September 2018 on the Trails of History

Many PA Trails of History sites will be open on Monday, Sept. 3, for Labor Day (noted below).

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Sept. 1: Museum Night at the Ballpark—watch the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders take on the Pawtucket Red Sox, remember The Office (maybe get a bobblehead), and help support the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces. More info is on the museum website. Game time is 7:05 pm.
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 22: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—the museum is one of several Trails of History sites participating in this year's Museum Day. Download a ticket from the Smithsonian magazine website and present it at Anthracite Heritage for free admission for two people. 9 am-5 pm.
Sept. 22: Preservation Workshop—this workshop will be focused on Girl Scout memorabilia, but the concepts are applicable to textile preservation in general. Mary Winslow and Brenda Long of the Girl Scouts Heart of PA Archives Committee will lead this free workshop and will help attendees date their Girl Scout items and put them in historical context. More info is on the website.
Sept. 27: Four Strikes—this panel discussion will explore labor activities in the anthracite region from the 1870s to 1928. Visit the website for details on speakers. Event is free. 7-8:30 pm.
Sept. 28: Fundraiser—Cooper's Seafood House in Scranton hosts a charity night on the last Friday of every month, and this month Anthracite Heritage Museum gets 100% of the proceeds. Details on the restaurant's website. 5-8 pm.

Brandywine Battlefield
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 9: Afternoon Lecture Series—check the website for details.
Sept. 11: Remembrance Day—the annual ceremony commemorating the Battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11, 1777, and the events of Sept. 11, 2001, will be held. Event is free. 6-7 pm.
Sept. 22: Colonial Dancing—learn some of the basics of 18th-century social dancing. Free and open to the public; takes place in the Visitor Center. 11 am-3 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Sept. 8: General Meeting and Lecture—Serena Pape will present a program on West Overton Village, birthplace of Henry Clay Frick, exploring the history of the site as well as its current museum and other activities. Cost is $5 (free for members). 1 pm.
Sept. 19: History Speaks Series—Dana Knezevich, author of Life of Eastern Woodland Indians, will present “The Making of Native American Clothing” (program description is on the website). Cost is $8 in advance, $10 at the door (members get a 10% discount). Contact secretary@bushyrunbattlefield.com or Bushy Run Battlefield at 724-527-5584 for advance tickets.
Sept. 22: Bushy Run Market—this is the last market day for the season. There will be a variety of vendors, and the concession stand will be open. 8 am-noon.
Sept. 29: Fall Nature Walk—Bushy Run volunteers and nature enthusiasts will lead a tour to help you learn about the local flora and fauna on the grounds. Cost is $5 (free for members). 10 am.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
UPDATED Sept. 1-2: Site open and Patriotic Concert—the site will be open on Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. The rescheduled Ringgold Band concert (free of charge) will start at 5 pm on Sunday.
Sept. 9: Living History Sunday—historical reenactors help bring the site and its history to life; today's theme is women's domestic activities. Guided tours offered. Noon-4 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
UPDATED INFO Sept. 22: Cast Iron Cooking Demo—cast iron cooking demonstrations will be presented by several members of the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace. In addition, the museum shop will offer discounts on a variety of Lodge cast iron cooking utensils and accessories. Program is free and open to the public. Site and shop open 9 am-5 pm; cooking demos offered 11 am-3 pm.


