July's Packed

So much to do in July. Most Trails of History sites are open on July 4, but not all of them. As we like to say, please check ahead to make sure that the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there.

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
July 9-Aug. 19: “Ice Age Mammals”—Anthracite Heritage Museum exhibit of wood carvings by artist Gene Moyer.
July 14-Oct. 27: South Side Farmers’ Market—Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scranton Iron Furnaces, offered in partnership with the Elm Street Revitalization Project.
July 17-20: Exploring Pennsylvania: The Keystone State—Anthracite Heritage Museum summer day camp for kids ages 7-12. Fee charged and registration is required; call the museum at 570/963-4804 for details.

Brandywine Battlefield
July 22: Historic Scavenger Hunt—children ages 9 to 14 (and their accompanying adults) learn about local history by exploring artifacts and historic places; part of a series sponsored by the Phyllis Recca Foundation, this program benefits Brandywine Battlefield. Go here for details.

Bushy Run Battlefield
July 8: Annual 5K Trail Run/Walk—Bushy Run is the site for this annual event benefitting the Penn-Trafford Area Recreation Commission (PTARC); go here for info.
July 22: 2nd Annual Classic Car Cruise—included in regular museum admission; proceeds benefit the Save Bushy Run Endowment.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
July 1: “A Patriotic Celebration”—this annual event honoring all military veterans features a concert by the Ringgold Band (formed in 1852, one of the oldest community bands in the U.S.). Admission and parking are free, contributions are gratefully accepted. Womelsdorf Fire Company will have food for sale starting at noon and the concert starts at 1:30; please bring your own chairs or picnic blankets.
July 8: Weiser Interpretive Sunday—enjoy a summer afternoon at the homestead learning about life in the Tulpehocken.

Daniel Boone Homestead
July 4: Independence Day Program and 1st Pennsylvania Regiment Flintlock Shoot—learn about the different kinds of military troops that fought the American Revolution, drill with the local militia, tour the Boone house, watch blacksmith demonstrations, and more. Light refreshments will be available, but you can also bring a picnic. Admission is $4 for ages 4-12, $6 for anyone 13 and older.
July 8, 15, 22, 29: Interpretive Sundays—spend summer Sunday afternoons learning about 18th-century crafts, trades, and activities. Included in regular admission.
July 17-19: History Day Camp—participants will learn about the kinds of things Daniel Boone did as a child growing up in the Oley Valley. Camp is designed for kids entering grades 3-6; space is limited and pre-registration is required.
July 25: Junior History Workshop—Camp Cooking is the focus as kids entering grades 3-6 learn how Daniel Boone would have cooked in the wilderness; space is limited and pre-registration is required. You can download a registration brochure for History Day Camp and Junior History Workshop here.

Drake Well Museum
July 7: Tours at Historic Pithole City-Guides will be available from 10 a.m to 3 p.m., and the museum will be open. This is a rare opportunity. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for youths 3-11.
July 28: Blacksmith Demonstrations—monthly demonstrations take place the last Saturday of the month through October. Included in regular admission.

Eckley Miners’ Village
July 14-15: Armed Forces Tribute Weekend—celebrate veterans from the Civil War to the present day with local fraternal organizations, active duty service men and women, and living history reenactors. A swing-era USO Dance will be held off-site the evening of July 13. For more information, go here.

Fort Pitt Museum
July 14: Revolution at the Fort—explore Pittsburgh’s role in the American Revolution as you raise a liberty pole in Point State Park, drill with the local militia, and help design a historic flag.

Graeme Park
July 21: 16th Annual Celtic Heritage Festival—music, food, vendors, bagpipes and more to celebrate the Keith, Graeme, and Fergusson heritage of the site. For photos of previous festivals and updates on the entertainment schedule, go here.

Joseph Priestley House
July 25-27: History Camp—designed for elementary age students, this program takes place in the morning; check the website for registration info.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
July 10-13: Summer Sampler Camp—geared for ages 5 to 11, this camp will explore various holidays through crafts, games, and food. Go here for details.
July 17-20: Historic Trades Summer Camp—this week is geared for kids 11 and older and will focus on woodworking skills. Details are here.
July 21-22: Lancaster Long Rifle: Lock, Stock, and Barrel—panel discussions, seminars, and more related to Landis Valley’s current exhibit (on view through December). Info is here if you’re interested in attending.
July 28-29: Civil War Days—the site is transformed into a rural Pennsylvania village in 1863, with reenactors portraying soldiers and civilians.

Old Economy Village
July 7: Antique Car Show—pre-war antique cars will be on display around the village, along with food, games, entertainment, and artisans. Free admission. You can register your car by calling 724/266-4500 x 114.
July 21: Living History Day—reenactors and historical interpreters will help bring the village to life. Included in regular museum admission; start at the Visitor Center to purchase tickets.

