While We're Away

Learn about this art installation at The State Museum of Pennsylvania on Sunday (photo via SMOP calendar)

NOTE: Trailheads HQ has been on break this week. The info below was accurate (as far as we know) as of June 30, but it's a good idea to double check (especially weekend events) before heading to a site. Enjoy!

Up Next

Today, July 7

• Reading Railroad Days, Part 2 (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Event highlights the historic Reading Railroad with an enormous, detailed HO scale model train layout of the Reading Railroad, operated by members of the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Visitors also may view historic Reading Company equipment from the Museum’s premier collection. Included in regular admission (Reading Railroad Days info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Hear a reading of Birds by Kevin Henkes, learn about the many colors of birds, and paint with bird feathers. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Travel by Land, Air, and Water (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover how the Scotty Trailer, Piper Cub and the Cowell Runabout changed recreational travel in Pennsylvania and beyond. Choose an adventure and create a travel itinerary and discover the items you would need along the way. Included in regular admission (Travel program info).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy an evening of music, family games, tractor rides, and food trucks. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Parking is $5 per car, but there is no admission fee (July First Fridays info).

Saturday, July 8

• Kids Day: Working Animals (in-person); 9 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Learn how the military has used working animals throughout the centuries, from cats to carrier pigeons (Kids Day info).

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Did you know that the dioramas in Mammal Hall are based on real locations in Pennsylvania? Locate each of these spots on the giant map of Pennsylvania and discover some interesting facts about our state mammals. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall program info).

Sunday, July 9

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Join the townspeople of Philadelphia in the summer of 1700 as they discuss how to handle their newfound problem with pirates and rid themselves of these unwelcome intruders. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

• Moving Art (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore Continuum, a large-scale cast glass and stainless-steel kinetic sculpture by Robin Stanaway. The sculpture uses different elements working together to form a visual poem of Pennsylvania. Discover close-looking techniques and use your new knowledge and creativity to design your own movable work of art. Included in regular admission (Art program info).

Wednesday, July 12

• State Symbol: Firefly (in-person); 10-11 am; The State Museum of PA
• Pennsylvania is home to more than 15 species of fireflies and this nocturnal insect family was chosen as a state symbol to represent Pennsylvania in 1988. Learn more about this bioluminescent beetle, how it communicates and why it was selected as a state symbol. Included in regular admission (Firefly program info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month. Admission and planetarium tickets must be purchased at least 5 minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

Thursday, July 13

• Giant Map of Pennsylvania (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Challenge your knowledge of the geography of Pennsylvania while exploring the giant map of the state. Included in regular admission (Giant Map of PA program info).

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in the garden and then explore the grounds of Pennsbury Manor. Cost is a $3 grounds pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Chemistry (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This family-friendly program offers and basic introduction to chemistry. Learn about the basic components of the matter around us, the elements and periodic table, and create your own compound to take home and play with. Included in regular admission, but space is limited. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Chemistry program info).

Friday, July 14

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Touch furs, hold antlers, view skulls and ask questions during a tour of Mammal Hall. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall tour info).

• Chill and Build (in-person); 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Unwind with the family on a Friday afternoon. Choose the colors and shapes to make your own creation or follow the pattern on the design cards to make a tree, rocket and more using building blocks. Included in regular admission (Chill and Build program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, July 25, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is about preserving produce. Geared for ages 12 and up. Registration required - $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (July Garden Workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for Aug. 8 Sensory Hours and tickets for Aug. 22 Sensory Hours).

• The Colemans and Martic Forge (hybrid); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Jim Polczynski will present a program centered on the ownership of Martic Forge by three generations of the Coleman family (who also owned Cornwall Iron Furnace). You can attend the program in person at Freeman Hall, Cornwall Manor Retirement Community, or virtually via Zoom (Martic Forge lecture info and registration).

• The "Dead" of Summer (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 19, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• Experience a reenactment of an early 20th-century seance focused on the period when many had lost loved ones to the 1918 flu pandemic or World War I and were susceptible to this form of entertainment. Tickets are limited and will be available online (Dead of Summer info and tickets).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 26, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a private history tour of the outside tracked vehicles and discuss the history of armored vehicles with a preeminent local historian. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

Summer Camp Programs (camps are in-person unless marked otherwise)

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 3-4), July 11-14, 9 am-2 pm
• Live the Battle Week (grades 5-6), July 18-21, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 5-6), July 25-28, 9 am-2 pm

• Drake Well Museum & Park (Drake Well camp info)
• Discovery Days Camp (ages 8-12), July 13, 20 & 27, 9 am-4 pm

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (LVVFM camp info)
• A Child's Life in the Civil War (ages 5-11), July 18-21, 9 am-12:30 pm

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

• Pennsbury Manor (Pennsbury camp info)
• Colonial Camp Week (ages 6-8), July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

Holiday Schedules on the Trails of History

The information below is accurate, to the best of my knowledge, as of Dec. 21, 2017. It is always advisable to check ahead when you make plans, to be sure the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there. This is especially true in the winter when holidays and weather events can disrupt the regular schedules.

On behalf of everyone here at Trailheads HQ, I hope you have a chance in the coming week to spend time with family and friends, enjoy some quiet reflection, or maybe a little of both. If you are traveling, I wish you safe and easy roads, rails, and skies.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATED 12/28/17: Many sites will be closing early today, Dec. 22 29, but will be open regular hours tomorrow, Dec. 23 30 (unless otherwise noted below).

The replica oil derrick at Drake Well Museum and Park (via Facebook)

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Wed-Sun)

Brandywine Battlefield Park

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: closed through mid-March 2018 except by appt)

Bushy Run Battlefield

Closed for the winter; reopens April 18, 2018

Conrad Weiser Homestead

Closed for the winter; reopens on Charter Day, March 11, 2018

Cornwall Iron Furnace

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Thurs-Sun)

Daniel Boone Homestead

Closed 12/24-25, 1/1 (winter: open Sat-Sun through mid-March 2018)

Drake Well Museum and Park

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular hours thru 12/31, Tues-Sun, then winter hours: open Sat-Sun through Feb. 28, 2018)

Dec. 30: Something More Saturday—enjoy family-friendly activities and learning added to the museum's regular offerings (watch the Facebook event page for details). 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Mon-Sun)

Ephrata Cloister

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (check website for winter hours)

Dec. 27-30: Lantern Tours—reservations are required (details on the website)

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Thurs-Sat through March 2018)

Fort Pitt Museum

Closed 12/25, 1/1 (in between, regular: open Mon-Sun. AS OF 1/1, closed for maintenance and exhibit updates, reopening Jan. 27, 2018.)

Graeme Park

Closed 12/22-25, 12/29-1/1 (regular Fri-Sun schedule resumes 1/5/18)

Hope Lodge

Closed for the winter; reopens spring 2018

Joseph Priestley House

Closed for the winter except for Twelfth Night event on Jan. 7; reopens Charter Day, March 11, 2018

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Wed-Sun)

Dec. 28 & 29: Winter Day Camp—fun stuff to chase those school vacation blues (whose?). Registration is required (details on the website)

Old Economy Village

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: closed through March 31, 2018)

Pennsbury Manor

Closed 12/24-25, 1/1 (open 12/31, self-guided tours only) (winter: closed through Feb. 28, 2018)

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sun)

Pennsylvania Military Museum

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sun)

Pennsylvania State Archives

Closed 12/23-25, 12/30-1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sat; please note that the Search Room will be closed Jan. 6-13; they'll be staffing a booth at the PA Farm Show)

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Tues-Sun)

Somerset Historical Center

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Tues-Sat)

State Museum of Pennsylvania

Closed 12/24-25, 1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sun)

Dec. 29: Noon Year’s Eve Celebration—ring in 2018 a little early at this annual event (see website for details). 10 am-1 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park

Check website for updates on 12/25 Christmas Crossing Reenactment and winter schedule changes.

A Brand New Month

The full August program page is available for those of you who like to plan ahead. I've highlighted events coming up this weekend and next week in the space below.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Aug. 5: Labor Heritage Day—commemorating the coal miners' and laborers' strike of Aug. 1, 1877. At 2pm, an original play, After the Shots were Fired, by Margo L. Azzarelli, Marnie Azzarelli and Alex Lotorto, will be presented in the auditorium. The one-act play commemorates the 140th anniversary of the 1877 riot on Lackawanna Avenue where four men lost their lives during a time of labor unrest in the country. (After the Shots were Fired is funded by a Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Community Project Grant.) The day will conclude with various labor related literary submissions being read from members of our local community. Light refreshments will be served. The heritage day events are free; museum admission is charged to view the core exhibits. Noon-4 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Aug. 5-6: 254th Anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run—there are two battle reenactments (morning and afternoon), so you can learn about the events of August 5 and 6, 1763, all in one day. You'll also find military camps, period craftspeople, and food vendors at this annual event. Admission is $8 for ages 13+, $5 for ages 4-12. 10 am-4 pm both days.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Aug. 6: Living History Sunday—learn about life in Berks County in the mid-18th century. Guided tours offered. Noon-4 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Aug. 8: Lecture—Jim Polcynski will present "Transition from Grubbs to Colemans." Learn about the transition of ownership of the Cornwall Furnace, Ore Banks, and related properties from the Grubb family to Robert Coleman in the late 18th century. Part of the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace lecture series, the program takes place in the auditorium of Freeman Community Center at Cornwall Manor. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Aug. 5: Colonial Games and Gambling—learn about and try your hand at a variety of early American games, such as cards, hazard, draughts, dice, and backgammon. Peanuts will be used for wagering. 2 pm.
Aug. 9: Sawmill Operation Day—subject to staff availability, there will be demonstrations of the site’s water-powered sawmill at 11 am and 2 pm. Free of charge (admission rates apply to tour the historic area.)

Drake Well Museum
Aug. 5-6: Historic Pithole Open—the visitor center will be open, so enjoy the orientation film and the excellent diorama that shows the town in its heyday. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Aug. 6: Drake Well Marathon and 1/2—this is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Both races (full marathon and half marathon) begin and end at the Museum and make use of Titusville streets and the bike path in Oil Creek State Park. Proceeds benefit Drake Well Museum and Park. You must register to participate.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Aug. 5-6: 1940s Weekend—learn about life during World War II through home front and military displays, music, food, and more throughout the site. Off-site at 6 pm on the 5th, there will be a Swing Dance at Freeland Public Park Pavilion. Admission charged (separate fee for dance). 10 am-5 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Aug. 6: Ice Cream Social—ice cream (courtesy of Turkey Hill and dipped by PA State Representatives Mindy Fee and David Zimmerman) and an old-fashioned sing-along in a beautiful setting. K-Pets therapy dogs will be visiting, and the winning ticket for quilt raffle will be drawn. Admission is $5 per person for ages 6 and up (younger than 6 get in free). 1-4 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Aug. 8: Erie Gives—you can support the museum and ship and stretch your donation by participating in Erie Gives Day. Online giving only, 8 am-8 pm, on the Flagship Niagara League's Erie Gives page.

Fort Pitt Museum
Aug. 5-6: Guided Tours—docents will lead one-hour tours of the museum exhibits twice daily on weekends this summer. Visit Fort Pitt's Facebook page for this weekend's tour times.
Aug. 5 and 6: Living History Programs—this "Artillery and Artificers" explores the fort's artillery, the people who fired it (with demos during the day, weather permitting), and the people who made it; 11 am-4 pm both days. The Fort Pitt Fife and Drum Corps will be on hand Sat., Aug. 5, from noon to 4 pm.

Graeme Park
Aug. 6: Hearth Cooking Class—today's class, "Let Food Be Thy Medicine," is the first in a series of four offered this month. Each class is $45 per person ($35 for members), but there are discounts for taking multiple classes. Check out Graeme Park's e-newsletter for details on the other classes and for a link to register for one or more.

Hope Lodge
Aug. 9: Movie Night—bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Presented by Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation. Admission is free, snacks available for purchase. Starts at dusk. (Raindate is Aug. 10.)

