February on the Trails of History

It’s still so cold. How cold is it, you ask? It’s so cold, we couldn’t wait until February to list all the events going on in February. Or to remind you that winter schedules are still in effect, including the occasional weather-induced closing, so please be sure to check ahead before stopping by our sites and museums. Fort Pitt Museum and the Railroad Museum of PA will be open on Feb. 17 for Presidents Day; the other Trails of History sites will be closed.

But first, because I just can’t seem to help myself, another cold weather photo from the Trails of History:


Winter scene, Pennsylvania Military Museum via Facebook
 

And if that isn’t enough, this video from the Friends of Washington Crossing Facebook page…

Post by Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Feb. 9: Mrs. Jefferson – a Presidents Day Program—Costumed interpreter Gina Marie Aleo will present a program about Thomas Jefferson in honor of Presidents Day. Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2 pm.
Feb. 23: Railroad Movie Day—The museum will show the film The Hard Coal Roads – What Went Wrong, a look at anthracite railroads of the region. Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Feb. 16: Fireside Tales—children ages 4-8 and their families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of storytelling and learn about Native American life in the colonial period. Dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket if it’s really chilly. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. $2 donation is suggested; regular admission is charged for touring the Boone Homestead and the historic area. 2 pm.
Feb. 23: Black History Lecture—Dr. Teresa Gilliams, Associate Professor of English at Albright College, will explore the social construct of race and how it has shaped the celebration of Black History Month. $2 donation suggested; regular admission charged for touring the historic buildings. 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Feb. 8: Pithole Sledding Party—Enjoy an old-fashioned sledding party at historic Pithole complete with hot chocolate and cookies. 11 am- 2 pm. RSVP DEADLINE IS TODAY, JAN. 31!
JUST ADDED TO T'HEADS: Feb. 15: Family Day—Enjoy indoor activities for all ages, including an oil-themed art activity with the Titusville Arts Council and a scavenger hunt. More info is on Drake Well's Facebook page.

Ephrata Cloister
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27: Winter History Class—each Thursday participants in the Winter History Class learn about the history of the celibate brothers and sisters, the world they lived in, and the work of preserving the collections and buildings. Check out the class schedule for details.
Feb. 8: Making History Workshop, Fraktur—learn about this unique form of writing and make your own letterform. Appropriate for older kids, teens, and adults. Fee is $15 ($10 for Ephrata Cloister Associates members). 10 am-noon.
Feb. 12: Story Time—designed for pre-K students, this program will pair a story with age-appropriate hands on activities to help young learners and their adults explore the historic site. Cost is $6 for one adult and accompanying child (age 3-5), $3 for each additional child; program is free with Ephrata Cloister Associates Family Membership. 10-11 am.
Feb. 22: Making History Workshop, Colonial Medicine—explore 18th-century ideas about health and make a sample of spring tonic. Appropriate for older kids, teens, and adults. Fee is $15 ($10 for Ephrata Cloister Associates members). 10 am-noon.

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Feb. 21: Wintertime at the Maritime—Celebrate winter at an outdoor (say what?!?) party in the 2014 (so far) snow capital of the US. Seriously, looks like fun, with fire pits, heated tents, and warm adult beverages. It’s also a fundraiser and part of your ticket price is deductible (depending on your tax situation—consult your tax adviser or take her/him to the party!). Must be 21 or older to attend. Advance tickets ($60 per person, $100 per couple) can be purchased online; tickets at the door are $65 per person. 6-9 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Craft and Trade Classes/Folk Art & Friendship (class size is limited for most of these; see brochure for details)

• Feb. 1: Apron & Collection Care Workshop; Tin Time; Early American Toys; Basic Blacksmithing
• Feb. 8: Broom Making; Beginning Genealogy; “Heart in Hand” Ditty Bag; Simple Food, Simply Delicious (intro to open hearth cooking)
• Feb. 15: German Paper Stars

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Homeschool Classes—Activities and age ranges vary; check the website for details.
UPDATE 2/10/14: The dinner was postponed to Feb. 15 and tickets are available as of 2/10; call 717/581-0591 for detailsFeb. 8: Victorian Valentine Dinner—a lovely evening with chocolate and champagne in the Visitor Center, a horse-drawn wagon ride, and dinner in the historic Landis Valley House Hotel (complete with strolling violinist). Pre-paid reservations required. Cost is $140 per couple; bring a sweetie or bring a friend. Menu and complete details are on the website.
Feb. 16: “I Thee Wed” exhibit of wedding attire from 1830 to 1930 closes.
Feb. 22: Heirloom Seed Project workshops—Offered in partnership with Backyard Fruit Growers, sessions cover a variety of topics. Visit website for class descriptions and registration info.

Old Economy Village
Feb. 12: Behind the Scenes Tours—a chance to see in person what’s happening with the restoration of the Rapp Houses (sneak previews are posted on OEV’s blog) plus 19th-century clocks in collections storage. The evening also includes a wine and cheese reception. Reservations are required; cost is $25 ($20 for Friends of OEV). The website has more info. 6-9 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
UPDATE 2/5/14: UNFORTUNATELY, THE WEATHER HAS FORCED THE CANCELLATION OF THIS EVENING'S TALK Feb. 5: Friends of PMM Richard Koontz Memorial Lecture Series—SGT MAJ Joseph Keirn, 99th Regional Readiness Command (Ret.), will present a talk entitled “The Battle of the Bulge M.I.A. Diggers,” about an international team of private citizens working to recover the remains of infantrymen listed as missing in action since 1944. 7:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Feb. 8: Community Free Day and African American Read-In—the Read-In will feature local African American authors and illustrators providing examples of their work. All children attending the event will receive a free book. Museum admission is free on this day. 9 am-5 pm.
Feb. 14: Learn at Lunchtime—the Giant Traveling Map of Pennsylvania will be on display in Memorial Hall for visitors to explore and learn about the state’s geography. Admission is free between 11 am and 1:30 pm.
Feb. 16 & 23: Exhibitions on Screen—presented by Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM), this three-part film series (3rd installment on March 2) explores exhibitions of the works of Manet, Munch, and Vermeer. State Museum and SAM members receive discounts on tickets; single show and series tickets available. Details are available here.
Feb. 21: 3rd in the Burg—open galleries and special presentations by museum staff and volunteers are on the agenda for this monthly event. Museum admission is free from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Feb. 28: Curiosity Connection StoryTime reading series—Featured book is Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats. The reading series continues March 7, 14, and 19. Included in museum admission. 10-11 am.

JUST ADDED TO TRAILHEADS, 2/10/14 Washington Crossing Historic Park
Feb. 22: George Washington's Birthday—Celebrate GW's birthday with blacksmithing and cooking demos, a book signing, birthday cards, and cake. Admission is $1. 10 am-2 pm (Genl. Washington arrives around 1 pm to receive birthday greetings and serve the cake.)