PA Museums

Exploring the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County

A collage of four photos showcasing various aspects of the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The top left photo features the exterior of the museum with its modern stone architecture and a pathway leading to the entrance. The top right photo captures a visitor admiring a wall of paintings arranged in a salon-style display in a gallery with red walls and a gray sofa in the foreground. The bottom left photo shows an exhibit of ceramics and other artifacts displayed in glass cases within a spacious gallery. The bottom right photo highlights a contemporary art gallery with colorful modern paintings and sculptures, including a large, vibrant portrait and an abstract piece, with seating provided for visitors to sit and enjoy the artworks.

If you’re looking for information about visiting the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, you’re in the right place!

The entrance to the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, featuring a modern architectural design with a facade made of light-colored stone tiles. The museum's name is prominently displayed in large, bold letters on the wall. To the right of the entrance, three posters advertise current exhibitions and events. A pathway lined with greenery leads to the glass doors of the museum, inviting visitors inside. A bench is placed near the entrance, providing a spot for rest and contemplation. The overall setting is clean and welcoming, reflecting the museum's significance in the region.

The Palmer Museum of Art on Penn State’s University Park campus is home to the largest art collection between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, featuring more than 10,500 individual works of art.

An interior view of a gallery at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, showcasing a variety of paintings and sculptures. Prominently displayed on the left is a large, framed painting depicting a dramatic, historical scene with multiple figures. To the right, another painting features a portrait of a seated woman in a vibrant, colorful setting. In the foreground, a small sculpture on a pedestal adds a three-dimensional element to the exhibit. The gallery walls are painted in a soft green color, and the wooden floor adds warmth to the space. Additional paintings are visible along the corridor, contributing to the rich and diverse art collection on display.

The museum celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, and opened in its impressive new home directly adjacent to the H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens in The Arboretum on June 1, 2024.

An exterior view of the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, showcasing its modern architectural design with light-colored stone walls. The building features large windows and geometric shapes, creating a contemporary aesthetic. A pathway leads to the entrance, where two visitors are walking toward the museum. The landscaped grounds surrounding the museum include young trees and well-maintained greenery. A metal sculpture is installed near the entrance, adding an artistic element to the outdoor space. The sky above is partly cloudy, providing a bright and inviting atmosphere.

Directions | Hours | Admission Fees | Parking

The Palmer Museum of Art is located at 650 Bigler Road, University Park, PA 16802.

The museum is open: Wednesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Friday–Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. | Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Admission is free, allowing everyone to explore the extensive collections without any financial barrier.

A detailed glass sculpture displayed at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The sculpture features a serene figure dressed in an intricately patterned blue and silver robe, holding a smaller figure in its lap. Both figures are adorned with delicate, ornate details. The background showcases a bright, airy space with reflective patterns created by natural light filtering through a lattice structure. The craftsmanship of the sculpture highlights the artist's attention to detail and the use of glass to create a lifelike and expressive piece.

Parking costs $1.00/hour, and the museum shares a parking lot with the Arboretum, adjacent to the museum (see map above).

A parking payment station located next to the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The station is equipped with a "Pay Here" sign featuring an icon of a hand inserting coins. The modern, automated machine allows visitors to pay for parking, with instructions and payment options clearly displayed. The background shows the museum's contemporary building with light-colored stone walls and large windows. The area is well-maintained with sidewalks, signage, and nearby greenery, providing a convenient and accessible parking option for museum visitors. The sky is partly cloudy, adding a pleasant atmosphere to the scene.

What You’ll See at the Palmer Museum of Art

Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted by the modern stone architecture of the new 71,254-square-foot facility.

A hallway at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, featuring a display of modern sculptures in glass cases. The sculptures, including a yellow vase, an abstract piece with orange and black elements, and a decorative vase with a white ring, are showcased on wooden pedestals with metal frames. The hallway is well-lit with natural light streaming in from large windows at the far end, providing a view of the landscape outside. The walls are lined with stone tiles, adding to the modern and sophisticated ambiance of the space. The polished floor reflects the light, enhancing the overall brightness and openness of the area. The hallway leads to additional gallery spaces, inviting visitors to explore further.

