Charter Day 2023

Pennsylvania was created when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in 1681. Celebrate Pennsylvania’s 342nd birthday with free admission to several Lancaster-area, state-owned museums, including Ephrata Cloister, Cornwall Iron Furnace, and the Railroad Musuem of Pennsylvania. The State Museum in Harrisburg will also be free and display William Penn’s original charter. The charter will be on display until 1:00 pm on March 17.

Landis Valley: On this free Sunday, the museum opens at noon and closes at 4:00 pm. To celebrate the day, some of our craft demonstrators will be on-site and multiple buildings open. A free scavenger hunt will be available for children at the Visitor Center. Our museum store will be open from noon to 4:00 pm, too.

Ephrata Cloister:  From 12-4 p.m., visit the grounds and see demonstrations.

Cornwall Iron Furnace: Cornwall Iron Furnace will be offering free guided tours on Sunday March, 12th from noon – 4 p.m. as part of a statewide celebration of Pennsylvania’s Birthday called “Charter Day.”

Railroad Musuem of PA: From 12-4 p.m., come and experience our world-class collection of more than 100 historic locomotives and railroad cars, made and/or operated in the Keystone State.