6 Reasons (and more) to like January on the Trails of History

Ready or not, here comes 2014. Winters are quieter on the Trails of History, with fewer special events, but there’s still plenty to see and do. A few sites are closed (although many of them can make arrangements for visits for those who call ahead) and others are on reduced schedules. It’s a good idea to check ahead to avoid disappointment.

Fort Pitt Museum and The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open on January 20, but all others will be closed that day for the Martin Luther King holiday. (Update 1/7/14: Fort Pitt will be closed Jan. 10-31 for exhibit updates, reopening on February 1.)

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Two events that are part of northeastern PA's Mining History Week:
Jan. 12: A Miner’s Tale—learn about the life of an anthracite miner through spoken word and dramatic presentation, written and performed by Robert Hughes. Admission charged. 2 pm.
Jan. 18: Knox Mine Disaster—this program looks at the events of Jan. 22, 1959, when the Susquehanna River flooded the mine at Port Griffith (Luzerne County) and explores the effects on the local community. Admission is free. Snow date is Jan. 25. 2 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Jan. 30: Winter History Class—first of nine weekly sessions exploring a variety of topics related to the Historic Ephrata Cloister and the world in which it existed. Classes continue each Thursday through March and conclude with a field trip in early April. Cost is $50 ($40 for members of Ephrata Cloister Associates) with an additional fee for the field trip; or you can pick individual sessions at $8 each. Call 717/733-6600 for details or to register. 9 am-noon.

Reproduction glassware in Joseph Priestley House laboratory

Joseph Priestley House
Jan. 5: Twelfth Day—glimpse the Priestley family’s life in Northumberland with a taste of the English customs they remembered. The house will be decorated as an English country manor, costumed docents will be on hand, and there will be chemistry demonstrations and children’s games. Admission charged. 1-4 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 17: 3rd in the Burg—there will be an opening reception for the Susquehanna Art Museum’s Doshi Gallery exhibit, “Lost World/Found World.” Free admission (during the rest of its run the exhibit is included in regular admission). 6-8 pm.
Jan. 19: Last day to see “A Twentieth-Century Christmas Tradition,” exhibit of the Gruff Family Christmas Display from the museum’s permanent collection and model trains from private collections. Included in regular admission.