On the Trails of History, October 18-31

Today’s post takes you through the end of the month. Look for the November program page later in the month.

Please note that some site schedules change seasonally, mostly affecting which days of the week the site is open. Please be sure to check ahead before visiting.

PA Lumber Museum education coordinator Anna Wales shows children around the lumber camp cook house at the 2018 Haunted Lantern Tours event (see below for this year's info)

 Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 19: Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces—this event explores the cultural roots of Halloween and other autumn festivals. This year's focus is Polish heritage and traditions. Visit the Facebook event page for ticket info and program updates. 6-10 pm at the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Oct. 20: Living History Sunday—enjoy the beautiful Olmsted-designed park, as well as guided historic tours of the site. Noon-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Oct. 26: Something More Saturday—the focus of this month's special activities is "Spooktacular Recycled Crafts." Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Oct. 18-19, 25-26: Haunted Halloween Lantern Tours—tour groups walk through the 19th-century village and encounter ghosts, goblins, and ghoulish fun. Tours last about an hour and are filled on a first come, first served basis. See Facebook event page for more info. Bring your own flashlight or purchase one at the museum store. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Please start at the visitor center: doors open at 6 pm, last tour starts at 9.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Oct. 26: Little Mates Halloween Spooktacular—meet the captain of U.S. Brig Niagara, enjoy lunch, and peek behind the scenes at the museum. Free for members of the Little Mates Kids' Club (it's never too late to join, or you can pay the event fee). Check the Facebook event page for details and updates.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on holiday schedules, events, and programs.

Graeme Park
Oct. 27: Living History Sunday—it's "Dress Like a Pirate Day" as you learn the story of Sir William Keith, colonial governor, and Blackbeard the Pirate. Pirate dress welcome, but not required; there will be a hunt for hidden treasure. Noon-3 pm.

Hope Lodge
Oct. 19: Halloween Lantern Tours—tour the mansion by lantern light and hear local ghost stories. Check the website or Facebook event page for updates on tickets and other details. 6-9 pm.
October 20 & 27: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open from 1 pm to 4 pm, with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Throughout the month of October: Craft Skills Workshops—numerous hands-on workshops for adult are scheduled. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration. Costs and times vary.
Oct. 24 & 31: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Visit the website for details and contact info.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 26: Halloween Activities—from 11 am to 3 pm, children 10 and under are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat among the historic buildings (details and registration info). From 7 to 9 pm, the 21 and older crowd can hear a variety of chilling tales (details and registration info).

Pennsbury Manor
October 20: Sunday programming—Open Hearth Cooking (the cooks will prepare a complete seasonal dinner for William and Hannah Penn). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Oct 27: Tricks and Treats at the Manor—enjoy an afternoon of festive family-friendly Halloween fun mixed with Pennsylvania history. Children can come dressed in their Halloween costumes for some trick-or-treating, games, and 17th-century demonstrations. Pennsbury is partnering again with the Teal Pumpkin Project to bring non-food games and trick-or-treating stations for those with food allergies. A living history theater presentation, "The Trial of Margaret Mattson," will be held during the event. It is 1684, Margaret Mattson has been accused by her neighbors of witchcraft. William Penn will preside over the trial. No admission charged for this event. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct. 26: Haunted Lantern Tours—hear spooky (but not too spooky) tales in the logging camp as you tour by lantern light and trick-or-treat along the way (more info on the Facebook event page). Admission charged. 6-9 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Oct. 31: Tanks and TreatsUPDATE: this outdoor event has been cancelled due to weather—local businesses and community groups will be stationed along the Front Parade Ground walking path to give out treats for local youth. Businesses/groups must pre-register. No charge for youth attendees, and parking is free. 6-8 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 19: Trains and Treats—kids go from train to train to enjoy seasonal activities, tours, and treats. Costumes welcome. Included in regular admission. 9 am-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 19: Historic Halloween—trick-or-treating with a historical theme, following the site’s pathways by lantern light (details on the website). Enjoy popcorn and fresh apple cider! Admission: $3 per child, plus an apple for the cider press. 5-8 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Check the Planetarium webpage for a full schedule of programs.
Oct. 24: Nature Lab—learn about the Carboniferous Period and the formation of Pennsylvania's coal deposits. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.
Oct. 27: Great Pumpkin Day—family-friendly Halloween-themed activities and entertainment (details on the website). Everyone pays the "child" admission rate today - that's $5 (see website for info on $1 discount for pre-registration). Please note that the Planetarium will be closed, and Curiosity Connection will have timed tickets (first come, first served). Noon-3 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park calendar of events for details of this month's events and program.