One Tank Trip News Feature

August 6, 2015

‎OneTankTrip‬ and Karin Mallett visited the Bryn Athyn Historic District three summers in a row (2013-2015) to do a series on Cairnwood Estate, Bryn Athyn Cathedral and now Glencairn Museum. Thanks to Karin, the OneTankTrip team and WFMZ for including us in this news feature!

http://www.wfmz.com/features/onetanktrip/one-tank-trip-glencairn-museum/34559442

Featured

Nov 27

November 27, 2026 – January 24, 2027

World Nativities

November 27, 2026 – January 24, 2027

Friday, November 27, 2026–Sunday, January 3, 2027
Open daily from 12:00–4:30 pm
Tuesday, January 5, 2027–Sunday, January 24, 2027
Tuesday–Sunday open from 1:00–4:30 pm
Closed Mondays in January
$5 per person, included with a guided tour/event attendance
Free for all Museum membership levels and children 4 and under

Glencairn Museum’s annual World Nativities exhibition presents dozens of three-dimensional Nativity scenes collected from around the world. For many Christians, the Nativity scene is a meaningful expression of religious faith, providing a compelling visual focus during the Christmas season. World Nativities shows how artists adapt the Nativity scene to represent their own spiritual, intellectual, cultural, and regional environments. Settings for many of the Nativities have been created by Bryn Athyn artist Kathleen Glenn Pitcairn.

November 27, 2026 – January 24, 2027

A Museum for the Academy Exhibition.jpeg

Mar 13

March 13, 2027 – October 31, 2027

“A Museum for the Academy”: The First 100 Years Exhibition

March 13, 2027 – October 31, 2027

March 13—October 31, 2027
March 13—March 28, 2027
Saturday and Sunday 1:00–4:30 pm
March 30—October 31, 2027
Tuesday–Sunday 1:00–4:30 pm
$5 per person, included with a guided tour/event attendance
Free for all Glencairn Museum membership levels and children 4 and under

In 1878, the Academy of the New Church established a museum in Philadelphia under the leadership of one of its founders, the Reverend William Henry Benade. From its earliest days, the Museum brought art and artifacts into the educational life of the Academy, making the study of religious beliefs and practices tangible, sensory, and experiential. As the Academy developed and later moved from Philadelphia to Bryn Athyn, the Museum moved with it, and its growing collection became an enduring part of the Academy’s educational mission.

Presented as part of the Academy of the New Church’s 150th-anniversary celebration, “A Museum for the Academy”: The First 100 Years traces the Museum’s history from its founding in 1878 until 1980, when it joined the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn collection to become Glencairn Museum. The exhibition explores the people, objects, and places that shaped the Museum during its first century and reveals how its commitment to object-based learning remained central to its mission. The exhibition’s title comes from an 1878 letter by Benade, who envisioned the growing collection as “a Museum for the Academy.”

March 13, 2027 – October 31, 2027

Featured

Nov 27

November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Christmas in the Castle Tour

November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Friday, November 27, 2026–Sunday, January 3, 2027
Monday–Friday at 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, and 3:00 pm
Saturday–Sunday at 12:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, and 2:30 pm
$15 Adult
$12 Seniors and Students
Free for all Museum membership levels and children 4 and under
Visit our Special Rates page for discounted ticket options.

For forty years (1940s to 1970s), the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn family celebrated Christmas at Glencairn with a concert, a large three-part Nativity scene, a decorated tree that reached beyond the second-floor balcony, and a Christmas day meal. This 60-minute guided holiday tour visits five different floors, including the Tower and Bedroom suite. Your guide will take you on a journey back through time to explore how the Pitcairn family celebrated Christmas in their 20th-century castle. At the conclusion of the tour, visitors can enjoy self-guided access to the World Nativities exhibition.

