiosity include The Studio, MAKESHOP, Waterplay, Nursery, Theater and Backyard.
The Museum’s award-winning, three-story building connects two historic buildings, Allegheny Post Office Building & the Buhl Building. Its center building is screened by a shimmering wind sculpture created by environmental artist Ned Kahn (Articulated Cloud). In 2006 the Museum became a certified green building (Silver LEED) and was honored by the American Institute for Architects and the National Historic Preservation.
The Old Jail Museum
128 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA
History
Resembling a fortress standing guard over the town of Jim Thorpe (formerly known as Mauch Chunk), the historic Old Jail Museum is a beautiful two-story stone structure. 1995 when it was purchased by Tom McBride and his wife, Betty Lou, of Jim Thorpe.
Containing approximately 72 rooms, this magnificent structure shouts to all "Be good"! The building has 27 cells, plus basement dungeon cells used as solitary confinement until 1980, women's cells on the 2nd floor, and the warden's living quarters across the front of the building. The warden's apartment has a large living room, dining room, 2 bedrooms, and a sitting room. The kitchen for the prisoners was the same kitchen used by the warden's family. In fact, for many years the warden's wife did the cooking not only for her family but also for the prisoners using the same kitchen for both.
The building is best known as the site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires in the 1800s. On June 21, 1877, today known as the Day of the Rope, Alexander Campbell, Edward Kelly, Michael Doyle and John Donohue were hanged at the same time on gallows erected inside the Old Jail Museum cell block. On March 28, 1878, Thomas P. Fisher was hanged here, and on January 14, 1879, James McDonnell and Charles Sharp were hanged on the same gallows.
Historians today feel the Molly Maguire trials were a surrender of state sovereignty. A private corporation (a coal/railroad company) initiated an investigation through a private detective agency (Pinkerton Detectives), a private police force (the Coal & Iron Police) arrested the alleged offenders, and private attorneys (employees of the coal companies) prosecuted these men. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provided only the courtroom and the gallows.
Before their hanging, the men proclaimed their innocence and today historians believe many of the condemned men were falsely accused of murder. Before his hanging one man put his hand on the dirty floor of his cell and then placed it firmly on the wall proclaiming, " This handprint will remain as proof of my innocence." That handprint is visible today for everyone to view even though past wardens tried to eradicate it by washing it, painting it, and even taking down part of the wall and re-plastering it. The handprint was originally thought to be Alexander Campbell's, but after research, it is now thought to be Thomas Fisher's.
Do NOT pass Jim Thorpe, go directly to The Old Jail Museum! Hear the story of the condemned Molly Maguires and see the mysterious handprint on the wall.
Harry Houdini Museum
1433 North Main Avenue, Scranton, PA
The Houdini attraction is a continuous non-stop wonderful major happening. It's amazing, exciting, historic, & family friendly. Fun & educational. The World's Only Building devoted to most famous magician of all time, Harry Houdini. He did special challenges in our area. Can be seen no where else. The New York Times, the most critical paper in the world, called our events "high quality entertainment." Great for all ages, from 3 to 93. Includes a fabulous fun 55 minute stage magic show with noted professional magicians & live animals including doves, a rabbit, a duck & two poodles. Includes the rarest film footage of Harry Houdini not shown anywhere else. Not to be missed.
Allentown Art Museum
31 North Fifth Street, Allentown, PA
MISSION & VISION
We strive to be an inclusive regional resource that uses arts and culture as a catalyst to drive interaction, education, experimentation and social change by offering exhibitions and programs that inspire, teach, transform, and engage our Valley–one person, one idea at a time:
Inspire: Present compelling works and programs that influence people to think about ways to improve their community and world.
Teach: Encourage all people to express and nurture their creativity. Cultivate a lasting appreciation for the visual arts.
Transform: Use art as a catalyst for societal improvement and economic development in downtown Allentown.
Engage: Bring people together to share perspectives and foster deeper understanding of one another and the world around them.
America On Wheels Museum
5 North Front Street, Allentown, PA
Mission:
A museum of over the road transportation, America On Wheels is dedicated to preserving the great history of American transportation through exhibits, education and community events.
Please Touch Museum
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA
Mission:
Please Touch Museum's Mission is to Enrich the Lives of Children by Creating Learning Opportunities Through Play.
