April 1: Museum closed for Easter
UPDATE April 21: Landscape and Environment Month Lecture—Robert Hughes of the Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) will present "The Sustainability Factor of Coalfield Community Groups in both the Anthracite and Bituminous Regions of PA and EPCAMR's Role Throughout NE & NC PA" (more info here). Lecture is free. 2 pm.
UPDATE April 28: Annual Spring Tea—this year's theme is "Tea on the Titanic." In addition to tea, sandwiches, sweets, and good company, the program will present the history of several people from Lackawanna County who were on Titanic's first and only voyage. The program will also explore the more general topic of sea crossings from Europe as an important element in the experience of many immigrants to the anthracite region. Donation is $20 per person. RSVP by April 26, 2018 by calling (570) 963-4804. 1 pm.
Brandywine Battlefield Park
April 1: Site closed for Easter
Bushy Run Battlefield
April 1: Site closed for Easter
Conrad Weiser Homestead
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 8: Spring Lecture—a historical program on Molly Brant (c. 1736-1796), a Mohawk woman, will be presented by Turtle, also known as Debra Swartz, a noted reenactor and speaker on Native American culture. The program will explore Molly Brant's family life and her role in the 18th century (read more on Facebook event page). Program is free, and donations are welcome. 2 pm.
April 22: Living History Sunday—enjoy an afternoon of living history; guided tours offered. Noon-4 pm.
Cornwall Iron Furnace
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 10: Friends Lecture Series—military historian Michael Jesberger will present "British and Hessian Prisoners in Lancaster County, PA." The program uses journals and eyewitness accounts to highlight some of the experiences of British and German prisoners of war during the American Revolution. The program is free; donations welcome. Lectures are held in Freeman Hall auditorium at Cornwall Manor. 7 pm.
Daniel Boone Homestead
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 21: Sheep and Fiber Day—the Homestead sheep will be sheared and artisans will demonstrate various steps of the textile production process (more info on Facebook event page). Vendors will be on hand with items made from alpaca and sheep's wool. Food will be available for purchase throughout the day. Cost is $7 for ages 16 and up, $4 for ages 5-15, free for Friends members and children age 4 and under. 10 am-4 pm.
Drake Well Museum and Park
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 28: Something More Saturday—it's Engine Start Up Day, as the Olin engine that runs the Central Powers exhibit gets restarted for the 2018 visitation season. Blacksmith demonstrations will also be on the schedule. Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.
Eckley Miners' Village
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 19: The Molly Maguires: 50th Anniversary and Benefit—2018 is the 50th anniversary of the filming of The Molly Maguires at Eckley and in Jim Thorpe. To mark the occasion and raise funds to support the continued interpretation of Eckley Miners' Village, a special film screening and reception will be held at the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe. Light refreshments, cash bar, and other fun will start at 6 pm and the film will be shown at 7:30 (more info on the website or on the Facebook event page). $50 includes the benefit party and premium seating; if you want to skip the party but see the film, you can do so for $20. Tickets available at Eckley or the Mauch Chunk Opera House box office.
Ephrata Cloister
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 22: Ephrata Cloister Chorus Spring Concert—the concert will be held at Church of the Apostles United Church of Christ in Lancaster (more info on the website). Included on the program is a composition from the 1740s, newly transcribed from a copy found in the Ephrata Cloister archives. 4 pm.
Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
April 1: Museum closed for Easter
UPDATE April 14: National Water Dance Ripple Effect—the event begins at Dobbins Landing, then dancers and friends from Mercyhurst University will lead the audience on a performance path to the Erie Maritime Museum, which will host research presentations, poetry, music, dance, children's crafts, and refreshments (more info). Admission is free. Begins at 4 pm at Dobbins Landing.
Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the website for information on hours and programs.
Graeme Park
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 19: Happy Hour with the Historian—enjoy refreshments on the grounds of Graeme Park (depending on weather, event may be held indoors) and a 30-40 minute talk on a topic of historical interest (more info on the website). $5 cover charge (free for members), cash bar and food. Doors open at 6 pm, lecture starts at 7.