Inside, the galleries are thoughtfully curated, showcasing a diverse array of artworks.

A marble bust of a bearded man on display at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The sculpture is finely detailed, capturing the subject's thoughtful expression and intricate beard. Behind the bust, two framed paintings are visible: one depicting a woman reading and the other illustrating a lively street scene with horses and people. The artworks are set against a rich, dark red wall, creating a striking contrast with the white marble of the bust. The exhibit highlights the diversity of the museum's collection.

A visit to the museum offers the chance to view historically significant paintings, such as those in the American 19th and 20th century galleries, providing a glimpse into different eras and the artistic expressions of those times.

An exhibit on Impressionism at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The display features two framed paintings on a blue wall. The left painting, surrounded by a gold frame, depicts a sunlit pathway through a grassy field with trees. The right painting, in a dark frame, shows a snowy riverside scene with buildings and smoke in the background. Between the paintings, a text panel titled "The Spread of Impressionism" provides historical context about the art movement and its impact in the United States. The wooden floor and minimalist design of the gallery enhance the focus on the artworks.

The European art gallery showcases masterworks from across the continent, while the African art gallery features unique and powerful pieces that highlight the richness of African cultures.

A display of African art at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The exhibit features various artifacts, including a bull-headed mask with long raffia strands, a wooden statue, and a beaded garment on individual pedestals. The background shows additional African art pieces in a glass case and a wall plaque titled "Arts of Africa" providing context for the exhibition. The gallery is well-lit with a warm color scheme, enhancing the intricate details of the artifacts.

The ceramics gallery and glass gallery are equally compelling, presenting intricate works that demonstrate the artistry and craftsmanship of these mediums.

A ceramics gallery at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, showcasing a variety of ceramic pieces in glass display cases. The exhibit includes a large green bowl, a sculptural piece with intricate designs, and various other ceramic artifacts. The gallery is spacious and well-lit, with a modern layout that allows visitors to view the detailed craftsmanship of each piece. The background features additional ceramic works displayed on shelves and in cases, highlighting the diversity and cultural significance of the collection.

One of the museum’s highlights is the Pennsylvania Modern exhibit, showcasing the state’s maverick spirit through contemporary works by local artists.

A display titled "Pennsylvania Modern" at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The exhibit features three modern art pieces on a white wall. On the left, a blue geometric painting with a grid-like pattern. In the center, a smaller abstract painting with overlapping pink, red, and blue shapes. On the right, a mixed-media piece incorporating various textures and colors. The wall text explains the significance of modern art in Pennsylvania, highlighting the state's history of fostering contemporary works and the contributions of artists such as Franz Kline, Richard Anuszkiewicz, Edna Andrade, and Abe Ajay. The wooden floor and minimalist presentation enhance the focus on the artworks.

Comfortable seating arrangements encourage guests to sit and contemplate the art at their leisure.

A visitor examines a collection of paintings in a gallery at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The artworks are arranged in a salon-style display on a red wall, featuring a variety of scenes including landscapes, still lifes, and historical moments, all in ornate gold frames. A gray sofa provides seating in the foreground, offering a comfortable place for visitors to sit and enjoy the art. The wooden floor adds warmth to the space, creating an inviting and reflective atmosphere. The visitor stands in front of an interactive display, enhancing their experience and engagement with the collection.

As you wander through the galleries, you’ll encounter thought-provoking artwork everywhere you look, each piece telling its own story and adding to the museum’s rich cultural tapestry.

A contemporary art installation at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, featuring a triptych of expressive human faces. Each of the three panels portrays a different facial expression, ranging from anguish to intensity, with exaggerated wrinkles and detailed textures. The paintings are framed in gold and set against a plain white wall, emphasizing the dramatic and emotional impact of the artwork. A descriptive plaque to the right provides context for viewers, enhancing their understanding of the piece. The exhibit showcases the artist's skill in capturing raw human emotions.

