Celebrate Pennsylvania’s rich history: Free entry to museums and landmarks on Charter Day

William Penn was granted a charter from England’s King Charles II to create the state of Pennsylvania. To celebrate the 343-year old charter, many state sites are offering free admission on Sunday.

In March 1681, Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn. The charter is often referred to as Pennsylvania’s birth certificate.

To celebrate the 343-year old charter, and the creation of the commonwealth, many of the historic sites and museums along the state’s Trails of History will offer free admission on Sunday. In addition, the 1681 charter, written on parchment using iron gall ink, will be on display from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the new Pennsylvania State Archives facility on Sixth Street in Harrisburg.

The following historic sites and museums are offering free admission on Sunday. Check their websites for operating hours and other details:

• Brandywine Battlefield Park, Chadds Ford
• Bushy Run Battlefield, Jeannette
• Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf
• Cornwall Iron Furnace, Cornwall
• Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro
• Drake Well Museum, Titusville
• Eckley Miners’ Village, Weatherly
• Ephrata Cloister, Ephrata
• Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh 
• Graeme Park, Horsham
• Joseph Priestley House, Northumberland
• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster 
• Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville
• Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum, Scranton
• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Ulysses 
• Pennsylvania Military Museum, Boalsburg
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg
• Somerset Historical Center, Somerset
• State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg