June 2018 on the Pennsylvania Trails of History

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
The Arts on Fire Festival that normally takes place at Scranton Iron Furnaces in early June is on hiatus this year, as Scranton will be playing host to the International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art, May 28-June 2 (complete schedule of events on ICCIA website).
June 14: Lecture—as part of the "Celebrating Our Anthracite Legacy" series, Steve Lichak will present “WYSO - An American Visionary Artist: Frank 'WYSO®' Wysochansky -1915-1994.” More info on the Facebook event page. 7-8:30 pm.

Brandywine Battlefield
June 16: Colonial Dancing—learn a few secrets of 18th-century dance masters and experience a small taste of colonial life. This is a free event and will also be offered on July 21, August 18, and Sept. 22. 11 am-3 pm.
June 25-August 10: Summer History Camp—weekly day camp experiences are offered throughout the summer. Grade levels vary by week. Check the website for details and registration info.

Bushy Run Battlefield
June 9: General Meeting and Lecture—Scott Perry will present "A Tale of Two Uprisings," which explores events that took place in Bengal and North America, both on frontiers of the British empire. Cost is $5 (free for members). 1 pm.
UPDATE June 16-17: Living History Weekend—Bushy Run is expanding its living history offerings, starting this weekend (read more in this TribLive article). Presentations at noon, 1:30 and 3 pm each day.
June 20: History Speaks Series—this month's speaker will be Jessica Young, with a program titled "Eighteenth-Century Clothing." $8 in advance, $10 at the door (members receive 10% discount). More information is on the website. 7 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
June 2: Forest Diplomacy - Edge of the Woods Ceremony—in Conrad Weiser's time as a colonial diplomat, large treaty conferences were preceded by a preliminary meeting, in keeping with Native American customs. The event is free and will take place rain or shine. Site will be open 10 am-4 pm, with Edge of the Woods ceremonies at 1 and 3 pm.
June 3: Colonial Craft and Demonstration Day—craft demonstrators will share the historical context, materials, and equipment of a variety of mid- to late-18th-century trades. Some demonstrators will also have items for sale. 11 am-4 pm.
June 6: Summer Hours Begin—during the summer, the site is open Wednesdays 10 am-4 pm, Saturdays 10 am-4 pm, and Sundays noon-4 pm. Guided tours will be available most days.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
June 12: Annual Dinner and Lecture—Dinner and program will be held at The Timbers in Mt. Gretna. Jim Dibert will present "Apple 'Whiskey' Production on the Schaeffer Farm, 1763 - 1807." Tickets are $35 per person (more info, including how to make reservations, on website).
UPDATE June 24: Band Concert and Reception—enjoy an outdoor concert by the Keystone Band of Rehrersburg and see the new display of the Cornwall Mines mineral collection. Regular admission applies for tours of the furnace. Please bring your own lawn chairs for the concert. Light refreshments will be served (more info on the Facebook event page). 2-4 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
June 16: Evening on the Green—this program includes colonial crafts and games, food and craft vendors, wine tasting and sales by Adello Winery, and live music by Hogan's Heroes (a local band that plays classic rock and blues). Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for a relaxing evening. Admission is $7 per person for age 16 and up. 5-9 pm.
June 30: Celebrating America's History—enjoy tours of the Boone Homestead, see blacksmithing and other demos, and support the Keystone Military Families Foodbank. Requested admission donation is 2 non-perishable food items per person over 5 (see Facebook event page for needed items). Regular admission fees apply to visit without donating food items. 10 am-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum
June 2: Wildcatter Day—help kick off the summer season at Historic Pithole City, the remains of a 19th-century oil boomtown (Pithole's visitor center is open weekends June-August). Planned activities include food, guided tours, and a vintage baseball game. Admission will be charged. 10 am-4 pm.
June 23: MEET-U BBQ—help support the museum's energy education outreach programs as you enjoy smoked St. Louis-style pork ribs with Sweet Crude barbecue sauce, coleslaw, baked beans, and a cold drink. Keep an eye on the Facebook event page for details. Noon-3 pm.
June 30: Something More Saturday—this month's focus is the Mobile Energy Education Training Unit (MEET-U). There will also be blacksmithing demonstrations. Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
June 23-24: Patch Town Days—this year's program marks the 50th anniversary of the filming of The Molly Maguires right here in the village. Planned activities include rugby matches, a Sean Connery mustache contest, village scavenger hunt, Fact or Fiction Trivia game, breaker boy challenge, cooking demonstrations, live animals, reenactments and skits throughout the village, movie props and memorabilia on display, music, food and more! The film will be shown on Saturday (doors open at 6 pm, lecture at 6:30, film starts at 7) and there will also be a “Join the Strike” Parade at 3:30 pm on Sunday. Admission charged. 10 am-5 pm both days.