Daniel Boone Homestead
Sept. 29: Heritage Day—all kinds of activities will take place throughout the site. Cooking, baking, dancing, magic, and much more (details on the calendar of events.) Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 15: Fall Gas Up—the museum hosts the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society's display of antique gas engines, oil field and farm equipment, and more. Included in regular admission. 9 am-3 pm.
Sept. 29: Something More Saturday—family-friendly craft activities are included in regular admission today (check the Facebook event page for more info). Blacksmithing demos will also be offered. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners' Village
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 22: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—download a ticket from the Smithsonian magazine website and present it at Eckley Miners' Village for free admission for two people. 9 am-5 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 6: Student Historians Informational Meeting—students aged 14 and up and their parents are invited to learn more about Ephrata Cloister's Student Historian program. This after-school club (meets Thursdays 3:30-5 pm) invites young people to gain community service experience while engaging in a variety of activities at the historic site. Register for the informational meeting by calling 717/733-6600.
Sept. 8: Ephrata Cloister Upstairs—a chance to view the upper floors of the 1743 Sisters' House, which are generally not open to visitors. Stairs are narrow and steep and may not be suitable for all visitors. Tickets are limited and advance registrations are encouraged; call the site at 717/733-6600. Cost per person is regular admission plus $15. 10 am-3 pm.
Sept. 10-11: Closed for maintenance—the site is schedule to be closed for maintenance on Monday, Sept. 10. Sept. 11 is the rain date for the maintenance project. If you plan to visit on the 11th, please call ahead (717/733-6600) to make sure they are open.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 10: Commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie—to mark the 205th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, a wreath laying ceremony and remarks will take place on the Outdoor Plaza of the Erie Maritime Museum. This year also is the 30th anniversary of the launch of the current incarnation of the U.S. Brig Niagara. Event is free and open to the public. 5:30 pm.
Sept. 20: Erie Yacht Club Happy Hour—the Lettie G. Howard will be at the Erie Yacht Club for a special dockside happy hour. The event is open to the public. Check the website for updated info.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please check the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on programs and events this month.

Graeme Park
Sept. 5: Life in William Penn's Woods—take a guided walk of the grounds to learn about the plants and trees there now and in the Graemes' time. Leashed dogs are welcome. Cost is $2 per person. 6-7 pm.
Sept. 16: Living History Sunday—today's event explores the struggle Pennsylvania’s Quaker families faced during the Civil War and the impact the war had on farms like Graeme Park. Admission charged. Noon-3 pm; presentation at 2 pm, tours of the Keith House available during the afternoon.
Sept. 20: Happy Hour with the Historian—Dr. Stephen Griffith will explore the history of theater production in colonial Philadelphia from the establishment of Pennsylvania in 1681 to 1800 (more details on the website). Cost to attend is $5 (free for members). Munchies and wine/beer available for purchase starting at 6 pm; lecture begins at 7.
Sept. 28: Homeschool Day—activities include tours of the Keith House, open-hearth cooking, colonial games, and typical chores (program info). Cost is $6 per person; students must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 10 am-2 pm.

Hope Lodge
Sundays in September: Site open—enjoy the grounds and take a guided tour of the mansion. Admission charged. 1-4 pm (tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm). UPDATE 8/30/18 - Hope Lodge will be closed for tours on Sun., Sept. 2; regular schedule resumes on Sept. 9.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
September 2: Ice Cream Sunday—enjoy a "Celebration of Fine Art & Fine Craft" with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen. The event is the culmination of a competition among artists and features judging of plein air artworks produced outdoors throughout the summer at the museum. Juried artists and craftspeople will also exhibit their pieces in the grove while lively music will play in the Firehouse. Free ice cream and wagon rides round out the event. (More details on the website.) Included in regular admission (free for members). Noon-5 pm.
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 8, 22, 29, 30: Fall Workshops—visit the workshop page on LVM's website for details on workshops in Sept., Oct., and Nov.
Sept. 15: Wool Frolic and Yarn Sale—celebrate the fiber arts and the people, plants, and animals that make them possible. Enjoy activities for the kids and shop for deals on yarn, patterns, and paraphernalia. New this year - did you know that sheepdogs practice herding sheep by herding ducks? I didn't either, but now I do. You can give it a try. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Sept. 22: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—Landis Valley is on the list of sites participating in Smithsonian magazine's annual Museum Day. Download a ticket from the Smithsonian magazine website and present it at Landis Valley for free admission for two people. 9 am-5 pm.

