Into the New Year

Welcome to 2012, Trailheads. I hope you had a lovely wrap-up to 2011 and are ready to charge ahead. Winter tends to be a bit quieter on the Trails of History. Some sites are closed this month and next; some others are running on a reduced schedule. It’s always best to check ahead if you’re planning a visit. Most sites will be closed on Jan. 16 for the Martin Luther King holiday, but Fort Pitt, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open.

PHMC will be at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg (starts tomorrow and runs through Jan. 14) with a presence inside the Main Hall and outside in the parking lot. The Bureau for Historic Preservation has developed a Historical Marker Scavenger Hunt (see last week’s post and a photo of staff getting set up here), and the Civil War Road Show will be onsite: Sat., Jan. 7, from 10 am to 6 pm; Sun, Jan. 8, from 11 am to 6 pm; Mon.-Fri., Jan. 9-13, 10 am to 5 pm; and Sat., Jan. 14, 11 am to 5 pm. (Go here for more details.) Admission to the Road Show is free, although the Farm Show charges $10 for parking.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 15: the annual membership meeting of the Lackawanna Audubon Society will take place at the museum.
Jan. 21: Knox Mine Disaster Program—this annual program examines the events of Jan. 22, 1959, when the Susquehanna River broke through the roof of the Knox Mine at Port Griffith, Luzerne County, flooding it with icy water and killing twelve men.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Jan. 28: Annual Historic Weapons Show—held in cooperation with the Old Westmoreland Rifles and the Collectors Show Association.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Jan. 8: Fireside Tales—young children (ages 4-8) and their families are invited to spend a couple of hours in the Wayside Lodge for some good old-fashioned storytelling. There will be a fire and some light refreshments to help warm you, but dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket or two. Suggested donation.
Jan. 15: Hell or High Water Shoot—reenactors from the First Pennsylvania Regiment will hold their annual winter flintlock shoot using reproduction 18th-century guns.

PHMC/Ephrata Cloister

Ephrata Cloister
Jan. 26: Winter History Class—this program, which continues on Thursdays through the end of March, provides an in-depth look at the fascinating history of the site, the people who lived there, and the people who’ve studied them; for more information, call 717/733-6600.

Fort Pitt Museum
Jan. 1-15: the Museum will be closed for exhibit maintenance and upgrades; reopens on Jan. 16.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Jan. 14: “You Enter Germany – Bloody Huertgen and the Siegried Line”—this 2007 German documentary chronicles the longest battle (involving American troops) in history using archival footage and interviews with veterans. Donation requested.
Jan. 28: “When Trumpets Fade”—a 1998 HBO film loosely based on combat action of the 112th Infantry, PA National Guard, along the Siegfried Line. This is a great opportunity to see how well the movie (which is rated R for strong language) adheres to the history. Donation requested.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 15: “The Principles of Peace: Remembering King”—program presented by Nathaniel Gadsden’s Writers Wordshop. Museum admission (and program) free on this day.
Jan. 20: Book signing and 3rd in the Burg—former PA legislator Franklin Kury will be in the State Museum Store to sign copies of “Clean Politics, Clean Streams: A Legislative Autobiography and Reflections.” The program and a reception are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Heritage Society.