We strive to make the Museum a place that reflects our Core Values:
- Caring and Collaborative
- Playful and Fun
- Creative and Innovative
- Learning and Educational
- Child-centered and Family-focused
- Safe and Clean
- Respectful and Diverse
About Us:
Since 1976, Please Touch Museum has been the Children's Museum of Philadelphia. Our museum was the first in the nation whose target audience was families with children seven and younger. We have grown into one of the best children's museums in the nation, have become experts in play and have had our programs for under served families in the region nationally recognized. Our mission to enrich the lives of children by creating learning opportunities through play, enables us to lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and cultural awareness.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
History:
The Museum began as a legacy of the great Centennial Exhibition of 1876, held in Fairmount Park. At the conclusion of the celebrations, Memorial Hall-which had been constructed as the Exhibition's art gallery-remained open as a Museum of Art and Industry "for the improvement and enjoyment of the people of the Commonwealth".
In the first few decades, the collections consisted of objects of an industrial nature, as well as fine and decorative art objects such as European ceramics. Books were also among the Museum's earliest acquisitions, as were antique furniture, enamels, carved ivories, jewelry, metalwork, glass, pottery, porcelain, textiles, and paintings.
In the early 1900s, the Museum published its first collection handbook and initiated an Education program for the general public. It wasn't long before a Membership program was in place, and plans for a new building gained momentum in the following decade.
Director Fiske Kimball set the tone for a new era in the 1920s, and the opening of the new building on Fairmount-what is now the Main Building-opened with an attendance record of one million visitors in its first year. Valiant marketing efforts and the skillful leadership of President J. Stogdell Stokes helped to keep the Museum vital during the Great Depression of the 1930s, while the 1940s witnessed extraordinary growth in the collections with a number of important gifts-including the John D. McIlhenny Collection and the George Grey Barnard Collection.
Rosenbach Museum and Library
2008-2010 DeLancey Place, Philadelphia, PA
The Rosenbach Museum & Library seeks to inspire curiosity, inquiry, and creativity by engaging broad audiences in exhibitions, programs, and research based on its remarkable and expanding collections.
About the Rosenbach Museum & Library
The Rosenbach Museum & Library was the home of two brothers, Dr. A.S.W. and Philip Rosenbach. A.S.W. Rosenbach was a legendary dealer and collector of rare books and manuscripts, while Philip's expertise encompassed the fine and decorative arts. Founded in 1954 to preserve the two brothers' personal collections and company archive, the Rosenbach's holdings have continued to grow. The Rosenbach is a major cultural destination a research center that is home to one of the nation's great collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as a beautiful, historic townhouse filled with fine art and antiques. The eclectic treasures include:
- Manuscripts for such outstanding literary works as James Joyce's Ulysses, Charles Dickens' Pickwick Papers, and Joseph Conrad's Lord Jim
- Fine 18th- and 19th-century British and American furniture
- Items associated with important authors, including Herman Melville's bookcase and Nathaniel Hawthorne's personal copy of Melville's Moby Dick
- The world's largest collection of portrait miniatures painted in oil on metal
- A selection of John Tenniel's original illustrations for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass
- The only surviving example of the first printing of Yankee Doodle
- A complete recreation with the original contents of poet Marianne Moore's Greenwich Village living room (designated as a national Literary Landmark by Friends of Libraries USA)
- Over 10,000 drawings and manuscripts by acclaimed children's book author/illustrator Maurice Sendak.
Museum of the American Revolution
101 South Third Street, Philadelphia, PA
Mission & Vision
When the Museum of the American Revolution opened its doors on April 19, 2017, it fulfilled a promise – made more than a century ago – to create a museum dedicated to telling the rich and complex story of our nation's founding. Since then, we have delivered an exceptional experience to hundreds of thousands of visitors and established ourselves as a destination that brings history to life in a unique and powerful way.
Our Mission
The Museum uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America's ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government.
Our Vision
To ensure that the promise of the American Revolution endures.
Our Values
These are the core beliefs that define our organization's character and guide our conduct, both internally and externally.
Integrity: We commit to being truthful, ethical, accountable, and transparent in all we do. When we make mistakes, we will acknowledge and learn from them.
Inclusivity: We promise to face hard truths, have open dialogue about the complexities of our nation's history, and lift up stories that have often gone untold. We want all people to know that they belong here and that we are dedicated to meeting their unique needs.
Collaboration: We believe that we are stronger together and strive to develop meaningful relationships and partnerships. We will empower each other and communicate openly to build trust.
Discovery: We embrace creativity, bold innovation, and a spirit of discovery. We will cultivate an environment that supports passion, curiosity, and risk-taking, and is nimble to adapt as the world changes.
Empathy: We believe in embracing the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of others and creating thoughtful, personal connections. We will foster a culture of trust, kindness, and respect.
Stewardship and Sustainability: We believe that history matters; a strong sense of our place in time informs everything we do. We are committed to preserving both our cultural and environmental resources for present and future generations.
