As of November 2024, most passes are now digital and no longer need to be picked up or returned to the library, except for four. The following four are physical passes that must be picked up and returned to the library:
- Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
- Elmwood Park Zoo
- Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle
- Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
The Mercer County Library System makes available various museum passes at no cost to MCLS patrons with the following guidelines. The Museum Pass program is made possible through the generous donations of library support groups.
- Only MCLS patrons in good standing and 18 years of age and older may check out a museum pass with their valid MCLS library card.
- Digital passes are one-day use only and are only good for the date and patron printed on the pass.
- All other relevant information about the pass is printed on the pass. Some passes are marked that the museum will only accept them if they are printed out. Patrons are advised to use caution and print the pass at home before visiting the museum.
- The exception at this time is the Guggenheim, which allows entry up to 7 days after the date on the pass.
- Passes can be reserved up to 45 days in advance online or in person at any branch. The date of your reservation is the first day you pick up the pass.
- If you reserve a pass and then change your plans, please cancel your reservation by using the link provided in the pass reservation email or calling any library branch.
- Patrons may not check-out the same museum pass multiple times within a 40-day period.
- Physical passes must be picked up and returned only to the owning branch on the following day.
- Passes are checked-out for a two-day loan period and are not renewable.
- Pass availability is based on the museum and not the branch where the pass will be picked up. Please make sure to check the branch hours before planning on picking up your pass.
- Fines and Fees:
- The extended use fee for an overdue museum pass is $5.00 per day, with a maximum fine of $25.
- The charge for a lost museum pass is a $10 processing fee, plus any extended use fees and replacement cost of the pass.
- We advise patrons to check the website of each museum or call the museum before your visit to find out about current hours, unscheduled or unlisted closures, restrictions, special exhibits and information on public transit options. See below for details.
Note: Some museums will only accept a printed version of the digital pass. We encourage patrons to avoid potential issues and print the pass prior to leaving for your museum visit.
Academy of Natural Sciences
Admits two adults and five children under 18.
Founded in 1812, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is a leading natural history museum dedicated to understanding the natural world and inspiring everyone to care for it.
The Academy has more than 19 million specimens, all carefully documented and well-preserved for future generations. They serve as the foundation for an active research program that continues to focus on the critical environmental issues of our time, ranging from evolution and biodiversity to human health and climate change.
Battleship New Jersey
https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org
Admits two adults and three children under 12.
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial provides an up-close look at our nation’s military history. Guests of all ages and interests will enjoy their visit to this floating U.S. Navy museum of our nation’s largest battle ships ever built. From World War II to Korea, Vietnam and active duty during the 1980s, this is among the can’t-miss U.S. Navy museum ships open to the public today. A wealth of history along with engaging activities aboard our battleship museum awaits! This is a true crowd-pleaser among attractions in New Jersey for families.
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
Admits two adults and four children.
Located in Bucks County’s historic Pidcock Creek Valley, the Preserve is recognized for its ecologically diverse landscapes and features over 700 native plant species. Come explore about 4.5 miles of trails that wind through forest and meadows, and along streams and ponds.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- Hickory Corner
- Hopewell
- Lawrence
- Robbinsville
Eastern State Penitentiary
Admits six people. Pass cannot be used to get into Terror Behind The Walls.
Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held nearly 85,000 people over its long history, including bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and “Scarface” Al Capone.
Elmwood Park Zoo
https://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org
Admits two adults and six children.
Elmwood Park Zoo currently maintains a collection of over 100 species that hail from all over the globe. Highlights of the collection include giraffes, zebras, bald and golden eagles, jaguars, and red pandas. A number of species in the collection are managed pursuant to an international SSP (Species Survival Plan) These programs aim to maintain and increase the size of animal populations that are under the largest threat of extinction. Other species in the collection represent significant wildlife conservation success stories, such as the American bison, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and American alligator. About two-thirds of the animal collection is on exhibit; many others are maintained separately for use in education programs.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- Hickory Corner
- Lawrence
- Robbinsville
Guggenheim Museum
Admits four adults, plus $5 admission for a maximum of two additional guests. Children under 12 are always free.
Committed to innovation, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation collects, preserves, and interprets modern and contemporary art, and explores ideas across cultures through dynamic curatorial and educational initiatives and collaborations. With its constellation of architecturally and culturally distinct museums, exhibitions, publications, and digital platforms, the foundation engages both local and global audiences.