November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027

Nov 28

November 28, 2026

World Nativities Exhibition Opening Event

November 28, 2026

Saturday, November 28, 2026
10:00 am–12:00 pm
Free for all Glencairn Museum membership levels
Registration deadline: Sunday, November 15, 2026

Celebrate the opening of Christmas at Glencairn and the World Nativities exhibition with a festive morning at the castle. This exclusive event for Glencairn Museum members offers a first look at dozens of intricately crafted, three-dimensional Nativity scenes from around the world, displayed throughout the beautifully decorated first floor of the Museum.

Enjoy light refreshments and beverages and a special presentation by Christopher Malone, curator at Historic Trappe and the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies. Malone will give insights on the Moravian star and other Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas traditions.

Following the program, guests are invited to mingle with Glencairn Museum staff and preview highlights from this year’s Christmas in the Castle tour.

November 28, 2026

Dec 8

December 8, 2026

Glencairn Christmas Sing Concert

December 8, 2026

Tuesday, December 8, 2026
7:30 pm
Available to Gold and Patron level Museum members
Free | Advanced registration is required

Tickets for the Glencairn Christmas Sing have sold out.
An email with the registration link was sent to all active Gold and Patron Glencairn Museum members. If you are an active Gold or Patron member and did not receive the email, please check your junk folder for a message from Glencairn Museum. If you still cannot find it, please contact Visitor Services at 267.502.2600 to be added to the wait list.

For more than 80 years, the Glencairn Christmas Sing Concert has brought families and friends together to celebrate the season through music, reflection, and community. This beloved holiday tradition features an exceptional lineup of musicians, including the “Glencairn Horns,” a quintet led by renowned bass trombonist Blair Bollinger and comprised of current and former members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Bollinger has performed in the Christmas Sing for more than 40 years.

The evening also features internationally acclaimed violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn; pianist Jungeun Kim, Director of Instrumental Accompaniment at the Curtis Institute of Music; Les Canards Chantants, a critically acclaimed solo-voice ensemble known for its dynamic interpretations of Renaissance polyphony; and the Academy of the New Church Secondary Schools Concert Choir.

Woven throughout the concert are reflective readings from the Christmas story, a message of hope from Bryn Athyn Church clergy, and opportunities for the audience to join in beloved Christmas carols. Together, these elements create an evening that is both musically inspiring and deeply rooted in the joy and meaning of the Christmas season.

December 8, 2026

Dec 11

December 11, 2026

Christmas Homeschool Mornings

December 11, 2026

Friday, December 11, 2026
Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Thursday, December 17, 2026
9:45 am–12:00 pm
$8 per person, children 4 and under free

Advanced registration is required by 11:59 pm the day prior to each session.

Glencairn Museum welcomes homeschool families to its annual Christmas Homeschool Mornings. The morning includes a Christmas in the Castle tour, along with self-guided activities on the first floor.

December 11, 2026

Dec 12

December 12, 2026

Custom Carved and Pressed Ceramic Ornaments Workshop

December 12, 2026

Saturday, December 12, 2026
12:00–3:30 pm
$75 per person (includes a $10 fee for materials, glazing, and firing)
10% discount for Basic, Gold, and Patron level Glencairn Museum members
Ages 16+
Advanced registration is required by Wednesday, December 2, 2026.

Create one-of-a-kind ceramic ornaments inspired by the beauty of Glencairn Museum. In this hands-on workshop, you will design, carve, and press your own ornaments.

Begin by exploring Glencairn’s stunning spaces for inspiration, then transfer your design to a dry plaster block and carefully carve your mold. Each participant will be able to press six ornaments from their mold. The ornaments will then be glazed and fired by the instructor and ready for pickup before Christmas.

All tools and materials are provided. A design template and instructions will be emailed to participants in advance, giving you plenty of time to plan your design—or you can create your design at the workshop after gathering inspiration at the Museum. No prior ceramic experience is necessary.

