#MuseumWeek : Searching for historic engagement

Today's guest blogger is Sean Adkins, PHMC's Information Specialist.

Next week, follow @PHMC on Twitter as we highlight our collections and offer a behind-the-scenes look at exhibits during #MuseumWeek.

A week-long program set to kick off Monday, March 23, #MuseumWeek is a global social media effort that partners thousands of museums with Twitter, encouraging institutions to tweet about their collections while urging the public to share their memories and experiences.

Each day of the week carries a different theme designed to introduce visitors to what goes on behind the scenes at museums, large and small.  Those who log on will not only unearth long-held secrets, but will also learn the stories behind the architecture of each institution.  Visitors are encouraged to share photos and videos of what they like best about their museum.

The themes are broken into seven hashtags including #secretsMW, #souvenirsMW, architectureMW, #inspirationMW, #familyMW, #favMW and #poseMW.

Start the week by going to @PHMC on Twitter.  Look for tweets leading to behind-the-scenes videos that explain how exhibits go from ideas to fleshed-out displays. Watch as volunteers learn how to educate visitors with the help of a recently fabricated period cart.  Catch a clip of renovation experts  revamping the dioramas inside The State Museum's Mammal Hall.

Behind-the-scenes volunteer training, State Museum of PA

On Wednesday, tour The State Museum with PHMC's architectural supervisor and discover the secrets of Midcentury Modern design.  Finish off the week with our five CAP curators as they pose with William Penn.

And don't forget to look for #MuseumWeek tweets from or share your memories of other sites along the Pennsylvania Trails of History. Pennsbury Manor (@PennsburyManor) and Landis Valley (@LandisValley) have signed up, but many others are on Twitter. UPDATE: Washington Crossing Historic Park (@FriendsofWCP) has now registered.

Exhibit installation currently underway, PA Lumber Museum

We have a lot planned for #MuseumWeek, but what we want most is to hear from you.  What secrets of the museum would you like us to reveal?  Share your favorite museum memories and allow us to retweet your experiences.

Leave a comment on the PA Trails of History Facebook page telling us what you'd like to discover about Pennsylvania's history.