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Museum Store Sunday is December 1

Combine holiday shopping with supporting your favorite museums on Museum Store Sunday!

December 1 is Museum Store Sunday, which encourages people to combine holiday shopping with supporting their favorite museums. Museum gift shops are really overlooked gems when it comes to finding unique and special gifts, whether for little ones or adults. Plus, you can usually use your museum membership to score some sweet discounts. (Stack that on top of your discounted membership thanks to your Philly Family supporting membership, and it’s even better!)

 

Here are some of our favorite museum shops in Philly, and some special selections, too!

Philadelphia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

The art museum’s new Main Store, located inside the restored North Entrance, has everything from toys to art reproductions to unique Philly-made gifts.  From the kid-favorite A is for Art Museum (highlighting the museum’s collection with questions that encourage the reader to think more deeply about the art) to the whimsical Philly Tarot Deck (from Ben Franklin to Gritty), you’ll find something for everyone on your list, no matter how classical or quirky.

 

From November 29 through December 1, during Black Friday weekend, the Store is offering a free gift with every purchase over $25 in-store.  On Museum Store Sunday, all Philadelphia Museum of Art museum stores will be offering 20% off their purchase in-store only.

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz

 

Please Touch Museum

4231 Avenue of the Republic

 

You know that you can’t visit the Please Touch Museum gift shop without your kid asking for about 10 different things, so pick out some of those things and the holidays are done! They’ve got toys, books, and even costumes! Plus, lots of STEM-based items for curious kids to explore. And if you just couldn’t get enough of that “Very Eric Carle” exhibit, the front section of the store always features the museum’s special exhibit, so you’ll find lots of takeaways for your little caterpillars!

Franklin Institute

222 N. 20th St.

Photograph by Charu DeWitt

 

From outer space to magnetism, the Franklin Institute gift shop has toys, books, clothes, and much more to satisfy your little (or big) science fan. The museum also creates a different nerdy “ugly sweater” themed shirt every year as well, for some unique holiday attire. Pro-tip: You don’t need museum admission if you just want to go shopping in the store!

 

 

National Museum of American Jewish History

101 South Independence Mall East

 

The shop at the National Museum of American Jewish History has an impressive collection of Judaica— from menorahs to mezuzahs, and everything in between—by artists like Michael Aram and Joy Stember. Always a great Hanukkah gift for the parents, trust me. They also have toys and books for the little ones, including fun baby gifts. This year, the store is even better with its “Notorious RBG” collection celebrating the special exhibit of the same name. You’ll find shirts, dolls, and more sassy, feminist, all-around-amazing items celebrating Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

 

Photograph courtesy of National Museum of American Jewish History.

 

For Museum Store Sunday, NMAJH is offering 20% off all regularly priced merchandise, and are also hosting a trunk show of jewelry by Freida Rothman.

 

Museum of the American Revolution

101 S. Third St.

 

For history buffs big and small, the gift shop at the Museum of the American Revolution is a dream come true. Clothing, Hamilton-themed gifts (of course), historic replicas, toys, and lots of books are just some of the selection of this massive shop.

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz

 

Academy of Natural Sciences

1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Rawr! This store is a must-visit for dino lovers. LEGO sets, books, clothes, and plenty of dino stuffies can be found in the Academy of Natural Sciences’ gift shop. There’s also an adult side of the store with nature-inspired art, jewelry, and housewares.

 

Photograph by Laura Swartz

 

The Barnes Foundation

2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Find a unique selection of homewares, books, jewelry, clothing, and more inspired by the Barnes’ collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern art. They also have a nice assortment of toys and puzzles for the creative littles in your life. In addition to their regular collection, the store has special items to celebrate their current “30 Americans” exhibit displaying painting, sculpture, and photography by influential contemporary African American artists.

 

Photograph courtesy of the Barnes Foundation

 

For Museum Store Sunday, the Barnes Shop is offering a 20% discount on all regularly priced items and a trunk show featuring local designer Cynthia Lawson of 2ChicDesigns. You can also get this discount online with code MSS2019 at checkout.

 

Lead photograph by Laura Swartz.

Contributing Writer

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