Joseph Priestley House
Aug. 6: Oxygen Day—in honor of Dr. Priestley’s best known scientific contribution, this program features costumed docents throughout the house and chemistry demonstrations (more info on the website). Admission is free. 1-4 pm; chemistry demos at 1:30 and 2:30 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Aug. 8: Hands-On History Day—experience chores, games, and crafts from the past, take a wagon ride, and learn your lessons in the one-room schoolhouse (more info and online ticketing on website). Cost is $11 per person (FREE for Landis Valley Associate members and kids age 5 and under). 10 am-3 pm.

Old Economy Village
Aug. 5: Spotlight Saturday—glimpse life and work in the 19th century through demonstrations and tours. This week's focus is blacksmithing. Included in regular admission, so please start at the Visitor Center. 11 am-4 pm (site open 10 am-5 pm).

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Aug 5-6: Guided Tours—the 1 pm guided tour each day is included in museum admission.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Aug. 4: Free Summer Friday, StoryTime, and Learn at Lunchtime—admission is free all day on Fridays in the summer; timed tickets will be available for 45 minutes of play in Curiosity Connection; regular fees apply for the Planetarium. Today's StoryTime program (10-11 am) will include a tour of selected works in the "Art of the State" exhibit and a reading of Perfect Square by Michael Hall. Today's Learn at Lunchtime program (12:15 pm in Nature Lab) is "Pennsylvania Birds."
Aug. 6: Artist's Conversations—take an informal tour of this year's "Art of the State" exhibit with artist Michael Brolly, first prize winner in the Craft category, and Collections Advancement Project curator Carol Buck. Included in general admission. 2-3 pm.
Aug. 7-10: Nature Lab and Planetarium—visit the Museum's events page for details.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Aug. 6: Kayak the Canal—all equipment will be provided and no kayaking experience is required for this leisurely paddle along the Delaware Canal. Cost is $5 per person and you must pre-register. Register online for either the 10 am-noon paddle or the 1-3 pm paddle.

Enjoy the holiday!

Trailheads is taking a vacation this week, but you can still find the info you really need.

July program page with listings for today through the end of the month.

A list of sites that will be open on Monday, July 4 (not all Trails of History sites will be open, so please be sure to check the list).


Please celebrate responsibly and safely. And I'll see you next week!

Summertime, Summertime, Sum, Sum, Summertime

It's not official yet, of course, but once the temps get into the 80s, it's summer to me. Time to start complaining about heat and humidity! With the school year just about to end in most places (depending on your snow day situation), I'm a little behind on highlighting summer camp opportunities on the Trails of History. Some are already fully booked, but there are still plenty of chances for parents and caregivers to get a little break sign their young folk up for fun and learning. This list is not an exhaustive list of programming on the Trails this summer; watch for the monthly program listings for the full calendar (June listing is here).

A colleague recently shared a note from a reenactor. The reenactor is also a history instructor at a major university and chalks that up, at least in part, to educational programs and museum visits at the PA Military Museum during his grade school years. "When considering my own story, I strongly encourage educators to work their way through the red tape and finances of arranging field trips for their pupils. The hassle is worth the end benefits. The power of place evokes meaning and connection to young people in dramatic ways. At least it did for me." School field trips are getting fewer and farther between, at least in some districts, but summer history camps and other programs are great ways to nurture a love of history, keep kids active, foster a little (well-supervised) independence, and fight the dreaded "summer learning loss." So, let's get out there!

Anthracite Heritage Museum, Children's Summer Camp, July 14-17 (photos from past years). For ages 7-12. Fee charged. Call the museum at 570/963-4804 for more information.

Brandywine Battlefield, Summer History Camp, weekly sessions - June 22-26 through Aug. 3-7, ages vary by week. Week 6 (July 27-31) is fully booked, and Week 3 (July 6-10) is filling up fast. Members receive a discount on registration. Brandywine also offers (subject to enrollment) an extended day option for campers at an additional charge. (Registration and info.)

