Charter Day's - Free Admission at Historical Sites

In 1681, England’s King Charles II used a charter to grant the land that is now Pennsylvania to founder William Penn. It is often referred to as the “Penn Charter” or “Pennsylvania’s birth certificate.”

On Charter Day, many of Pennsylvania’s Trails of History sites offer “free admission” in celebration of Pennsylvania’s birthday. Throughout the year, these sites offer special activities and exhibits. Below is a list of those offering free admission on Charter Day held in early March of each year:

North West Region

Drake Well Museum
Erie Maritime Museum

North Central Region

Pennsylvania Military Museum

North East Region

PA Anthracite Heritage Museum
Eckley's Miner Village

South West Region

Bushy Run Battlefield
Fort Pitt Museum
Old Economy Village

South Central Region

Joseph Priestley House

South East Region

Hershey - Lancaster - Reading Area

State Museum
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Ephrata Cloister
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Conrad Weiser Homestead
Daniel Boone Homestead

Philadelphia Countryside

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Graeme Park
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Pennsbury Manor

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, adjacent to the State Capitol in Harrisburg, will display the original Penn Charter for one week in early March. The Museum also offers 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.

In Pennsylvania, all roads lead to history. To help find your path, Pennsylvania’s Trails of History lead you through our nation’s farming, industrial, military and community roots. Explore one site at a time, travel an entire trail, or create your own roadtrip to Pennsylvania and our nation’s past. To learn more about Pennsylvania’s Trails of History, click here or follow the PA Trailheads blog.