Independence Seaport Museum
Admits two adults and four children.
Immerse yourself in award-winning and interactive exhibits while visiting one of the largest maritime art and artifact collections in North America. Home to Cruiser Olympia, the oldest floating steel warship in the world, and Submarine Becuna, a Word War II-era submarine, there’s something for everyone.
Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle
Admits four people.
Mercer Museum – By 1897 handmade objects were being discarded in favor of new machine-made goods. Historian and archaeologist Henry Mercer (1856-1930) recognized the need to collect and preserve the outmoded material of daily life in America before it was swept away by the Industrial Revolution. Mercer gathered almost 30,000 items ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn vehicles and assembled this encyclopedic collection in a system of his own devising. To enhance the collection’s educational value, and to share it with the public, Mercer decided to design and build a museum to display the artifacts.
Fonthill Castle – Built between 1908-1912, Fonthill Castle was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930). Archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist, scholar and antiquarian, Mercer built Fonthill Castle both as his home and as a showplace for his collection of tiles and prints. The first of three Mercer buildings in Doylestown, Fonthill Castle served as a showplace for Mercer’s famed Moravian tiles that were produced during the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Designed by Mercer, the building is an eclectic mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles, and is significant as an early example of poured reinforced concrete.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- Lawrence
Morven Museum and Garden
Admits four adults.
A National Historic Landmark, Morven is situated on five pristine acres in the heart of Princeton, New Jersey. This former New Jersey Governor’s Mansion showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Garden State through regular exhibitions, educational programs and special events.
Museum of the American Revolution
Admits two adults and four children (ages 6-17). Children under 5 are always free.
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures.
National Constitution Center
https://constitutioncenter.org
Admits two adults and four children.
The National Constitution Center brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution.
The New York Historical
Up to two adults and four children.
New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better.
Old Barracks Museum
Admits four total.
As a touchstone for colonial and revolutionary history in New Jersey, the Old Barracks Museum brings the world of colonial America to life through interpretive programs, exhibits, and preservation so that visitors can appreciate New Jersey’s history, the diverse people who made it, and why it matters. The colony of New Jersey built the barracks in Trenton to house soldiers. Two hundred and sixty years later, the Old Barracks Museum is still teaching the history of the Revolutionary War.
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Admits two adults and four children.
A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, PAFA offers a world-class collection of American art, innovative exhibitions of historic and contemporary American art, and educational opportunities in the fine arts. The PAFA Museum aims to tell America’s diverse story through art, expanding who has been included in the canon of art history through its collections, exhibitions, and public programs, while classes educate artists and appreciators with a deep understanding of traditions and the ability to challenge conventions. PAFA’s esteemed alumni include Mary Cassatt, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, William Glackens, Barkley L. Hendricks, Violet Oakley, Louis Kahn, David Lynch, and Henry Ossawa Tanner.
Roebling Museum
https://www.roeblingmuseum.org
Admits two adults and all children in household under 18.
Visit Roebling Museum to learn about the town that helped build some of America’s most famous bridges!
Roebling Museum tells the story of the origins and growth of Roebling, NJ, a company town built by John A. Roebling’s Sons Company. Some of the most important technological achievements of the industrial age such as big bridges, telegraphs and telephones, electrification, deep mines, big ships, elevators and airplanes as well as everyday objects were built in Roebling. Here, ideas and diverse cultures were exchanged through work and the interactions of these communities changed the cultural and industrial landscape of New Jersey.
Simeone Foundation Museum
Admits four total.
Located in Philadelphia, PA, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is one of the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars. Through our theme, “The Spirit of Competition”, we celebrate the history and evolution of these magnificent machines.
Assembled over 50 years by Dr. Frederick Simeone, the Museum contains over 75 historically significant cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, and more.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
https://www.washingtoncrossingpark.org
Admits two adults and all children.
Washington Crossing Historic Park preserves the site of George Washington’s dramatic boat crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolution and is a National Historic Landmark.
Washington Crossing Historic Park offers more than 500 acres of American history, natural beauty and family fun. The park preserves the site where George Washington crossed the Delaware River and turned the tide of the Revolutionary War.