Say Yes to November

Trailheads video guide: back in June, Trailheads reported on an innovative partnership called the Great Lakes College Consortium, which put students on board US Brig Niagara for three weeks to learn about maritime history and the art of sailing a large wooden ship. One of the students created a video of the experience; you can check it out on YouTube.

Please note: The tour preference poll (to the right of your screen) closes tonight (10/29) at 11:59 pm, so make your Friday evening plans accordingly. Also, the deadline to submit nominations for new state historical markers is Jan 5, 2011 (click here for more info).

November brings seasonal changes to some site schedules, so please be sure that the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there. All sites on the Trails of History will be closed Nov. 25 for Thanksgiving, and most sites will be closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day and Nov. 26 for the day after Thanksgiving (the Railroad Museum of PA will be open both 11/11 and 11/26). Despite having three holidays packed into the month, there’s a lot to do.

Brandywine Battlefield
Nov. 27: Patriots Day—visit a reenacted encampment of British troops during the winter of 1777

Conrad Weiser Homestead

Nov. 6: Remembrance Day—the 250th anniversary of Conrad Weiser’s death will be observed with a recreated 18th-century funeral procession that includes the Weiser Battalion of the PA Regiment
Nov. 20: Guided Evening Tours—hear the voices of the 18th century in several vignettes and enjoy period music by Robert Mouland

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Nov. 9: Lecture, “The History of Campbelltown”—the speaker is local historian and author Don Rhoads, Jr., who will share information about the town’s 250th anniversary celebration last year. This is the final lecture of the 2010 series.

PHMC/Daniel Boone Homestead

Daniel Boone Homestead
Nov. 7: Boone Birthday Program—celebrate the birthday of the famous frontiersman and learn about his birthplace

Drake Well Museum

Now through Apr. 3, 2011: Watercolors and oil paintings from the museum's collection—works commissioned by Standard Oil Company in 1951—are on display at the Erie Art Museum as part of the exhibit, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Art Treasures from Regional Collections.”

Eckley Miners’ Village

Nov. 7: Lecture, “Lenni Lifeways”—speakers are Carla and Allan Messinger, consultants for the Native American Heritage programs of the Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Nov. 14: Lecture on 19th-century mourning practices—speakers are village volunteers Bob Vybrenner and Kate Conlin

Hope Lodge
Nov. 6-7: Whitemarsh Encampment—annual reenactment of the Continental Army’s encampment in November and early December of 1777, prior to their more well-known winter in Valley Forge

Joseph Priestley House
Nov. 7: Heritage Day—the highlight this year is the re-dedication of the George Pond Building, which has just been renovated; chemistry demonstrations by Dr. Priestley (aka Ron Blatchley) will be featured

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum

Nov. 12: Hands-on History Day—children (of all ages) get to try their hand at autumn farm chores, PA German crafts, one-room schoolhouse lessons and much more; wagon rides are also available
Nov. 12-13: Weathervane Holiday Open House—the museum store will feature a celebration of PA German folk art with unique and unusual items; light refreshments will be served

PHMC/Old Economy Village

Old Economy Village
Nov. 27: Christmas with Belsnickel—children (ages 6-12) tour the Village, make a craft project, and visit with Belsnickel (a traditional German figure, similar to Santa Claus but not as jolly); pre-paid registrations are required

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Nov. 4-24: Exhibit, “Santa’s Draft Card”—Rev. Santa Claus of Saline County, Missouri, registered for the draft in WWII; a copy of his Selective Service System card is on exhibit for several weeks
Nov. 9: Lecture, “Fort Monroe: the Key to the South”—presented by the Central PA Civil War Roundtable; speaker is John Quarstein, director of the Virginia War Museum in Newport News

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Nov. 5-7: Trains and Troops—reenactors will portray soldiers, civilians and railroaders from the Civil War to the present on 11/6 and 7; the Swing Dance the night of 11/6 brings the 1940s alive in Rolling Stock Hall; a special night photo shoot on 11/5 requires registration (due today, apologies for the short notice). Check the website for ticket options. During November and December, RMP is collecting new, unwrapped toys (Toys for Tots) and non-perishable food items (Central PA Food Bank).

Somerset Historical Center
Nov. 16 through April 9, 2011: Exhibit, “Wind Titans: A Pennsylvania Photo Essay”—photographs by State Museum staffer Don Giles provide a look at wind turbines, a new feature on the landscape in many parts of the Commonwealth, including Somerset County