Visit Museums Virtually
While many local and national museums have closed in response to the growing public health threat of COVID-19, it may seem as though it is impossible to visit your favorite museum and learn something new. But fear not! Many local museums, as well as, national and international museums, offer virtual options to tour their museum, explore digital collections and exhibits, and many museums offer virtual lectures, events, and programs. Check out a list below of local and national museums you can visit from the safety of your home!
Disclaimer: While at first glance this list seems extensive, it is certainly not exhaustive. As of December 10th, 2020, this list includes museums that were offered through Tredyffrin Township Libraries Museum Passport Program, as well as respected local and national museums. Any questions about this list can be forwarded to Zoey at zmills@ccls.org.
Museums Local to Chester County and Philadelphia
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia)
- While the Academy of Natural Sciences is closed to the public, the museum still offers insightful and fun virtual programs and events.
The Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia)
- The Barnes Foundation offers a video series about the foundation’s art collection, which is updated frequently. In addition, online classes and lectures are available to enjoy from home.
Benjamin Franklin Museum (Philadelphia)
- Explore some of Benjamin Franklin Museum’s beloved exhibitions on their website, as well as, attending several virtual lectures and programs.
Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art (Chadds Ford)
- The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art offers engaging virtual tours and curator-led gallery talks of their collection and special exhibitions, activities for all ages, blogs, and resources for everyone to enjoy at home. Online museum offerings are updated weekly, so be sure to check back for new and exciting exhibits and talks.
Chester County Historical Society (West Chester)
- Dive into the Chester County Historical Society’s various collections and virtual exhibits that shed light of the history of Chester County. Additionally, check out their virtual lectures and programs.
Independence Seaport Museum (Philadelphia)
- Online exhibitions are available that highlight the Philadelphia region’s waterways through history, science, and art.
Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia)
- Explore the Museum of the American Revolution’s current virtual exhibit– When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story safely at home. You can also virtually tour the museum, as well as explore collection highlights, and attend virtual lectures and events.
Mütter Museum (Philadelphia)
- Virtually access some of the Mütter Museum’s collection by using their website and YouTube channel. Additionally, the Mütter Museum offers lectures and other events you can attend virtually.
National Constitution Center (Philadelphia)
- The National Constitution Center offers a myriad of ways to enjoy museum offerings during their closure. Attend live classes and lectures, join the museum for online debates about timely constitutional topics, explore their expansive media library, and dive into their exhibits through the museum’s virtual museum experience.
Penn Museum (Philadelphia)
- The Penn Museum offers a plethora of digital and online collections. Additionally, lecture recordings and live virtual events are available.
Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia)
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers plentiful options to view art through their ongoing, online exhibitions. Additionally, the museum offers virtual lectures and talks.
Rosenbach (Philadelphia)
- Explore virtual programs, at home learning resources, and Rosenbach’s Gallery Gateway for Digital Exhibitions all online.
National Museums
The Google Art Project
- Google partnered with thousands of museums and galleries to curate and archive priceless pieces of art, as well as, providing online tours of the most popular art museums around the world.
The Met (New York City)
- Virtually explore The Met’s art and architecture through short videos, filmed using special spherical 360° technology. Additionally, The Met offers online lectures and performances.
NASA (Washington D.C.)
- NASA’s Langley Research center offers virtual tours and talks that will inspire any autodidact. Additionally, you can get a special peek into NASA Glenn Research Center’s facilities all from the safety of your own home.
The National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C.)
- The National Gallery of art offers digital collections and online programs you can explore from home.
The Smithsonian (Washington D.C.)
- While the world’s largest museum complex is closed to the public, you can still learn from home. Explore a plethora of digital content and exhibitions for the Smithsonian’s 19 museums and galleries, as well as video and online events organized by historians, scientists, and museum curators.
