What to Do in November

I can hardly believe that it’s November already, but it is (almost). It seems like October just started and now it’s over. But then I probably wrote that last year at this time (no, I’m not going to check). Some site schedules change this month for the winter, so be sure to check ahead to avoid disappointment. Most sites will be closed on Nov. 11 for Veterans Day, but Fort Pitt Museum, Pennsylvania Military Museum, and Railroad Museum of PA will be open. All sites on the Trails of History will be closed on Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving. You can avoid the Black Friday shopping crowds on Nov. 25 by visiting Fort Pitt, Old Economy Village, PA Military Museum, Railroad Museum of PA, The State Museum, or Washington Crossing Historic Park (all other sites will be closed).

Speaking of shopping, don’t forget the Holiday Marketplace in Harrisburg Nov. 17 and 18, organized by the Pennsylvania Heritage Society and featuring museum store goodies from Ephrata Cloister, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Pennsbury Manor, Somerset Historical Center, and The State Museum of PA.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Nov. 12 and 13, Under the Lackawanna Moon-telling northeastern Pennsylvania's history through monologue, dialogue, and music, this presentation shares the experiences of the area's settlers and early residents; seating is limited and reservations are recommended (call the Museum at 570/963-4804).
Nov. 19, Annual Meeting and Program-join the Anthracite Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces Associates for their annual luncheon and then a panel discussion on the mine fires of Carbondale and Centralia; there is a fee for lunch but the panel discussion is free (call 570/963-4804 for more information or to reserve your spot).
Nov. 20, Lecture—Part of the Lackawanna Audubon Society lecture series; check the LAS website for details.

Brandywine Battlefield
Nov. 26, Patriots Day—reenactors, firing demonstrations, cooking on an open fire, and more (plus a 10% discount in the museum shop—20% discount for members).

PHMC/Conrad Weiser Homestead

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Nov. 19, Candlelight Tours—enjoy an evening of living history and 18th-century music; check the website for more information.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Nov. 8, Friends Lecture Series—local historian Don Rhoads, Jr., will present a program entitled “Railroads of Lebanon County” (held in the auditorium of Freeman Hall at Cornwall Manor). Rhoads will use historic images of structures, equipment, and artifacts to bring several railroad companies to life.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Nov. 6, Boone Birthday Program—help celebrate Daniel Boone’s 277th birthday at his childhood home, with house tours, storytelling, old-fashioned toys, and birthday cake (yum).
Nov. 13, Fall Lecture Series—“Small Pox and Dysentery: Medicine in the Eighteenth Century” features Wendy Moyer from the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, who will speak about colonial medical procedures, home medicine, and the changing medical profession in the 18th century.
Nov. 20, Fall Lecture Series—“The Interstate System of the 1800s and Berks County’s Connection” will be the topic of Glenn Wenrich, President of the Pennsylvania Canal Society and volunteer at the Berks County Heritage Center, as he explores the importance of canals in early America.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Nov. 13, Fall Lecture Series—local author Jolene Busher will be on hand to talk about and sign her new book, Patchtown, Life in Eckley Miners’ Village 1860-1920 (more info available here).

Graeme Park
Nov. 27, Craft Fair—Friends of Graeme Park will team with the Friends of Hope Lodge for this event; check Graeme Park’s website or Facebook page for details.

PHMC/Hope Lodge

Hope Lodge
Nov. 5-6, Whitemarsh Encampment—this popular program is a reenactment of a 1777 encampment of the Continental Army; costumed reenactors, sutlers, and craftspeople will be on hand. For details and a coupon good for $1 off the admission fee, go here.

Joseph Priestley House
Nov. 6, Heritage Day—costumed interpreters will be on hand as you tour the house and laboratory on your own. Don’t miss the new exhibit in the laboratory (more info on that here).

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Nov. 10, Hands on History—children of all ages can learn more about history by participating, so why not try it?
Nov. 12, Holiday Tin Class—learn to make your own holiday ornaments from Landis Valley craft demonstrator Beth Feaser; choose morning or afternoon session and register by calling the Weathervane Museum Store at 717/569-9312.

Pennsbury Manor
Nov. 6, Annual Meeting and Lecture—Former FBI special agent Robert K. Wittman will speak about his career tracking down stolen art and artifacts, including items stolen from Pennsbury in 1996.
Nov. 20, Open Hearth Cooking—“The Cook’s Choice” will showcase 17th-century recipes and techniques.

PHMC 2011 Religion Theme Lectures
Nov. 10, An Abundance of Sacred Places—this program will explore preservation issues related to historic places of worship; location is Trinity Center for Urban Life, Philadelphia.
Nov. 17, Religious Pluralism and Tolerance—William Penn’s legacy of religious freedom and its modern expression will be addressed by several speakers; location is Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell United Methodist Church, Harrisburg.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Nov. 2-23, Exhibit, Santa’s Draft Card--Reverend Santa Claus of Saline County Missouri registered for the draft in World War II. A copy of his draft registration from the Selective Service System will be on display in the month long exhibit.
Nov. 19, Kids Day: Dress Up and Discover—visitors age 3-13 get in for half-price and will find new ways to experience the museum. The museum education collection of field gear and head gear will be available for try-on (and photo ops) along with other discoveries.

PHMC/Railroad Museum of PA

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Nov. 5-6, Trains and Troops—learn about the important relationship between America’s railroads and military heritage through displays, programs, and reenactments; the program also includes a salute to veterans. And you can “Take the Swing Train” Saturday night, enjoying the music of the Sound of Roses Big Band. Check the website for ticket information (Trains and Troops is included in museum admission, but there is an additional charge for the dance; combination tickets are available).

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Nov. 5, Workshops in Archaeology—“A Synthesis of Native American Archaeology in Pennsylvania: What We Have Learned in 25 Years of Publicly Funded Archaeology” will present numerous speakers and sessions. Fee is $20 in advance ($15 for members) and $25 at the door. Complete program and registration info are here.
Nov. 20, Exhibit opening—“Making it Better,” an exhibit featuring the work of more than 30 master artists working in a wide variety of traditions; this is a traveling exhibit from the Erie Art Museum (which was just awarded a 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service). On Nov. 18, as part of Harrisburg’s 3rd in the Burg, there will be a preview of the exhibit from 6 to 8 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Nov. 13, Cook Like Your Ancestors—a hands-on open hearth cooking class culminating in a delicious, shared meal. Registration and fee required, call 267-475-2353 (for photos of smiling, happy participants in the September version of this program, go here).