The Museum Library, also known as the Penn Museum, is a fascinating place full of ancient culture and history. It has a large collection of artifacts from all over the world, including Asia, Africa, the Middle East, North and Central America, and Egypt. Visitors can see a wide variety of items such as pottery, bronze objects, jade, ceramics, and sculptures from different ancient civilizations. Some highlights include artifacts from Chinese civilizations, like earthenware jars, ceramics, and jade from the Shang Dynasty, as well as Buddhist artifacts from various Chinese dynasties, including the Han, Jin, Yuan, Tang, and Northern Wei. The museum also features impressive Egyptian artifacts, including mummies, the Sphinx, and relics from Memphis, Egypt. The museum’s architecture is beautiful, with a notable turret area and lighting that makes the exhibits even more striking. Visitors appreciate the well-spaced displays and the informative labels that help tell the stories behind each piece. The collection is vast, with around one million artifacts, though only a small portion is on display at a time. The museum also hosts cultural events like Día de los Muertos, which bring vibrant celebrations to life and are enjoyed by families. The interior library provides a peaceful, quiet space for sitting and studying, although the layout can be a bit confusing, especially for those entering through the PennCard side. Staff members are friendly and helpful, often engaging visitors with knowledgeable answers about the artifacts. Some exhibits, like the Ancient Greek section, have remained unchanged for years, while others, such as the indigenous American exhibit, are thoughtfully curated with respect and collaboration. Overall, the Penn Museum is a beautiful, educational, and culturally enriching place that offers a memorable experience for history lovers and curious visitors alike.
Beautiful museum but so many exhibits were closed and it was harder to enjoy. Loved the Assyrian exhibit
December 2024
Full of ancient culture. I'm so glad we visited. The museum was beautiful. I highly recommend visiting if you're into history!
March 2024
Small but incredibly interesting. The Egyptian section has some very rare and interesting pieces. The library is a hidden gem. In the recent, sill ongoing, renovation a very nice part of the exposition has been devoted to Native populations.
