School
Explore the Pennsylvania government at work while visiting the Welcome Center at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Exhibits highlight more than 300 years of Pennsylvania’s people, places, history, and industrial importance. Interactive exhibit elements allow students to debate and cast a vote, view an educational video titled "Uncommon Commonwealth," watch a virtual discussion between two legislators, and more. Students can also learn fun facts about Pennsylvania through fun floor projection games. Call 4-8 weeks in advance to arrange a meeting with your representative!
supports classroom learning in:
Social Studies, Art.
topics covered:
Government, law, civics, legislature, judicial system, executive branch, democracy, architecture, historical figures.
contact info
Name: Tour Guide Office
Phone: 800-TOUR-N-PA
INFO
ABOUT
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg for a tour of what Theodore Roosevelt claimed to be the "handsomest building" he ever saw. A National Historic Landmark, the Beaux-Arts style building was designed by Philadelphia architect Joseph Miller Huston in 1902. Guided tours offer students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers a chance to see the Main Rotunda, Senate Chamber, House of Representatives, Governor's Reception, and Supreme Court. Groups will see various works of art throughout the building, including the Welcome Center’ LEGO Commonwealth statue and ‘The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania’ by Edwin Austen Abbey in the House Chamber. Field trips to the Pennsylvania State Capitol will provide a chance for groups to learn about history, government, and architecture.
contact info
Hrs: Vary.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Legislature Lesson Plan
Field trips to the U.S. Capitol or state legislature can be a powerful learning experiences. Have your students study the history and structure of their state legislature or the federal government. How many members, how are they selected and how long do they serve? How are laws past and who are your representatives? What is the leadership and what are standing committees? When possible, make a reservation to visit your representative’s office.
View Lesson Plan>>
Scouts
Scout groups can work on Architecture, Public Policy, American Heritage, and other history-based badges while touring the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The building’s Beau-Arts style and Renaissance feel provides scouts with a place to complete Architecture badge requirements. The interactive exhibit in the Welcome Center allows scouts to take a legislative vote, watch a virtual discussion between two legislators, and more. Scouts will fun facts about Pennsylvania through fun floor projection games. Book 4-8 weeks in advance to arrange an opportunity for scouts to meet their representative.
supports scout badges in:
Social Studies, Art.
topics covered:
Government, law, civics, legislature, judicial system, executive branch, democracy, architecture, historical figures, public policy.
contact info
Name: Tour Guide Office
Phone: 800-TOUR-N-PA
INFO
ABOUT
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg for a tour of what Theodore Roosevelt claimed to be the "handsomest building" he ever saw. A National Historic Landmark, the Beaux-Arts style building was designed by Philadelphia architect Joseph Miller Huston in 1902. Guided tours offer students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers a chance to see the Main Rotunda, Senate Chamber, House of Representatives, Governor's Reception, and Supreme Court. Groups will see various works of art throughout the building, including the Welcome Center’ LEGO Commonwealth statue and ‘The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania’ by Edwin Austen Abbey in the House Chamber. Field trips to the Pennsylvania State Capitol will provide a chance for groups to learn about history, government, and architecture.
contact info
Hrs: Vary.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Legislature Lesson Plan
Field trips to the U.S. Capitol or state legislature can be a powerful learning experiences. Have your students study the history and structure of their state legislature or the federal government. How many members, how are they selected and how long do they serve? How are laws past and who are your representatives? What is the leadership and what are standing committees? When possible, make a reservation to visit your representative’s office.
View Lesson Plan>>
Camp
Summer camp groups are welcome to take a guided or self-guided tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Campers will marvel at the building’s rich architectural styles and enjoy a variety of activities in the Welcome Center. Field trip activities include taking a legislative vote, watching the by Schoolhouse Rock "I'm Just A Bill" video, and more. Scouts will fun facts about Pennsylvania through fun floor projection games. Book your field trip 4-8 weeks in advance to arrange an opportunity for camp groups to meet their representative.
contact info
Name: Tour Guide Office
Phone: 800-TOUR-N-PA
INFO
ABOUT
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg for a tour of what Theodore Roosevelt claimed to be the "handsomest building" he ever saw. A National Historic Landmark, the Beaux-Arts style building was designed by Philadelphia architect Joseph Miller Huston in 1902. Guided tours offer students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers a chance to see the Main Rotunda, Senate Chamber, House of Representatives, Governor's Reception, and Supreme Court. Groups will see various works of art throughout the building, including the Welcome Center’ LEGO Commonwealth statue and ‘The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania’ by Edwin Austen Abbey in the House Chamber. Field trips to the Pennsylvania State Capitol will provide a chance for groups to learn about history, government, and architecture.
contact info
Hrs: Vary.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Historic Site Lesson Plan
FUN FACTS
Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed; Boston’s Old State House, where the Boston Massacre and the American Revolution began; Washington D.C.’s National Mall, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech; Virginia’s Jamestown settlement, the country’s first colony; Charleston’s Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired; New York’s Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants were introduced to their new home. All of these sites, significant to America’s history, can be visited, toured, and admired. While visiting one of the many historical sites around the country, consider the importance in preserving these sites.
View Lesson Plan>>
Homeschool
Field trips to the Pennsylvania State Capitol bring lessons on government and legislation to life. Homeschoolers can explore the building’s Beau-Arts and Renaissance style before interacting with exhibits in the Welcome Center. Activities allow homeschool groups to debate and cast a vote, view an educational video called "Uncommon Commonwealth," watch a virtual discussion between two legislators, and more. Homeschoolers will fun facts about Pennsylvania through fun floor projection games. Call 4-8 weeks in advance to arrange a meeting with your representative!
topics covered:
Social studies, government, law, civics, legislature, judicial system, executive branch, democracy, architecture, historical figures, art.
contact info
Name: Tour Guide Office
Phone: 800-TOUR-N-PA
INFO
ABOUT
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg for a tour of what Theodore Roosevelt claimed to be the "handsomest building" he ever saw. A National Historic Landmark, the Beaux-Arts style building was designed by Philadelphia architect Joseph Miller Huston in 1902. Guided tours offer students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers a chance to see the Main Rotunda, Senate Chamber, House of Representatives, Governor's Reception, and Supreme Court. Groups will see various works of art throughout the building, including the Welcome Center’ LEGO Commonwealth statue and ‘The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania’ by Edwin Austen Abbey in the House Chamber. Field trips to the Pennsylvania State Capitol will provide a chance for groups to learn about history, government, and architecture.
contact info
Hrs: Vary.
HELPFUL LESSON PLAN(S)
Prepared by FieldTripDirectory.com
Legislature Lesson Plan
Field trips to the U.S. Capitol or state legislature can be a powerful learning experiences. Have your students study the history and structure of their state legislature or the federal government. How many members, how are they selected and how long do they serve? How are laws past and who are your representatives? What is the leadership and what are standing committees? When possible, make a reservation to visit your representative’s office.
View Lesson Plan>>