Old Economy Village
Sept. 13: Lecture—Jeffrey Snedden, freelance writer and historical researcher, will present a talk on life in Beaver County during World War I. Visitors will also have a chance to see OEV's exhibit on World War I. Free and open to the public. 7 pm.
Sept. 15: Gardening class—"Next Year's Garden," presented by master gardener Cynthia Pagesh, will teach you how to help this year's garden become next year's garden through seed saving and cuttings (more info on Facebook event page). Call David Miller at (724)266-4500 ext.110 for details. 10 am-1 pm.
Sept. 22: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—Old Economy is participating in Smithsonian magazine's annual Museum Day. Download a ticket from the Smithsonian magazine website and present it at Old Economy for free admission for two people. 10 am-5 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Sundays in September: Special programming—Sept. 2, Historic Trades Day features joyners, blacksmiths, and spinners; Sept. 9, Living History Theater presents "New Colony, New Rules"; Sept. 16, Open Hearth Cooking features the bake oven today; Sept. 23, Beer Brewing Sunday will find the brewers working on a traditional fall beer; Sept. 30, Meet the Animals that make Pennsbury their home. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 29: PA Governor's Panel and Luncheon—PLEASE NOTE that Pennsbury will be closed to regular visitors 9/29 for this event: current governor Tom Wolf and several former Pennsylvania governors will discuss the challenges of leading the commonwealth established by William Penn. A 3-course lunch will be served. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go toward establishing the "William Penn Scholarship Fund" for Title I schools. Tickets may be purchased online through TicketLeap. More information on the program, group tickets, and sponsorships is available on the Pennsbury website. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Sept. 1: Community Yard Sale—bargain hunters traveling Route 6 will find vendors in the parking lot of the museum on Saturday. Interested vendors may contact the museum at 814/435-2652 to reserve a spot ($10 donation). 10 am-4 pm.
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 15: 3rd Weekend Program—"Voices of Pine Creek" is an oral history presentation (two documentaries) exploring life in the region through the experiences of local residents. Together the two films run about one hour and 20 minutes. Attendees will also get a sneak peek at the Webber Cabin, home to Bob and Dotty Webber for many years; Bob Webber is among the oral historians featured in "Voices of Pine Creek." 1 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Sept. 3: Labor Day—open regular hours, 10 am-5 pm. Guided tours at 11 am and 1 pm.
Sept. 8-9: Then & Now Living History Bivouac—explore a range of military uniforms and equipment from the 18th century to the present during this military timeline program. Battle dress uniform show and weapons demos at 1 pm each day. 10 am-4 pm. UPDATE 9/8: due to impending weather the program is cancelled for 9/9.
Sept. 9: Friends' Lecture Series—Colonel Lewis Watt will present "Experiences of a Test Pilot." 2-3 pm.
Sept. 19: Civil War Lecture—William C. Davis, retired history professor and executive director of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech, will present "Looking for Loreta--the Confederate Kardashian." Davis's talk, sponsored by the Civil War Era Center at Penn State, focuses on Loreta Velazquez, who allegedly disguised herself as a man to fight and and served as a Confederate spy during the Civil War. 7-8 pm.
Sept. 23: Exploring the Armor—this special 2-hour guided tour begins in the museum theater, then takes you inside some of the military equipment on the grounds. Space is limited, and reservations are required (reserve online). Cost is $15 ($5 for museum members). 2-4 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Sept. 3: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 8-9: Railroad Heritage Days—explore the rich history of railroading through presentations, model train layouts, art and photography, and more. Included in regular admission. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.
Sept. 22: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket, then present it at the Railroad Museum for admission. 9 am-5 pm.
Sept. 29: Members Day—a full slate of activities and speakers is planned for Friends of the Railroad Museum (and it's not too late to join). Full info on the website.

Somerset Historical Center
Sept. 7-9: Mountain Craft Days—since 1970, this event has brought together artisans and craftspeople of all types, and now includes children’s activities, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, and great food (visit SHC's Facebook page for previews of all kinds of activities). Admission is $9 for adults, $5 for kids 6-17 (Friday school tours are $3 per student). 10 am-5 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please check the Planetarium page for updates on this month's programs.
So much to see and do this month, from StoryTime to archaeological excavations to the wrap-up of the annual Art of the State exhibit to the rededication of Mammal Hall (which will be closed for construction Sept. 5-12). Check out The State Museum's calendar of events for all the details.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit Washington Crossing's Calendar of Events page for info on park and historical programming.