Ephrata Cloister
June 21: Bus Trip—Ephrata Cloister Associates have organized a Lancaster-area bus trip that includes Sight and Sound Theater, Bird-in-Hand Restaurant, and the Magic Lantern Show at the Amish Experience Theater. Cost is $130 per person. Deadline to register is June 6 - more details and the registration form.

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
June 2: Mariner’s Ball—this year's event is sold out - save the date for June 1, 2019 (tickets go on sale in April).

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt website for information on programs and events.

Graeme Park
June 17: Living History Sunday—learn about "Childhood at Graeme Park and in the Colonies" during a visit with Dr. Thomas Graeme, his wife Anne Diggs Graeme, and their children. Interactive living history and tours of the Keith House throughout the event with a brief talk at 2 pm. Cost is $6. Noon-3 pm.
June 21: Happy Hour with the Historian—chef, food writer and local historian Heather Greenleaf will present "The History of Willow Grove," exploring everyday life 1910-1925 in the area that surrounds Graeme Park (more info in this article). Enjoy the lovely grounds on a summer evening (program will be indoors if the weather requires). Cost is $5 (free for members); cash bar and food available for purchase. Bar/food starts at 6 pm, lecture at 7.
June 24: Colonial Beer Brewing Demonstration—learn about and watch traditional brewing practices in the summer kitchen. Admission charged for tours of the Keith House (more info on Facebook event page). 11 am-2 pm.

Hope Lodge
Sundays in June: Site open—each Sunday through October, Hope Lodge is open for tours. Admission is charged. Site is open 1-4 pm with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30.
June 2: Ales and Petals/Cars and Motorcycles of England—two events in one! Set up your lawn chairs and picnic blankets in the gardens to enjoy food; live music; tastings of craft beers, wines and ciders (age 21 and older with valid ID); and classic British automobiles. This event will also feature tours of the mansion and colonial games for the kids. More information and a link for purchasing tickets can be found on the website. 10 am-4 pm (rain date is June 3, 11 am-4 pm).
June 6: Ambler Symphony Concert—bring a chair or blanket, a picnic dinner or snack, and enjoy beautiful music on the lawn. Concert and parking are free, donations are accepted. 7-8 pm (rain date is June 13).

Joseph Priestley House
June 9: World Doll Day—this new event is planned in honor of Ruth Eleanor McCorkill (1920-2017), a long-time volunteer at the site (and one of the first women in the U.S. to work in the field of sports publicity). She was active in site efforts to create accurate period clothing for interpretation and created a doll, Merry Mary. Program activities will include food, doll collections, crafts, music, a tea party with Merry Mary, and opportunities to learn more about several generations of Priestleys. The event is free and open to the public. There is a fee for the tea party, and reservations are required (information and form on website). 1-4 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
June 13-16: Summer Institute—Institute offers a wide range of hands-on classes, lectures, tours, and evening events for adults. Some classes fill up quickly, but many opportunities await if you act now (full list of offerings and online registration).

Old Economy Village
June 10: Bridal Showcase—a wide variety of wedding vendors (including bakeries) will be on hand for this event, which takes place in the Rapp House Garden. Admission is free if you pre-register. Check out the website for list of vendors and contact info for registration. 1-4 pm.
June 23: An American Celebration—enjoy music, storytelling, artisan demos, antique cars, and food as you explore the Village. All included in regular admission. 10 am-5 pm. (Rain date: June 24, 10 am-5 pm.)