December 12, 2026

Dec 15

December 15, 2026

Christmas Homeschool Mornings

December 15, 2026

Tuesday, December 15, 2026
Thursday, December 17, 2026
9:45 am–12:00 pm
$8 per person, children 4 and under free

Advanced registration is required by 11:59 pm the day prior to each session.

December 15, 2026

Dec 17

December 17, 2026

Christmas Homeschool Mornings

December 17, 2026

Thursday, December 17, 2026
9:45 am–12:00 pm
$8 per person, children 4 and under free

Advanced registration is required by 11:59 pm the day prior to each session.

December 17, 2026

Paper Marbling and Bookbinding Pic - 1.jpeg

Feb 20

February 20, 2027 – February 27, 2027

Introduction to Paper Marbling and Bookbinding 2-Day Workshop

February 20, 2027 – February 27, 2027

Saturday, February 20 and 27, 2027
2:30–4:30 pm
$125 per person (includes $15 materials fee)
10% discount for Glencairn Museum members
Ages 16+
Registration required by Monday, February 15

Join us for a two-day, hands-on workshop exploring the art of paper marbling and bookbinding. Create your own hand-marbled paper, then use it to decorate a small, hand-stitched book (approximately 4 × 6 inches). Choose from a variety of colors and patterns, and feel free to bring decorative paper from home to make your book uniquely yours. No prior experience or special skills are required. Access to Glencairn’s first floor is included in the workshop fee.

February 20, 2027 – February 27, 2027

Mar 6

March 6, 2027 – March 7, 2027

Pysanky Ukrainian Egg Dyeing Workshop (Weekend One)

March 6, 2027 – March 7, 2027

Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, 2027
Weekend One
Session 1: Saturday, March 6 | 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Session 2: Saturday, March 6 | 1:00–4:00 pm
Session 3: Sunday, March 7 | 1:00–4:00 pm

$50 (including materials)
10% discount for Patron, Gold, and Basic Glencairn Museum membership levels
Registration Deadline:
For March 6 and 7, registration deadline is Wednesday, March 3
For March 13 and 14, registration deadline is Wednesday, March 10
Ages 16+

Join us for a morning or afternoon of artistic exploration as instructor Wendy Hallstrom introduces participants to the historic and intricate process of creating pysanky, decorative eggs made in the Ukrainian Easter tradition. Participants of all experience levels are welcome, including beginners. Access to the Museum’s first floor, including “A Museum for the Academy”: The First 100 Years exhibition and interactive activities, is included in the workshop admission fee.

March 6, 2027 – March 7, 2027

Mar 11

March 11, 2027

Spring Homeschool Mornings

March 11, 2027

Thursday, March 11, 2027
Wednesday, April 21, 2027
Tuesday, May 4, 2027
9:45 am–12:00 pm
$8 per person, children 4 and under free
Registration is required by 11:59 pm the day before each session

Spring Homeschool Mornings at Glencairn Museum are back! This spring, we will continue our popular modular format, offering a variety of activities and crafts throughout the morning. Bring friends and family, explore the Museum’s galleries, and enjoy opportunities to connect with other homeschoolers. Registration is required, and space is limited.

March 11, 2027

Mar 13

March 13, 2027 – March 14, 2027

Pysanky Ukrainian Egg Dyeing Workshop (Weekend Two)

March 13, 2027 – March 14, 2027

Saturday and Sunday, March 13, and 14, 2027
Weekend Two
Session 4: Saturday, March 13 | 9:00 am–12:00 pm
Session 5: Saturday, March 13 | 1:00–4:00 pm
Session 6: Sunday, March 14 | 1:00–4:00 pm

$50 (including materials)
10% discount for Patron, Gold, and Basic Glencairn Museum membership levels
Registration Deadline:
For March 13 and 14, registration deadline is Wednesday, March 10
Ages 16+

March 13, 2027 – March 14, 2027

Mar 13

March 13, 2027

“A Museum for the Academy”: The First 100 Years Exhibition Opening

March 13, 2027

Saturday, March 13, 2027
9:45 am–12:00 pm
Free for all Glencairn Museum membership levels
Reservations Required by Monday, March 1, 2027

As a member of The Academy of the New Church family, Glencairn Museum is proud to offer an exhibition exploring the history of the Academy’s Museum. Presented as part of the Academy’s 150th-anniversary celebration, the exhibition traces the Museum’s first century, from its founding in 1878 until 1980, when it joined the Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn collection to become Glencairn Museum.

