The End of Summer?

Please see last week's post for events and programs coming up between now and the end of the month. I've highlighted some of this weekend's events below.

See program listings below for more info

As I was paring the list of events to include below, I was struck that several of them included the end of special hours or tours that were in place for the summer. I guess I haven't been paying attention, but in lots of ways, the end of August signals the transition to fall. Even when you don't have kids in school, there is a distinct change felt around this time of year (and not just because the school buses return to interfere with my morning commute, dadgummit). But anyway, here are some items that I think may be of interest.

During the course of the spring and summer, the majority of sites on the PHMC's PA Trails of History signed up to be part of the "Museums for All" program, an initiative of the Association of Children's Museums and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Participating museums nationwide offer discounted general admission to people who present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card along with ID. PHMC (see list of participating sites) set "Museums for All" admission at $2 per person. In the period from April through June, 126 people received discounted admission at 11 sites.

An article in the Scranton Times-Tribune included mention of Sarah Sporko, who is entering her senior year at Misericordia University. As a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program participant, Sarah spent the summer at the Anthracite Heritage Museum working with staff to prepare for an upcoming photography exhibit. She was supervised by Jennifer Black, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at Misericordia, and Bode Morin, Ph.D., site administrator at Anthracite Heritage. The photography exhibit is set to open in November (we'll keep you posted).

I mentioned in a previous post (I think) that 2018 is the 300th anniversary of Pennsylvania founder William Penn's death. To commemorate the event, Pennsbury Manor has been focusing on Penn's legacy with various programs, including an upcoming panel discussion and luncheon with Pennsylvania's current governor and several past governors. But Penn and Pennsbury have inspired others, as well. A recent Facebook post alerted me to The William Penn Story, a new musical production by Philadelphia's Brotherly Love Theatre Company (BLTC). BLTC describes the production as "an amalgamation of jazz, funk, hip-hop, rock, and 17th-century Quaker ideology...inspired by productions like 1776, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Hamilton: An American Musical...." The musical will be staged at Lemon Hill Mansion in Fairmount Park on Sept. 9, 13, 16, and 19 as part of the 2018 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

The Brew House at Pennsbury Manor (via Facebook)

This weekend...

Bushy Run Battlefield
Aug. 25: Bushy Run Market—it's the 4th Saturday of the month, so that means a variety of vendors will be on site for your shopping enjoyment (more info on the website). Free for visitors and vendors. 8 am-noon.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Aug. 25: Lecture/demonstration—Revolutionary War interpreter Paul Trainor will present "18th-Century Medical Practices," which includes a display of period medical instruments. Included in regular admission. 2-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Aug. 25: Drake Day Circus—experience a traveling circus as it might have been during the height of the Pennsylvania oil boom (more info on Facebook event page). Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Aug. 26: Historic Pithole Open—the visitor center will be open for the final time this season, so enjoy the orientation film and the excellent diorama that shows the town in its heyday. PLEASE NOTE that Pithole will be closed on Aug. 25 so that staff/volunteers can be at the Drake Day Circus. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Aug. 25: Back to School at Eckley—explore the village, visit the buildings, and take part in hands-on activities and a scavenger hunt as you go. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Hope Lodge
Aug. 26: Site open—enjoy the grounds and take a guided tour of the mansion. Admission charged. 12:30-4 pm (tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm).

Pennsbury Manor
Aug. 26: Special programming—this week, Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Aug. 25-26: Saturday and Sunday, the 1 pm guided tour is included in museum admission.

Somerset Historical Center
Aug. 25: History on a Hayride—hear local tales and explore the historical center grounds from your seat in a hay wagon. Two rides each day. Cost is $10 per person, $8 for members. 10 am-2 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Aug. 24: Summer Friday (last of the season)—general admission is "pay as you wish" today, 9 am to 5 pm. Curiosity Connection will have free timed tickets available. Art docents will be on hand in the "Art of the State" exhibit from 11 am to 1 pm. Regular fees apply for planetarium shows. From 12:15 to 12:45 pm, curator Janet Johnson will present a program on the archaeological excavations at Fort Hunter.