Explore Medieval Art, Craftsmanship, and Castle Architecture at Glencairn Museum

Glencairn Museum — Bryn Athyn destination

Explore tours, workshops, and family programs

Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, presents a variety of guided tours, family-friendly programs, hands-on workshops, and seasonal exhibitions that highlight medieval life, religious artifacts, and masterful craftsmanship. The museum’s public offerings include educational programs for children, a 90-minute Highlights Tour, self-guided first floor access, and special seasonal events such as the Christmas in the Castle Tour paired with the World Nativities exhibition.

Signature experiences and what to expect

• Medieval Life Education Program — hands-on activities with stained glass, armor, and manuscripts for ages 7–12 that bring medieval material culture to life.
• Time Travelers: A Family Backpack Tour — interactive exploration designed for ages 5–12 focused on ancient artifacts and storytelling.
• Craftsmanship at Glencairn: Five Artists — a guided look at metalwork, stained glass, mosaics, stone carvings, and woodcraft created for the Pitcairn home.
• First Floor Self-Guided Access — open house format from 1:00–4:00 pm featuring the Bird Room, Great Hall, exhibitions like Cardboard Chronicles and Rushnyky, a history video, and activities for kids.
• Highlights Tour — a 90-minute guided experience that visits galleries, unchanged family spaces, and the Tower offering views toward Philadelphia.

Art, craft, and curated exhibitions

Glencairn interprets collections of stained glass, manuscripts, religious artifacts, metalwork, mosaics, stone carvings, and woodcraft. Exhibitions referenced in public programming include Rushnyky and Cardboard Chronicles, while seasonal displays such as World Nativities are featured during holiday offerings. Tours like From Tower to Garden focus on architectural symbolism and connect built spaces to themes of family, school, country, and church.

Workshops, concerts, and special events

Hands-on workshops provide practical learning: the Adorn Like a Roman workshop guides participants through jewelry making using brass and wire inspired by ancient techniques. The museum also presents musical performances, including chamber recitals such as Elizabeth Pitcairn and Friends, which feature works by Schubert, Prokofiev, and Dvořák in historic settings.

Plan a visit and choose the right experience

Visitors can select guided or self-guided formats depending on interest and age group. Family programs are specified for ages 5–12 or 7–12, making them suitable for young learners. The First Floor self-guided open house operates 1:00–4:00 pm and includes family activities and a short history video. The Highlights Tour lasts about 90 minutes and includes Tower access.

Why Glencairn Museum matters

• Authentic collections and historic, castle-like architecture built by Raymond Pitcairn.
• A range of educational formats including guided tours, workshops, and family backpack tours.
• Exhibitions and seasonal programs that pair material culture with curated interpretation.

Discover Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn for immersive tours, hands-on workshops, family education, and concerts that celebrate medieval life, craftsmanship, and religious art.