Peace Church
July 29: Rediscovering Peace Church—program starts at 3 p.m.

Pennsbury Manor
July 1: Historic Trades—the blacksmith and the joyner will be demonstrating their skills with iron and wood.
July 8: Living History Theater—“The Request” explores slavery in 17th-century Pennsylvania through the story of Jack and Parthenia.
July 9-13 and 16-20: Colonial Camp—each week-long camp provides hands-on learning as students explore life in the 17th century. Camp is open to children who have completed 1st through 6th grade.
July 15: Open Hearth Cooking—although winter seems a long way away, the cooks will be starting to preserve some of the summer bounty for use during the cold weather that will surely come.
July 22: Garden Highlights—spend some time in the kitchen garden and see what the gardeners are up to (they’ll even let you help).
July 29: Animals at Pennsbury—meet the various animal residents of Pennsbury and learn about their ancestors.

Pennsylvania Civil War 150 Road Show
June 30-July 8: Kutztown, Berks County—hosted by Kutztown Folk Fest and Historical Society of Berks County
July 12-15: State College, Centre County—hosted by Centre County Historical Society
July 20-22: Harrisburg, Dauphin County—hosted by State Museum of PA at the Capitol Complex
July 30-Aug. 4: Pottsville, Schuylkill County—hosted by Schuylkill County Historical Society at the Schuylkill County Fair

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
July 7-8: 38th Annual Bark Peelers’ Convention—this hugely popular event recreates the 4th of July celebrations of Pennsylvania’s early 20th-century lumber camp workers and “woodhicks.” For more info and event schedule, go here. For photos from previous years, go here.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Sundays in July: “Gone West: A History Tour of the 28th Division Shrine”—museum staff will conduct walking tours of the 28th Division Shrine at 5:15 on Sunday evenings (through August 19). Explore the evolution of the site from training ground to officers club to memorial, and view vintage film footage in the museum auditorium immediately following the tour. Donation requested. (Go here for a news article about the tour.)
July 6: Registration deadline for Boot Camp for Kids—camp takes place August 4 and is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 13; go here for details and registration info.
July 10: “Creating Victory at Forts Henry and Donelson: General Grant, Flag Officer Foote, and the Western River Navy”—Bruce Apgar, Cmdr, USNavy, will explore Civil War events on the western front in February 1862; presented by the Central Pennsylvania Civil War Roundtable.
July 12-15: 20th Annual People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts—celebration of arts and artisans held on the museum grounds (go here for details); parking fee charged.
July 21-22: “VIETNAM Revisited”—living historians portray American combat and support troops “in country” in the late 1960s; visitors have the opportunity to accompany squads on short range patrols (closed shoes and long pants recommended if you plan to participate in these demos).
July 28: Annual State College Last Cruise—antique, classic and hot rod car show on the museum grounds benefits Centre County Youth Service Bureau; go here for details. Parking fee charged.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
July 3-8: Reading Railroad Days—offered in conjunction with the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society, this program features an enormous HO-scale model railroad and highlights Reading Company rolling stock in the Museum’s collection. Included in regular museum admission, go here for more info.
July 14: Three Authors and an Artist—a Civil War-themed event featuring authors Herbert H. Harwood, Jr. (The Railroad that Never Was), Diana Harris (Reflections of a Civil War Locomotive Engineer), and Scott Mingus, Sr. (Flames Beyond Gettysburg). Artist Bradley Schmehl will sign reproductions of his painting, Columbia Bridge Burning. You can view the museum’s exhibit on railroads in the Civil War while you’re there. Included in regular museum admission; details and schedule here.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Fridays in July: Learn at Lunchtime—admission is free every Friday between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; free docent tours at 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. (continues through Aug. 31).
July 15: last day for exhibit, “Art is an Entrée, Not a Dessert.”
July 18, 19, 20: Fossil Day Camps—a one-day camp for kids ages 9-12 is offered on three consecutive mornings; reservations can be made by calling 717/771-6997.
July 25, 26, 27: Archeology/Native American Camps—another one-day camp offered three times, this one for kids 7 to 10 years old; call 717/771-6997 for reservations.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
NOW: Casting Call for the next Commander in Chief for the Christmas Crossing--the Friends of Washington Crossing Park have begun the search for the next person to portray Gen. George Washington for park events. If you think you have what it takes, email info@washingtoncrossingpark.org for details and an application.
July 4: Celebrating American Independence—Glover’s 14th Continental Regiment will be on hand to provide a window into the past; there will also be readings of the Declaration of Independence several times throughout the day on the steps of McKonkey’s Ferry Inn. Admission is $8.