Glencairn Museum’s new in-person and virtual programs begin May 4

Glencairn Museum is offering visitors new ways to experience the castle and discover its fascinating history—first as a private home, now as a National Historic Landmark and museum housing a renowned collection of religious art and artifacts from around the world. Some programs are wholly new, while others have been restructured to include elements that have only been on view during Glencairn’s popular annual festivals and exclusive in-person events.

Beginning May 4 and continuing through October 31, Glencairn will host the new “Family Adventure Tour,” a self-guided, choose-your-own-medieval-adventure experience; self-guided access to the current Sacred Adornment: Jewelry as Belief in Ancient Egypt exhibition, Craftsmanship at Glencairn: Five Artists exhibit and Great Hall; and guided tours by appointment of the first floor and grounds.

The Museum is also releasing its Ancient Cultures mini-series of four videos beginning May 10.

These programs provide a fresh way to experience the Medieval and Ancient Culture programs Glencairn is known for. All first-floor tours now include access to both the balcony above the Great Hall, which offers its own tapestries, statues and close-up views of stained-glass windows, and the armory, which holds items related to battle in the Middle Ages and later and is rarely open to the public. Several significant pieces have been brought from galleries or storage to the first floor to enrich the visitor experience, such as Glencairn’s 16th century Spanish chant book, a sword from the armory and glassblowing tools used in the construction of the castle 1928-1939.

‘Family Adventure Tour’
Are you ready for a medieval adventure? In this choose-your-own-adventure self-guided tour, participants discover how herbs were used, train for battle, learn about everyday life through three different craft workshops and explore the religious beliefs and practices of Europe in the Middle Ages. As tour-goers complete an adventure path, they pick up an adventure badge—collecting all six to become a Glencairn Museum Adventurer. Suitable for families and young people in grades 3 to 8 and older.

• Participants in this tour receive a booklet describing the adventures, each distinguished by a color and a shape.
• Collect all six adventure badges: Herb Genius, Brilliant Knight, Perfectly Pious, Certified Scribe, Stained Glass Master and Expert Stonemason.

Not ready to take on a full adventure just yet? Glencairn’s Adventure Seek & Find, a part of the “Family Adventure Tour,” is suitable for families and children in grades K to 3.

Both options make use of the Great Hall, armory and balcony, as well as Glencairn’s medieval herb garden outside, weather and season permitting. Choosing just one path, all six or the Adventure Seek & Find gets participants of all ages up close with medieval art and objects on the first floor.

Registration details below for the adventure experience.

‘Self-Guided Access to the Sacred Adornment Exhibition, Craftsmanship at Glencairn Exhibit and Great Hall’
Sacred Adornment: Jewelry as Belief in Ancient Egypt encourages visitors to discover why jewelry was such an important part of daily life for ancient Egyptians. The stunning necklaces, bracelets and rings in a wide variety of materials from metals such as gold, copper, glass and semi-precious gemstones are all from the Museum’s Egyptian collection. Labels accompanying the items describe what researchers have discovered about the complex ideas that guided the artists and the hopes and beliefs of the people who wore this jewelry in ancient times.

The Museum has added a new exhibit, Craftsmanship at Glencairn: Five Artists, to the library in the Great Hall. Because Glencairn was designed as a home for their family, the Pitcairns selected decorative themes that conveyed beliefs that were important to them. This exhibit tells the story of five artists whose work in stone, wood, metal and glass brought these themes to life. Included are artist biographies, archival photos, tools, original drawings, and models created before finished works of art were completed.

Visitors can also access Glencairn’s popular audio tour of the permanent features, Sacred Adornment exhibition, Craftsmanship at Glencairn exhibit and the castle grounds via a free web app on their smartphones.

Glencairn’s guided tours of the first floor, led by a friendly, knowledgeable tour guide and currently available only by appointment, entertains visitors with an in-depth experience of the first floor, Great Hall and the permanent collections located there.

Registration details
Reservations are strongly recommended for the “Family Adventure Tour” and “Self-Guided Access to the Sacred Adornment exhibition, Craftmanship at Glencairn exhibit and Great Hall”; walk-ins accommodated as possible.
Register online using the “Buy Your Tickets” link at GlencairnMuseum.org or by phone 267.502.2990.
Max 10 ppl per time slot; larger groups: contact Visitor Services, 267.502.2990
For general accessibility information about visiting Glencairn Museum, please visit our
Accessibility page.

Time slots:

• Tuesday and Thursday mornings 10:00-11:30am
• Tuesday - Friday afternoons 1:00-2:30pm, 2:30-4:00pm
• Weekends 12:00-1:30pm, 1:30-3:00pm, 3:00-4:30pm

$8/pp, Free for children 3 & under & Members
PA ACCESS cardholders: $2/pp
Blue Star Families: Free for active duty military & families

Guided tours of first floor available by appointment only: contact Leah Smith 267.502.2993

Please review Glencairn’s up-to-date visiting guidelines at GlencairnMuseum.org before making your plans.

Ancient Cultures mini-series
Glencairn’s Education Department has developed the new Ancient Cultures video series from material in the Museum’s “Ancient Cultures Tour,” one of its popular programs for visiting school groups. The Museum will launch one video each week via Glencairn’s YouTube channel over four weeks beginning Monday, May 10. Access the links to each video—Ancient Near East, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome—and corresponding activity packet for each culture from the Educational Resources page on Glencairn’s website. There is no charge to view these videos from your home or classroom. The series will remain available on Glencairn’s YouTube channel and Educational Resources page.

For up-to-date information on these and other Glencairn programs: GlencairnMuseum.org or Visitor Services at 267.502.2990.