Free Local Museums & Art Exhibits

Are you looking for more FREE things to do with your kids in January? Here’s a list of free local museums and art exhibits. If you’re a homeschooler, you’ll also want to check out our Homeschool Trips & Classes Guide for January 2019.

A Musical Christmas at Mechanicsburg Museum

January 2 – January 16 from 12pm – 3pm
Cost: Free

“A Musical Christmas” is a new holiday-themed exhibit at the Mechanicsburg Museum Freight Station. The exhibit is a lively presentation featuring Christmas songs such as Let It Snow, Frosty, Toyland , Silver Bells and many others. There’s a large Lionel Train layout and Rudolph Village and train.

This Christmas exhibit also showcases old-time toys, holiday themed decorated trees and includes a scavenger hunt for the children. The exhibit is ongoing throughout the holiday season until Jan. 12, 2019. Exhibit hours are Noon – 3 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday in the Freight Station, 3 West Allen Street in Mechanicsburg.

Holiday Tours at Historic Pennypacker Mills

January 2 – January 6 from 10am – 4pm
Cost: FREE

Take a tour through historic Pennypacker Mills for an unforgettable Victorian Christmas experience! Using vintage inspired ornaments, the Christmas traditions of the early 1900’s, and how the Pennypackers spent their holiday, the site creates a magical experience for visitors.

Pennypacker Mills is the home of Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker (1903-1907) and his family. Set on 170-acres of bucolic farmland, the mansion is completely furnished and houses an extensive collection of official and personal artifacts of the Pennypacker family. Operated by the County of Montgomery, the site is open year-round for guided tours, seasonal events, educational programs, changing exhibits, and special programs.

Heritage Press Museum

Did you know that your family or school group can see an exhibition of letterpress printing and demonstrations at the 1920s Heritage Press Museum Lancaster County Print Shop? Experience the job of a printer first hand as you use a 19th century press to print a keepsake to take home with you. This is an excellent small field trip idea!

Read about our family experience at the Heritage Press Museum here—it was very worth the trip!!!

Live demonstrations are held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 4pm (till 9pm every 1st and 3rd Friday). Sundays they are open from 12noon until 3pm. Call ahead to schedule a specific tour if you’ll be coming in a group. You’ll want to do this, because if they know your group name, you’ll get a neat little keepsake at the end with your group name on it.

The Ware Center

Did you know that the Ware Center, located right next to The Fulton Opera House, has a rotating art exhibit open to the public? We have gone to see the art displayed there several times, and occasionally the artist is around to talk to as well!

Lancaster Library – Free Museum Passes

The North Museum of Natural History & Science and the Library System together initiated a first-time ever Family Museum Pass in 2006. In an effort to reach out to better serve Lancaster County families, and bring the world of science to our youngest children, and family members, the public libraries and the North Museum launch a new family friendly initiative the “Family Museum Pass” Program.

The Family Museum Pass Program was awarded a “Best Practice, 2007” by the Association of Pennsylvania Public Library Systems in the “Creating Quality of Life @ your library” category. The project was published in “Opportunities…Hope…Potential…The Future of Pennsylvania: Sixth In A Series Of Essays On Issues Important To The Future Of The Citizens Of The Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, Essays on the Role of Libraries in Education”, presented by Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Dennis M. O’Brien, The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Vol. 6, Spring 2007.

Since the pilot project the program has expanded to include in 2007 the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia and in 2008 the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. In September 2009 the National Toy Train Museum in Strasburg joined the Family Museum Pass Program and in October 2009 we welcomed Ephrata Cloister as a partner. In 2011, we welcomed the 1719 Hans Herr House & Museum to the program. In 2012, we welcomed the Lancaster Science Factory. In the early fall of 2015 our newest partner to join the program is the distinguished Rock Ford Plantation.

The Family Museum Pass program provides FREE entry to families into these participating museums. We are grateful to all the museums that continue to partner with us and sustain the partnership beyond the initial year of collaboration. Each participating museum, the Len & Pat Eiserer Fund of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, and the Library System of Lancaster County jointly sponsor the Family Museum Pass program.

Read details about the Family Museum Passes to these participating museums: