October Winds Down

Final stretch, people. We are down to the last week of voting in the PA’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts campaign. Due to a surge from the pack, Abraham Lincoln is now in the number 2 spot, with George Rapp in 3rd place. Abe enjoyed a run at the top for a good week, and we can get him back there and push George to 2nd if we all pull together. Thanks to all who have participated in this online effort. We need you to keep at it. Vote, Support, Share. Repeat.

The PHMC is accepting nominations for state historical markers, with a deadline of December 1. Detailed instructions and application form are on the PHMC website.

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park have issued a call for applications from reenactors interested in participating in the annual Christmas crossing event. The registration packet provides details; deadline for receipt of applications is Oct. 28.

EMM Library Museum Pass, photo by Linda Bolla

On Monday, Erie Maritime Museum will launch a new museum pass in conjunction with the Erie County Library System (the museum and main library share a building on the Erie bayfront). Families (or individuals) can check out the pass for a week at any branch library, bookmobile, or independent community partner and use it for free admission to the museum during regular operating hours. The pass and accompanying info piece were designed by EMM’s 2013 summer intern, Matt Bonnanti. (C-Span recently visited Erie and has posted video, including info about the Flagship Niagara.)

Photos of October special events on the Trails of History: Anthracite Heritage Museum's Bonfire at the [Scranton Iron] Furnaces, Harvest Day and Craft Festival at Daniel Boone Homestead, Harvest Days at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, and the M60A3 Tank Tour at the Pennsylvania Military Museum (still photos and video).

Coming up this weekend:

• A Miner’s Tale, 10/26, 2 pm, and Remember Johnny Mitchell Day, 10/27, 2-4 pm, Anthracite Heritage Museum
• Ghost Tours, 10/26, 5-8 pm, Brandywine Battlefield
• Historic Haunted Hayride (reservations required), 10/26, 7-10 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
• Haunted Halloween Tour, 10/26, 6-9 pm (site closes at 3 pm and reopens for the event at 5:30), and Halloween at the Homestead, 10/27, noon-4 pm, Daniel Boone Homestead
• Oil Creek Valley Blacksmiths, last monthly meeting and demo for the season, 10/26, 9 am-2 pm, Drake Well Museum
• Haunted Lantern Tours, 10/25 & 26, 6-9 pm, Eckley Miners’ Village
• Mysterious Stories from Ephrata Cloister (advance tickets recommended), 10/25 & 26, 7 & 8:30 pm
• Haunted Moonlight Tours, 10/25, 7-9:30 pm, Graeme Park
• Family Halloween Program and Living History Theater Witch Trial (event is free, regular admission charged for tours of Manor House), 10/27, noon-1 pm, Pennsbury Manor
• Historical Halloween, 10/26, 5:30-8 pm, Somerset Historical Center