Governor Pennypacker's signature on March 28, 1905 created the State Museum of Pennsylvania, here at 300 North Street in downtown Harrisburg. This non-profit history museum, run by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, exists to preserve and interpret the Commonwealth's history and culture. Its founding is pinned to March 28, 1905, when Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker signed legislation establishing the museum for "the preservation of objects illustrating the flora and fauna of the state, and its mineralogy, geology, archeology, arts and history.
Later in 1905 Pennypacker signed Act 481, providing $20,000 in start-up funding. On March 1, 1907, staff and collections moved into the Executive Office Building. The institution became part of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 1945 and moved to this present building in 1964.
Its mission was influenced by earlier state museums in New York, Illinois, and Indiana. Today, the museum is part of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex and sits adjacent to the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Stand here and imagine the care taken across those decades to gather natural specimens, mineralogy, archaeology, arts, and historical objects: the legal founding in 1905, the 1907 move, the 1945 reorganization, the 1964 relocation.
Notice the Capitol and the State Capitol Complex framing this site.