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) stands as one of the world's great archaeology and anthropology museums on the University of Pennsylvania campus in University City. Walk through its doors and you'll find over one million objects spanning 4,000 years of human history, representing every inhabited continent. The galleries are packed with treasures: ancient Egyptian mummies, Mesopotamian riches pulled from the royal tombs of Ur, towering Chinese sculptures, and Maya artifacts that still captivate visitors.[1]
Since 1887, the museum's sent over 400 archaeological and anthropological expeditions into the field and runs active research programs across the globe. The massive rotunda building, constructed between 1893 and 1929, isn't just a container for artifacts. It's an architectural landmark in its own right, with galleries that whisk you from ancient Egypt to imperial China to pre-Columbian America.[2]
History
Founding
In 1887, the museum opened its doors to house objects from the University of Pennsylvania's first archaeological expedition to Nippur in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). This was groundbreaking work at the time. One of the earliest American archaeological projects in the Middle East, it set the tone for everything that came after.
Building
Wilson Eyre, Cope & Stewardson, and Frank Miles Day designed the museum building. Construction happened in stages:
- 1899: First section opened
- 1915: Main rotunda completed
- 1929: Final wing completed
- 2019: Major gallery renovations completed
Archaeological Expeditions
The Penn Museum's supported digs across the ancient world:
- Mesopotamia: Nippur, Ur, Beth Shean
- Egypt: Memphis, Abydos
- Central America: Tikal, Piedras Negras
- Asia: China, Japan, Southeast Asia
- Africa: Ethiopia, Nigeria
Those expeditions? They're the backbone of what you see here today.
Collections
Egyptian Gallery
The Egyptian holdings are extraordinary:
- Mummies: Several Egyptian mummies on display
- The Sphinx: A 15-ton granite sphinx from Memphis
- Artifacts: Funerary objects, jewelry, sculptures
- Monumental Art: Columns, architectural elements
Middle East Galleries
Ancient Mesopotamian treasures fill these spaces:
- Royal Tombs of Ur: Gold jewelry, musical instruments, gaming boards
- Cuneiform Tablets: Thousands of ancient texts
- Sculptures: Assyrian and Babylonian art
Africa Galleries
African cultures deserve serious attention here:
- Benin bronze sculptures
- Ethiopian art
- Traditional crafts and textiles
- Contemporary African art
Asian Galleries
Art and artifacts span the entire continent:
- China: Monumental sculpture, ceramics
- Japan: Armor, prints, decorative arts
- South and Southeast Asia: Buddhist and Hindu sculpture
American Galleries
Pre-Columbian and Native American pieces tell powerful stories:
- Maya stelae and monuments
- Aztec and Zapotec artifacts
- North American indigenous art
- Ancient Peruvian textiles
The Rotunda
The central rotunda takes your breath away. It's a soaring domed space that hosts special exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Visiting the Penn Museum
Hours
- Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Closed: Monday (except holiday Mondays)
- Closed major holidays
Admission
- 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
Plan for 2-3 hours if you're doing it right. The Egyptian galleries and mummies are must-sees. An audio guide really deepens the experience. The museum café sits in the beautiful Harrison Rotunda, which is worth a visit on its own. Check the website for current special exhibitions. This place works best for older children and adults.
Getting There
- 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
You'll find it at 33rd and Spruce Streets on the University of Pennsylvania campus in University City, west of Center City Philadelphia.
Nearby Attractions
- University of Pennsylvania (surrounding)
- Institute of Contemporary Art (10-minute walk)
- 30th Street Station (15-minute walk)
- University City, Philadelphia
Research and Scholarship
Academic Programs
This isn't just a museum where things sit in cases. It's a working research institution:
- Graduate programs in archaeology and anthropology
- Ongoing excavations worldwide
- Publication of scholarly journals
- Conservation and preservation programs
Continuing Expeditions
Archaeologists working with the museum continue digging in:
- Turkey
- Italy
- Jordan
- Belize
- And other locations
Archives and Libraries
Serious researchers come here for the resources:
- Extensive photo and document archives
- Specialized research library
- Access for scholars and researchers
See Also
- University of Pennsylvania
- University City, Philadelphia
- Archaeology in Philadelphia
- Institute of Contemporary Art
References
- ↑ "About the Museum". Penn Museum. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "Penn Museum". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025