The Matson Museum is closed for the spring 2025 semester while we transition to our new location in the Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building.
The Matson Museum is free and open to visitors Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests wishing to visit at other times or with a large group are invited to contact the museum staff to learn more about scheduling a visit.
Our Location
Starting in May 2025, the museum will be located on the first floor of the Welch Building in the northwest corner of Penn State University Park, very close to the Nittany Parking Deck, Nittany Lion Shrine, and Nittany Lion Inn. The museum is located within walking distance of restaurants both on campus and downtown
Support the programs and exhibits you love!
Frequently Asked Questions
Admission to the Matson Museum is always free!
Parking is available in the Nittany Parking Deck on Fischer Road, which charges $1 per hour and accepts cash, coins, or major credit cards.
Individuals and classes are welcome to photograph (without flash), sketch, or film objects on display. Social media posts are encouraged! For the safety of the objects and other visitors, we request that guests do not bring tripods, selfie sticks, or large camera bags.
For professional photography or filming opportunities, please email the Matson Museum staff.
Yes! There are many different museums scattered across the Penn State University Park campus. These museums include:
- All-Sports Museum: http://www.gopsusports.com/museum
- Arboretum at Penn State: http://arboretum.psu.edu
- Borland Project Space: https://arts.psu.edu/facilities/borland-project-space/
- Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery: https://museum.ems.psu.edu/
- Frost Entomological Museum: https://ento.psu.edu/about/facilities/frost
- HUB-Robeson Galleries: http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/art-galleries
- PAC Herbarium: https://sites.psu.edu/herbarium/
- Palmer Museum of Art: http://www.palmermuseum.psu.edu
- Pasto Agricultural Museum: http://agsci.psu.edu/pasto
- Radiation Science and Engineering Center: https://www.rsec.psu.edu/
- Special Collections Library Exhibit Gallery: https://libraries.psu.edu/specialcollections
- Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center: http://shaverscreek.org
- Woskob Family Gallery: https://arts.psu.edu/facilities/woskob-family-gallery/
The Matson Museum is currently following the guidance put forth by Penn State regarding testing, social distancing, and masking requirements.