Home to over a million objects from around the globe, the Penn Museum has been bridging the study of archaeology and anthropology since its founding in 1887. Spend the day immersed in ancient art and culture with art historian Renee Gondek, who offers a lecture on Greek art and ceramics en route to Philadelphia.
A guided highlights tour of the museum gives you a taste of its vast collection and the chance to see Sumerian cuneiform tablets—with some of the world’s oldest writing—Buddhist sculptures, Native American regalia, and monumental Egyptian statues. Don’t miss the Sphinx of Ramses II: It weighs a colossal 26,000 pounds and is more than 3,000 years old.
After a catered lunch at the museum, the second tour of the day focuses on the Greek gallery, which represents the history and culture of Greece from 3000 to 31 B.C.E. This collection brings to life objects that Gondek discussed on the way to the museum.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
Know Before You Go
- The tour departs by motorcoach from downtown Washington, DC with a designated secondary pick-up outside the city. Content delivered by the study leader on the way to the destination, after the secondary pick-up, is an integral part of the study tour experience. Meeting the group once the tour is en route is discouraged.
- Tour participants meet at and leave by bus from the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St., SW (corner of 6th and C Sts., SW), with a pickup stop at the I-495 Exit 27 commuter parking lot at about 7:55 a.m.
General Information
- Updated: Registration for this tour will end by 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
- Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
- As we aim to move away from single use water bottles, guests are strongly encouraged to get in the habit of bringing their own reusable water bottle on tour.
- For additional tour information:
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