Pennsbury Manor
Special Sunday Programming—June 3: Historic Trades Day—the blacksmith and the joyner will demonstrate the skills needed to make equipment for the estate; June 10: Living History Theater—“The Murder Trial of Judith Roe”; June 17: Open Hearth Cooking—the cooks will prepare 16th- and 17th-century recipes to explore how cooking techniques were evolving; June 24: Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights—visit the gardens and the brew house to see what's on offer. Sunday programs included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
June 16: Brews & Bites at Pennsbury Manor—sample beers from Philadelphia-area craft brewers and enjoy food, musical entertainment, and demonstrations of historic beer brewing. The event page has info on ticket options and link for online purchase. Must be at least 21 to attend. 4-8 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
June 9: Potter County Youth and Family Field Day—this event is sponsored by the Black Forest Sportsman's Club and is geared for students between the ages of 10 and 16, accompanied by an adult. Qualified instructors will teach a variety of outdoor skills (more info on the museum website). Lunch and equipment will be provided. The event is free, but YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER by JUNE 7 (form and instructions).
UPDATE June 23: Log Birling Clinic—ever wanted to learn how to log roll like the folks at the Bark Peelers' Festival? This is your chance! This clinic is designed for strong swimmers age 12 and up (under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult). All participants must complete and sign a release of liability. More info about what to bring is on the Facebook event page.
June 30: Exhibit reception—the "Creative Makers of the Pennsylvania Wilds" art exhibit features more than 200 images of regional artisans and producers, members of the Wilds Cooperative of Pennsylvania, making their crafts in their creative spaces. (The exhibit opened on May 25 and runs through July 9.) The reception is scheduled for 3-5 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Saturdays and Sundays in June—on weekends, the 1 pm guided tour is included in regular admission (normally an additional charge).
June 2: Exploring the Armor—a special guided tour of the tracked vehicles displayed on the museum grounds, including a chance to look inside the crew compartments. Cost is $15 ($5 for Friends of the PA Military Museum). Participation is limited, and the tour does sell out, so act fast by using the online registration form. 2 pm.
June 3: Friends’ Lecture Series—speaker is Col. O.J. Johnston, USAF, Retired, presenting ""Flying the B-52 Bomber, Guardian of Freedom"." Donations encouraged. 2-3 pm.
June 9: The True Story of Winnie the Pooh—this presentation and movie explore the story of a Canadian Regimental veterinarian in World War I, a bear that ended up in the London Zoo, and how they inspired author A.A. Milne. Donations encouraged. 1:30-2:30 pm.
June 14: Flag Day Celebration—State College Elks Lodge and local veterans organizations sponsor this annual Flag Day service and U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony on the Shrine parade grounds. Attendees are invited to bring U.S. flags that are no longer serviceable; the flags will be disposed of properly. 6-7 pm.
June 16: Buzzcut Saturday—just what it sounds like. Start the summer with a traditional boot camp haircut. Donations accepted or free with museum admission. 10 am-3 pm.
June 23: Boot Camp Prep Class—designed as an adjunct to Boot Camp for Kids (age 8-13) scheduled for August 4, this program will provide group instruction in close order drill, military etiquette, and the history of the 28th Division Shrine. Cost is $25 and includes lunch. Registration is required. You can use online registration but you'll also need to complete and sign the application form. 10 am-3 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
June 2: Wildlife Program—SHC has collaborated with Wildlife Works Inc. to put together this event, called "Feed the Birds." Learn about native birds of PA, meet rescued birds, and make a milk-carton bird feeder to take home. Regular admission fee plus a donation of supplies for Wildlife Works (their website has a list of what they need). Noon.
UPDATE June 9: Historic clothing demonstration—Dr. Karin Bohleke, from the Shippensburg Univ. Fashion Archives and Museum, will present "Victorian's Secrets: Civil War Fashions for Women." For more info, visit Somerset's Facebook event page. 2-3 pm.
June 12: Photo exhibit—this exhibit features entries from the Laurel Highlands Photography Club's 2018 photo contest. Regular admission charged. 6 pm.
June 16: Hands-on Program for Kids—"Gadgets, Gizmos, and What-cha-ma-calli-ts: A Kid's View of Long Ago" includes toys, chores, crafts, and foods from the past. See what life was like hundreds of years ago. Try your hand at spool weaving, nature printing, clay marble making, Scherenschnitte, and more! Cost is $10 per child. Noon-2 pm.
June 30: Liquid Arts Festival—sample products from two local distilleries, a brewery, and a winery; visit the food trucks; and listen to live music, all to benefit the Historical Center. More details available on the Facebook event page. Must be 21 or older to attend. Cost is $5. 1-8 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please check the website for schedule and descriptions of planetarium shows.
June 1: StoryTime—this month's book is Jo MacDonald Hiked in the Woods by Mary Quattlebaum. Listen to the story and sing a song using animal puppets and musical instruments. This program is designed for ages 3 to 5 with an adult. Included in regular admission. 10 am.
June 22, 29: Summer Fridays and Learn at Lunchtime—starting June 22 and continuing through Aug. 24, Fridays are "Pay as you will." From 10 am to 3 pm, entrance to Curiosity Connection will be by timed tickets (numbers are limited). Regular fees apply for the Planetarium. Learn at Lunchtime programs offered 12:15-12:45 pm: 6/22, World War I; 6/29, Black Bears. Museum is open 9 am-5 pm.
June 24: Exhibit opening and reception—“Art of the State,” the annual juried exhibition of Pennsylvania artists, opens today and continues through Sept. 9. Museum admission is free on June 24. Museum open noon-5 pm, exhibit awards ceremony begins at 1:30.
June 27, 28: Meet the Experts—visit Nature Lab to learn about PA Wildlife (6/27) and Flint knapping (6/28) from museum curators. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park events page for info on events and programs.