UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Museum Consortium will hold the spring 2024 "Night at the Museums" on April 25. Participating museums on the University Park campus will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. This is a chance for students, staff, faculty and the community to visit a variety of unique and interesting museums across campus. Admittance to the museums is free and open to the public.
“This event is designed to bring people to visit the museums,” said Patti Wood Finkle, collections manager for the Earth and Mineral Sciences Museum & Art Gallery. “Staying open until 8 p.m. provides an opportunity for people who may not be able to attend during the day to attend after work.”
During "Night at the Museums," attendees will be able to visit the Pennsylvania Agricultural College (PAC) Herbarium and see the collection that spans almost two centuries, from the oldest specimen collected in 1830 up to the present day. Established in 1859 with 3,000 specimens donated by Penn State’s first president, Evan Pugh, the collection has since grown to over 100,000 items.
Attendees can also visit the Frost Entomological Museum to explore the diversity of insects and how they impact our lives by viewing exhibits to learn about the biological invasion of spotted lanternfly, honeybee biology and beekeeping, insect pollinators, and many more.
The Armsby Respiration Calorimeter Museum will also be open, where on display is the historic calorimeter that was used to monitor an animal's metabolism to determine the net energy value of animal food. It attracted worldwide scientific interest and helped to develop feeds of higher nutritive value. In 1904, the design of the Calorimeter Building won a grand prize at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.
Participants will also be able to see inspiring art in the HUB-Robeson Art Alley, view beautiful crystals and artwork from the Steidle Collection of American Industrial Art in the EMS Museum & Art Gallery, stroll the lighted pathways of the Arboretum at Penn State, and be inspired by natural beauty at the Shaver's Creek’s Environmental Center.