The panoramic views from the museum’s large windows provide a beautiful backdrop, merging the exterior landscape with the interior art displays.

A large sculpture with circular elements is displayed inside the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, set against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows. The windows provide a clear view of the exterior landscape, including the museum's entrance pathway, greenery, and parking area. The modern architecture of the museum, with its stone walls and intricate exterior design, frames the outdoor scene. Two people are seen walking along the pathway outside, adding a sense of scale and life to the view. The interior lighting and the natural light from the windows highlight the sculpture's form and the overall spaciousness of the museum's design.

The museum’s architecture is not just modern but also thoughtfully designed to enhance the visitor experience.

A wooden staircase inside the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, showcasing a modern design with clean lines and a smooth, curved handrail. The stairs lead up to a higher level of the museum, with white walls and a ceiling featuring exposed beams and modern lighting fixtures. The staircase is well-lit, highlighting the natural wood tones and the architectural details of the space. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and contemporary, reflecting the museum's design and atmosphere.

The second floor features overlook areas that provide stunning views of the first-floor galleries, creating a sense of openness and connection between different exhibition spaces.

An overhead view of an art gallery at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, showcasing a variety of paintings and sculptures. The gallery features a spacious layout with a wooden floor and light-colored walls. Several framed paintings are displayed on the walls, depicting various subjects including portraits and historical scenes. In the center of the gallery, a gray bench provides seating for visitors. Two sculptures on pedestals are placed strategically within the gallery, adding depth to the exhibition space. A visitor is seen entering the gallery from the right side, enhancing the sense of scale and engagement within the museum.

The museum also features a spacious gift shop and cafe on the first floor.

The gift shop at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, featuring neatly arranged shelves filled with various merchandise. Items on display include branded clothing such as hoodies and t-shirts, books, and other souvenirs. The shelves are made of light wood, complementing the shop's clean and modern aesthetic. Above the shelves, a sign reads "Honey and Bill Jaffe Museum Store and Café." The shop offers a variety of products for visitors to purchase as mementos of their visit to the museum.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are an art aficionado or simply a curious visitor, the Palmer Museum of Art offers a fulfilling and enriching experience.

A contemporary art gallery at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, featuring a variety of artworks. Prominently displayed in the center is a colorful, abstract portrait of a woman in a white dress. To the left, a painting of a person with a covered face and a smaller sculpture encased in glass are visible. On the right, a minimalist artwork depicting two silhouetted figures and a decorated vase in a glass case are displayed. The gallery is spacious with a wooden floor and white walls, providing a modern and clean backdrop for the diverse collection. A bench in the center invites visitors to sit and reflect on the art.

Its diverse collections and free admission make it a must-see destination in Centre County.

An interior view of one of the galleries at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA. The gallery features a variety of artworks, including a large triptych painting on the right wall depicting detailed scenes and portraits. In the foreground, a ceramic basket is displayed in a glass case on a pedestal, and another sculpture is placed on a pedestal nearby. A gray bench provides seating for visitors to admire the art. The room is well-lit with natural light filtering through large, curved skylights in the ceiling, enhancing the bright and airy atmosphere. A sign in the background indicates the entrance to another exhibit titled "Made in PA: On Paper." The wooden floor and white walls create a clean, modern backdrop for the diverse collection of art.

For more information, please visit the Palmer Museum of Art’s OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

A visitor at the Palmer Museum of Art in Centre County, PA, stands in front of a large painting depicting an interior scene with several figures dressed in historical clothing. The painting, rich in detail, shows women spinning and a man seated, all engaged in a domestic activity. The artwork is framed in an ornate dark frame and set against a red wall. To the right, a smaller painting of a woman reading is displayed in a gold frame. The visitor, wearing a green patterned shirt and white pants, holds a pamphlet and appears to be closely studying the artwork. The wooden floor adds warmth to the gallery space, enhancing the viewing experience.

Nearby Attractions

31 Must-See Attractions in Centre County is your guide to more of the best things to see and do in Centre County.

The best things to see and do in Centre County PA. — Scenes from Centre County.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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