State Museum of Pennsylvania to Open New Store on Sept. 16

Grand Opening to be Part of Harrisburg's '3rd in the Burg' Event

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The State Museum of Pennsylvania will join Harrisburg's monthly community-wide arts celebration, 3rd in the Burg, with a grand opening of its new museum store on Friday, Sept. 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The grand opening will include "Mad Men"-themed refreshments, door prizes, entertainment by jazz pianist Jimmy Wood and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. The free event is hosted by the St. Moritz Supper Club, Harrisburg.

"The popular 'Mad Men' television series theme inspires our new store's retro decor, which also reflects our 1964 building's distinctive mid-century modern design, but the entire store inventory is based on State Museum exhibits and Pennsylvania's history, science, art and culture," said State Museum Director David Dunn.

The new store expands the museum's mission of focusing on Pennsylvania by stocking merchandise that relates to the museum's collections and programming, including:

Pennsylvania History
The store will stock a comprehensive selection of books and media about the Keystone State's people, places and rich history. There will be a large selection of gifts and souvenirs inspired by the museum's collections telling the story of Pennsylvania's pivotal role in the American Civil War, including Woolrich Civil War blankets, made in the same Clinton County mill that created the originals supplied to Union troops between 1861 and 1865.  A full line of dinosaur and paleontology toys and games centered on the museum's new "Life Through Time" paleontology exhibit will also be available.

Pennsylvania-Made
There will be a large section of merchandise devoted to iconic Pennsylvania-made products such as Hershey's chocolates, Pennsylvania Dutch Candies, and die-cast miniature models of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Mack Trucks and Piper Cub airplanes.

Children's Discovery Zone
Along with many toys and games for early learners, Pennsylvania's contribution to childhood play will be represented by the original Slinky toy and creative products from Crayola Crayons, both still manufactured in the state.

Pennsylvania Artists
A selection of unique hand crafted jewelry, textiles and objects from Pennsylvania artisans, including clay pendants from MudWorks Pottery Studio in Effort, Monroe County, and rings fashioned from the U.S. Mint's Pennsylvania state quarters.

The store was planned and designed in consultation with Doyle + Associates of Philadelphia, a firm specializing in museum retail. Its other clients include The National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, White House Visitor Center, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Seattle Art Museum, Franklin Institute and The Please Touch Museum.

The State Museum Store is located on the ground floor of The State Museum. The store offers State Museum Affiliate Members and Pennsylvania Heritage Society members a 10-percent discount on purchases.  Admission to the store is free.  Fall 2011 hours are Wed. through Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m.  

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, is one of 25 historic sites and museums administered by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. The State Museum offers expansive collections interpreting Pennsylvania's fascinating heritage. With exhibits examining the dawn of geologic time, the Native American experience, the colonial and revolutionary era, a pivotal Civil War battleground, and the Commonwealth's vast industrial age, The State Museum demonstrates that Pennsylvania's story is America's story.

Museum hours are Wed. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults; $4 for children and senior citizens.

For more information about the museum, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.  

Media contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission