State Museum closed for $80 million renovations

The State Museum closed over the weekend as workers begin an almost $80 million facelift of the landmark building alongside the state Capitol. Plans include a rooftop viewing platform overlooking the Capitol complex and downtown Harrisburg.

"We are officially transitioning from years of careful planning into the physical work of building tomorrow's State Museum. Securing these talented Pennsylvania-based firms ensures our revitalization remains firmly on schedule, allowing us to deliver a world-class, modernized facility to the Commonwealth," Andrea Lowery, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission said in a statement.

The $79.73 million project is the most comprehensive renovation to the museum complex since the museum and tower opened in 1964.

The 20-story tower on the corner of Third and Forster streets has been largely vacant since the new $75 million archives building opened on North Sixth Street in Harrisburg in 2023.

The former archives tower will be converted to store items in the museum's collection, with upgrades to improve humidity control and add fire suppression.

Planned improvements

-- A renovated lobby featuring a new introductory exhibit and media experience to greet visitors

-- The installation of two 15-person passenger elevators in both the museum building and tower

-- A dynamic new event space and roof terrace on the fifth floor of the tower

-- A new observational level on the 16th floor of the tower and new museum stores and other amenities

-- A new changing exhibit gallery designed specifically for hosting special artifact loans and traveling exhibits.

Officials kept the museum open through Sunday so that it would be available for visitors during the celebration of the country's 250th anniversary. The facility is expected to reopen in 2029.

Winning bidders for construction

-- General construction -- $43.25 million, Wohlsen Construction, Lancaster

-- HVAC -- $16.05 million, Midline Mechanical, Ephrata

-- Electrical -- $14 million, Cyprium Solutions, East Petersburg

-- Plumbing -- $6.4 million, Jay R. Reynolds, Willow Street.