April 25: Lunch and Learn—"The Walking Purchase" is the topic, and the speaker is Doug Miller, site administrator at Pennsbury Manor. Registration fee ($25, $20 for members) includes the program, continental breakfast, and hot lunch. Tours of the Keith House will be offered after lunch. Pre-registration is required (Details on program and link to registration form). 10:15 am-1:30 pm.
Hope Lodge
April 1: Site closed for Easter
Sundays in April (except April 1): Site open—guided tours are at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged. 1-4 pm.
Joseph Priestley House
April 1: Site closed for Easter
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 7: Victorian Tea and Tour—enjoy a guided walk through the village and a three-course tea at the Landis Valley House Hotel. Reservation deadline is March 30, so call Jamie @ 717/581-0590 before it's too late. $35 per person. 10 am-1:30 pm.
April 14, 21, 28: Winter Learning for Adults—yes, it's spring now, but the learning series continues. April 14 is "Needle Felting a Rabbit," April 21 is "Sgraffito on a Redware Plate," April 28 is "Needle Felting a Bluebird" and "Beginning Chair Caning." Times and fees vary. Check the brochure for details and registration info.
April 21: Spring Benefit Auction—silent and live auctions, plus yummy food (see website for more details). Preview and silent auction begin at 4 pm, live auction begins at 6.
Old Economy Village
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 4: Village reopens for the season—regular hours resume through the end of December.
UPDATE April 7: Opening Celebration—welcome the spring visitation season and enter to win great prizes (more on Facebook event page). 10 am-5 pm.
UPDATE April 14, 21, 28: Saturday Craft Programs—a variety of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on learning will be presented. Costs and details vary, so check the website for more information.
April 18: Spring Garden Workshop—mark your calendars and then keep an eye on the website for updates on this popular annual event. UPDATE: or check out the Facebook event page.
Pennsbury Manor
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 8: In Sickness and in Health—follow along with Hannah Penn and learn what she knows about taking care of her family's health. Program takes place at 1 pm and 3 pm; regular manor house tours are scheduled for 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30. Included in regular admission. Site is open noon-5 pm.
Sundays in April— April 15, historic trades and open hearth cooking; April 22, beer brewing and garden highlights; April 29, meet the animals. Included in regular admission. Programming runs 1-4 pm, site open noon-5 pm.
UPDATE 4/2/18: All April 20 sessions are sold out. Tickets go on sale May 1 for Escape Rooms on June 29.
April 22: Bitters, Blubs and Brewing—enjoy a private tour of the kitchen garden, focused on the medicinal role of plants in the 17th and 18th centuries. Then a mixologist will teach you how to make your own bitters to take home. Must be at least 21 to participate. Cost is $20, which includes all materials and grounds admission (info on registering).
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
April 1: Site closed for Easter
April 15: 3rd Sunday Series—two programs this month: "Trout Grow on Trees," with staff from the Potter County Conservation District discussing the impact of forest health on trout streams, and "International Dark Skies Week," with PA DCNR staff talking about Cherry Springs State Park and its remarkable dark skies educational programs (more info on both). Included in museum admission (free for members). Trout program starts at 1 pm, dark skies at around 3.
April 21-22: Spring Antique and Collectible Show and Sawmill Run—vendors from all over the U.S. will be selling a variety of wares. The museum's sawmill will be in operation on Saturday, and the birch still will be demonstrated both days. Admission charged, includes access to museum exhibits. Food and drink will be available for purchase. 10 am-4 pm both days.
UPDATE April 29: Forest Habitat Tour—Susquehannock State Forest will hold its annual forest management and habitat tour, focused on the Denton Hill and Lyman Run areas of the forest district. The tour starts at the PA Lumber Museum and museum staff will help lead the tour. Transportation and lunch will be provided; register by sending an email to fd15@pa.gov or by calling the district office at 814-274-3600.
