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.
- 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 fail to pick up a reserved pass twice in a 45-day period you will be blocked from reserving passes for 45 days.
- If you reserve a pass and then change your plans, please cancel your reservation by calling any library branch.
- Patrons may not check-out the same museum pass multiple times within a 40-day period.
- Passes are checked-out for a three-day loan period and are not renewable.
- For example, if a pass is reserved to be picked up on a Friday it must be returned Sunday, regardless whether it was checked out on Friday or Saturday. If the branch is closed the due date, the pass must be returned in the book drop on that date.
- Passes must be picked up and returned only to the owning branch.
- Passes may be returned in the book drop of the owning branch.
- 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.
Grounds for Sculpture discontinued their Museum Pass program for libraries as of September 30, 2019 and we can no longer offer this pass to our patrons.
Table of Contents
Academy of Natural Sciences
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.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- Hickory Corner
- Lawrence
- West Windsor
Battleship New Jersey
https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/
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.
This pass is available at:
- West Windsor
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
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:
- Hopewell
Eastern State Penitentiary
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.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- Lawrence
- West Windsor
Elmwood Park Zoo
https://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/
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.
- Ewing
- Hickory Corner
- Lawrence
Independence Seaport Museum
https://www.phillyseaport.org/
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.
This pass is available at:
- Hickory Corner
Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle
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
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.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- West Windsor
Museum of the American Revolution
he 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.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
National Constitution Center
https://constitutioncenter.org/
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.
This pass is available at:
- Ewing
- Lawrence