PHILADELPHIA, March 18 (AGCNewsNet) – The Penn Museum is undergoing its most extensive renovation to date, revamping its Ancient Egypt and Nubia Galleries as part of a long-term transformation project that will reshape 75% of the museum’s footprint.

The renovations, part of the museum’s Building Transformation project launched in 2014, will take place in two phases and are set to be completed by 2028. The project focuses on reimagining two floors of the Coxe Egyptian Wing, which houses a vast collection of 50,000 artifacts from 4,000 B.C.E. to the seventh century C.E.

According to Penn Museum Director Christopher Woods, the revamped galleries will offer visitors an unparalleled experience. “Nowhere else outside of Egypt will visitors be able to walk through soaring architectural elements of an ancient Egyptian palace,” he said.

The first phase, expected to conclude by the end of 2026, will feature a 7,145-square-foot Egypt gallery anchored by the limestone tomb chapel of Kaipure, displayed in full for the first time in over 30 years. The second phase, set for completion by late 2028, will unveil the Royalty and Religion exhibition on the Upper Level, showcasing the palace of Pharaoh Merenptah, including its 30-foot columns—on display for the first time since their excavation over a century ago.

To support these ambitious changes, the museum is reinforcing its structural framework with steel tie rods to accommodate the weight of the Merenptah palace on the Upper Level. Additional upgrades include modern lighting, climate-controlled artifact storage, and a dedicated study room for students and researchers.

The final phase of the museum’s transformation will focus on new galleries dedicated to Buddhism and the history of China.

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