If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time to board a steam locomotive, tour a six-story castle, or climb into the gun turret of a U.S. Navy battleship launched during World War II, check out our Museum Pass Program. Your library card is your ticket to the past, giving you free admission to a list of museums and cultural attractions throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
It’s easy to take advantage of our popular Museum Pass program. Simply peruse the list of available sites and see what inspires you. Then reserve your pass online, opens a new window or call a library location! Many passes are sponsored by Friends of the Library groups throughout the system. Some passes are printable and some must be picked up, depending on the museum you select.
So, why not stave off those winter blues! Check out a Museum Pass and use the cold-weather months to brush up on some history, local and beyond. Here are some attractions we recommend:
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- Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania: Get up close and personal with more than 100 real locomotives and railroad cars, in addition to interactive exhibits and interactive displays – like flip panels and a mock locomotive firebox – for all ages. The museum is located in Strasburg, PA.
- Old Barracks Museum: Go back in time to Colonial America at this museum, which was built in 1758 as a camp for British soldiers during the French and Indian War. You’ll see a robust collection of early American artifacts, as well as reenactments and interactive programs. The museum is located in Trenton.
- The New York Historical: Founded in 1804, this was New York’s first museum. Current exhibitions include: Robert Caro’s The Power Broker at 50; Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection; and Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’s America. The museum is located in New York, NY.
- Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial: Take a self-guided tour through the country’s most decorated battleship. Floating on the Delaware River, the ship is home to a number of exhibits, artifacts, and interactive elements. The museum is located in Camden.
- Roebling Museum: Learn about Burlington County’s role in the industrial age at this space dedicated to the John A. Roebling’s Sons Company and its employees. Exhibits highlight the steel manufacturer’s part in building some of the country’s most famous and enduring bridges, ships, airplanes and more. The museum is located in Roebling.
- Simeone Foundation Auto Museum: If you like cars and automobile history, this is the spot for you. The museum is home to more than 20 exhibits featuring more than 70 racing sports cars, as well as a library and occasional Demo Days. The museum is located in Philadelphia, PA.
- African American Museum in Philadelphia: Celebrate the African American story all the way up to the present day at this museum featuring four galleries and an auditorium. You’ll find objects and exhibits that center on one of the museum’s three major themes: the African Diaspora, the Philadelphia Story, and the Contemporary Narrative. The museum is located in Philadelphia, PA.
- Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle: You’ll get two opportunities to peek into the life of archaeologist Henry Chapman Mercer at this historic site. The museum houses his massive collection of pre-industrial artifacts, and his estate at Fonthill Castle showcases his unique design sensibilities across 44 rooms, 200 windows, and 18 fireplaces. The museum and castle are located in Doylestown, PA.
