Veterans Day 2018

Schedules for November 11, Veterans Day, are listed below. For info on other events, please see the November program page or last week's post, which listed Trails of History events for Nov. 2-15.

Through December 31, the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation (PHF) and The State Museum of Pennsylvania are excited to offer a "Buy One Get One Free" membership offer. Renew, rejoin, or join, and you can gift a free membership of equal or lesser value to a friend, family member, or co-worker. Memberships included in this offer are Heritage, Individual, and Family (visit PHF website for details or to purchase online). All categories of membership include free regular admission to sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History. (Please note, the gift membership must be for individuals or families who have never held a membership with PHF or The State Museum previously.)

Post updated 11/9/2018, 8:40 am and 1:00 pm.

Handwritten on back of photo: "Yellow Smoke Chenille Rocket - official signal for ending war for 28th Division - 11 am 11/11/18. Gen. Hay touched off rocket. Sweeney, Hagerling [?] & Dawson [?] in background." (PA State Archives, MG-156 Edward Martin Papers (Box 1, Vol 1, Folder 1)

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of fighting in World War I. The armistice that went into effect at 11 am on Nov. 11, 1918, is celebrated as the end of the war, with Armistice Day becoming a national holiday in many countries in 1919. In the U.S., Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954, a day to honor all veterans of military service. Because of this year's centennial, many Veterans Day activities will be focused on the armistice and the World War I era (see below for Trails of History activities). The United States World War One Centennial Commission is encouraging individuals and organizations across the country to participate in the Bells of Peace initiative, tolling bells at 11 am local time on Sunday, Nov. 11. They've even developed a smartphone app that people can use to participate virtually (more info on the centennial commission website).

A couple of recent posts related to the Trails of History seem relevant here.

A recent article from the U.S. Army War College highlights Gen. Edward Sigerfoos of the 28th Division during World War I; a memorial to Sigerfoos can be found on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. The Pennsylvania Military Museum has added some new items to its exhibit galleries temporarily:


And the Somerset Historical Center received a donation of a county resident's World War I Purple Heart:

Veterans Day, November 11

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Site open noon-4 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Site open noon-4 pm, with an Armistice Service at 2 pm (see Facebook event page for details).

Daniel Boone Homestead
Site open noon-4 pm; Paul Trainor will present "Soldiers in the French and Indian War" at 2 pm. Suggested donation of $2 per person for talk. Regular admission applies to visit the historic area.

Ephrata Cloister
Site open noon-5 pm. (Ephrata Cloister will be closed on Monday, Nov. 12.)

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
UPDATE: The museum is closed, but some staff and volunteers will be participating in DCNR's Veterans Appreciation Day at the U.S. Coast Guard station on Presque Isle State Park. At 11 am, they will participate in the Bells of Peace initiative using a small bell from the USS Wolverine (see info here).

Graeme Park
Site open noon-4 pm.

Joseph Priestley House
Site open 1-4 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Site open noon-5 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Museum open noon-5 pm. Admission is free for veterans and their families. At 2 pm, as part of the Friends' Lecture Series, Robert Franks will present "Welcome Home, Bro," based on his experiences as an Airborne Infantry Platoon Leader with the First Cavalry Division, serving in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967 (details on the website).

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Museum open noon-5 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
At 11 am, the museum's Liberty Bell replica (outdoors on the North St. side) will be rung as part of the Bells of Peace initiative. At noon, the museum will open a new exhibit, Dressed for Service: Pennsylvanians in the Great War, featuring uniforms from World War I.