This month, the Please Touch Museum will begin a $4.2 million project to renovate and restore the historic Memorial Hall, writes Cherise Lynch for NBC 10 Philadelphia. 

The multi-million dollar plan includes restoring the marble floor and repairing the iconic dome and building exterior. 

Memorial Hall was originally built in 1876, and the building has been the home of the Please Touch Museum since 2008.

“Memorial Hall has been home to many organizations since it opened its doors as the art museum for the 1876 Centennial Exposition, the first World’s Fair held in the United States,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker in a news release. “As one of two buildings remaining from the 1876 World’s Fair and a National Historic Landmark, it’s our responsibility as a city and community to preserve this Philadelphia treasure for all to enjoy.”

The floor renovations are expected to begin this month and are expected to last approximately 15 months.

“Please Touch Museum has been advocating for Memorial Hall and the critical work required to return the building to its original grandeur so the community can continue to appreciate its historical significance and legacy in 2026 and beyond,” President and CEO of Please Touch Museum Patricia Wellenbach said in a statement.

Read more about the Please Touch Museum renovations in NBC 10 Philadelphia.

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