Glencairn Museum members are invited to celebrate the exhibition opening with refreshments and a presentation by Associate Curator Wendy Closterman. Members will also have the opportunity to take an elevator ride to the Tower, where they can look across campus toward the first building in Bryn Athyn to house the Academy Museum and, weather permitting, enjoy views of the Philadelphia skyline. The Museum’s 15-minute orientation video will also be available, offering additional insight into the collection’s early history and its move to Glencairn.

March 13, 2027

Mar 13

March 13, 2027 – April 4, 2027

Easter Art at Glencairn Tour

March 13, 2027 – April 4, 2027

March 13—April 4, 2027
Saturday and Sunday at 3:15 pm
$15 Adult
$12 Senior/Student
Free for all Glencairn Museum membership levels and children 4 and under
Visit our Special Rates page for discounted ticket options.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

This 75-minute guided tour features the Easter story illustrated through medieval works of art in stained glass, sculpture, and painting. The biblical narrative involves tremendous sadness, followed by great joy; key episodes highlighted on this tour include the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Ascension of Christ into heaven.

Visitors will also learn how Easter was celebrated by the Pitcairn family at Glencairn when it was their home. Three Easter dioramas were made in the 1920s for the Pitcairns by Winfred S. Hyatt, the principal stained-glass artist and designer for Bryn Athyn Cathedral and Glencairn. These scenes were an important part of the family’s annual Easter traditions.

March 13, 2027 – April 4, 2027

Apr 9

April 9, 2027

Curtis on Tour: Dohnányi Sextet Concert

April 9, 2027

Friday, April 9, 2027
7:30 pm
$40 General Admission
$20 Basic Glencairn Museum members
Free for Patron and Gold Glencairn Museum members
Patron members enjoy reserved seating; all other seats are general admission.
Reservations for Patron members must be made by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, April 6, 2027, to secure this benefit.

Glencairn Museum is pleased to welcome the Curtis Institute of Music’s Dohnányi Sextet for an evening of chamber music featuring piano, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, and horn. This concert is part of Curtis on Tour, the Nina von Maltzahn global touring initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music. Led by cellist Nicholas Canellakis, the ensemble features emerging artists Della Kyun, violin; Yunji Jang, viola; James Lee, clarinet; Liz Crafton, horn; and Jack Gao, piano.

The program opens with virtuosic duos by Schumann and Halvorsen, followed by Brahms’s lyrical Clarinet Trio. The evening concludes with Dohnányi’s expansive Sextet for winds, strings, and piano.

April 9, 2027

Third Thursdays in Spring at Glencairn Museum

Apr 15

April 15, 2027

Third Thursdays in Spring at Glencairn Museum

April 15, 2027

Thursday, April 15, 2027
Thursday, May 20, 2027
Thursday, June 17, 2027
4:00–7:00 pm
$15 adults
$12 seniors and students
Free for all Glencairn Museum membership levels and children 4 and under
Visit our Special Rates page for discounted ticket options

Join us for our Spring Third Thursday self-guided tour series and experience Glencairn Museum after hours! From 4:00 to 7:00 pm, explore the Museum’s galleries at your own pace, including spaces featured on guided tours and areas not typically open to visitors.

The Tower will be open, offering views of spring flowers and flowering trees across the landscape, as well as the Philadelphia skyline. Take a break from exploring and enjoy some end-of-day relaxation in the outdoor Cloister, where you can unwind by the fountain.

Staff will be available to answer questions and help you navigate the Museum. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available on the first floor.

April 15, 2027

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