Philadelphia Museum of Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an art museum on Fairmount hill in Philadelphia, United States, housing over 240,000 objects from antiquity to the present day. The building rises with its columns and monumental outdoor steps above the adjacent park and offers a wide view over downtown from the main entrance.

The city hosted the 1876 Centennial Exhibition, which featured an initial art pavilion that later became the seed of this institution. The present main building on the hill was constructed between 1919 and 1928 following plans by several architects and greatly increased the exhibition space.

The sweeping outdoor steps of the building appeared in many films and draw daily visitors who take photos there and enjoy the view across the city. Inside, the museum presents a large collection of armor along with a fully reconstructed 16th-century Japanese tea house.

Visitors find thematically organized galleries across several floors that spread throughout the building and are accessible from a central hall. Those who wish to explore all areas should plan several hours and wear comfortable footwear.

In the basement of the building lie restored vaulted rooms that formerly served as water storage and are now used for special exhibitions. The museum administration works closely with universities and regularly invites students to curate small exhibitions within the collection.

Location: Philadelphia

Inception: 1876

Founders: Anna H. Wilstach, William P. Wilstach

Architects: Horace Trumbauer, Zantzinger, Borie & Medary, Paul Philippe Cret, Julian Abele

Official opening: 1876

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture, Art Deco architecture

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Address: Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Opening Hours: Sunday,Monday,Thursday,Saturday 10:00-17:00; Friday 10:00-20:45

Phone: +1(215)7638100

Email: visitorservices@philamuseum.org

Website: https://philamuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 39.96583,-75.18139

Latest update: December 15, 2025 00:00