Pennsylvania Military Museum
April 1: Museum closed for Easter
April 3: Central PA Civil War Round Table—Don Ernsberger will present "Pettigrew/Trimble Charge at Gettysburg," which explores lesser known Confederate attacks on the center of the Union line during the July 1863 battle. 7 pm.
April 7: Kids Day I: Dress Up and Discover!!—kids of all ages can try on field gear and head gear from the museum education collection and explore education stations throughout the galleries. Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.
April 8: Friends Lecture Series—Brigadier General (retired) Jerry G. Beck, Jr. will present "History of Ben Franklin's Associators," exploring the origins of Pennsylvania National Guard. 2-3 pm.
April 14-15: The Great War Remembered—2018 marks the 100th anniversary of American combat troops fighting in France and the end of World War I. Today's program includes lectures, films, and a living history reenactment on the grounds (check the website for details and updates). 10 am-4 pm each day.
April 25: American Revolution Round Table of Central PA—author and archaeologist Dean Snow will present "1777 - Tipping Point at Saratoga," examining how veterans of the Battle of Saratoga described their experiences, how historians have written about the event and its aftermath, and how he approached the story as an archaeologist. 6:30-7:30 pm.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
April 1: Museum closed for Easter—resuming April 2 through Oct. 31, open 7 days a week
April 7: Rails & Ales—this event brings together brewers and food vendors to support the museum's programs. Tickets are available online (VIP tickets are sold out). Must be at least 21 to attend; designated driver tickets are available. 7:30-10 pm.
April 26: Wine & Paint Night—enjoy an evening in the museum while an instructor from Zole Art Factory helps you paint a scene of Amish boys watching a train. BYO alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage; the museum will provide plastic glasses, light snacks, and art supplies. Must be at least 21 to attend. Space is limited to 20; tickets available online. 6:30-8:30 pm.
Somerset Historical Center
April 1: Museum closed for Easter
April 21: Common Threads Symposium—this program is offered in conjunction with Laurel Arts and features Sally C. Fink, fabric artist and author, and Mike Taylor, spinning wheel collector and author. Fiber artists will display and/or sell their work throughout the visitor center exhibit. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door (more info on the Facebook event page). (In conjunction with the symposium, there will be a quilt sale/fundraiser to generate funds for quilters and the Somerset Historical Center; contact c-Kross@pa.gov for details and to register.) 9 am-4 pm.
April 27-29: Coopering Workshop—learn the traditional skills of the cooper, using hand-tools to make your own maple sugar keeler (bucket). Workshop teachers include people who have been coopering for many years and learned from the best. Limited to 12 participants. Cost is $165, $150 for members. See Facebook event page for more info on how to register.
April 28: Needle Tatting Workshop—learn the basics of the tatting stitch and make a piece of edging. Class is taught by Carolyn Groves, a Mountain Craft Days artisan. Cost is $45, $40 for members (more info and a photo on Facebook event page.) 10 am-3 pm.
State Museum of Pennsylvania
April 1: Museum closed for Easter
Planetarium Schedule—visit the website for a complete schedule of planetarium shows. UPDATE: the planetarium will be closed April 14 and 15.
April 6: StoryTime—this month's story is When Spring Comes, by Kevin Henkes. The program, geared to children age 3-5 with an adult, will take place in Curiosity Connection and includes a project to make an ornament from natural materials to help the birds make their nests. Included in general admission. 10-11 am.
April 13, 20, 27: Learn at Lunchtime—explore the exhibit, T.M. Fowler's Bird's Eye Views of Pennsylvania, from a variety of perspectives: historic preservation (4/13); industrial infrastructure (4/20); and railroad towns and networks (4/27). Included in general admission. 12:15-12:45 pm.
April 17: Documentary and Discussion—join producer/filmmaker Tracy Heather Strain and WITF's Scott LaMar as they present and discuss excerpts of Strain's documentary, Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes, Feeling Heart, which kicked off the 2018 season of the PBS series, American Masters. The program is free, but space is limited and reservations are required. Visit witf.org/events or call 717/783-5736. 6 pm.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the website for information on hours and programs.
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