Learning about colonial life at Daniel Boone Homestead

Daniel Boone Homestead, History Day Camp, July 13-17 - this week-long program features a different theme each day. Members receive a discount. (Registration brochure and info.)

Drake Well Museum, "It's All About Oil" Camp, July 13-17 - for children entering grades 4-6. Hands on activities teach about life on an oil lease. More info here.

Ephrata Cloister, Colonial Summer Camp, July 14-17 or August 11-14 - for ages 6-12 (6-8 and 9-12 will be in different groups). Explore life at historic Ephrata Cloister through individual and team projects, including arts and crafts, music, and role playing. Members receive a discount. (More info.) Please register by July 3 (online registration through Eventbrite, in-person, or by phone at 717/733-6600.)

Ephrata Cloister is also part of this summer's GoEphrata letterboxing initiative sponsored by Ephrata Public Library and Wellspan Health. Wooden posts with metal "autographs" have been set up around the area (including two at Ephrata Cloister) to encourage families to get outside and explore this summer. Booklets and sheets for making rubbings of the autographs can be picked up at the library or downloaded from GoEphrata.org. Prizes are awarded for participation; the program kicked off on May 30 and is gaining popularity very quickly.

History camp at Joseph Priestley House

Joseph Priestley House, History Camp, July 22-24 - for children in grades 1-6. This year's theme is "Priestley House Childhood Memories." (More info here). Space is limited; enroll by July 20.

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Historic Trades Camp, July 14-17 - designed for older kids (age 12-17), this year's theme is "Journey to America." (Please note that Summer Sampler Camp is full.) Members receive a discount. (More info.)

Old Economy Village, Happy Ways of Olden Days (Learning 19th-century Life through a Child's Eyes), July 20-24 or July 27-31 - for ages 6-12. Hands-on activities, art projects, music, and more. (Registration form and info.) Members receive a discount. Registration deadline is July 1.

Pennsbury Manor, Colonial Camp I & II, July 13-17 or July 27-31; Time Travelers Camp, July 22-26 - Colonial Camp is for children who have completed grades 1-4, Time Travelers is for grades 5-7. Family-level members receive a discount. (Program brochure and registration form.)

Boot Camp for Kids platoon, 2014

PA Military Museum, Boot Camp for Kids, August 1 - for boys and girls ages 8 to 13 and taught by military veterans (photos from last year). Registration is required by July 24 (form and info); museum members receive a discount.

Railroad Museum of PA, Barons & Builders Day Camp, July 13-17 - at last check there were still slots available for this session, designed for 9 and 10 year olds (the session for the 11-12 set is already full). Don't wait, register now! (More info and registration form.)

Somerset Historical Center, History Day Camp, 4 one-day sessions - Jun. 29, Jul. 13 & 27, Aug. 10 - each day will have a different theme. Discount for members and/or if you sign up for all 4 days. (More info.)

The State Museum of Pennsylvania, Our Solar System Summer Day Camp, 3 sessions - July 7, 14, or 21. For ages 9-12. Explore the Earth's solar system through hands-on activities and planetarium visits. Pick the day that suits your schedule. (More info.) Members receive a discount.

Stuff to Do Next Week

You can read an electronic version of the Trailheads feature in Pennsylvania Heritage magazine here (or better yet, you can join the Pennsylvania Heritage Society and get the magazine and other membership benefits).

For all of you out there looking for something to do in the coming week—between holiday celebrations and fighting with your in-laws (just kidding)—here’s a recap of what you’ll find on the Trails of History. All sites (except Washington Crossing) will be closed on Dec. 25. Most sites are closed on Mondays at this time of year, but Eckley Miners’ Village, Fort Pitt, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open on Dec. 26 for your visiting pleasure. Given seasonal schedules, I highly recommend checking ahead with the site you want to visit to see if they’ll be open when you plan to be there.

PHMC/Anthracite Heritage Museum

First of all, thanks to the folks at the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces for sharing the photo above. As part of the Museum's annual board, staff, and volunteer luncheon, everyone brought a gift for Toys for Tots. The collected goodies were delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps Sub District Recruiting Station in Scranton. Curator John Fielding is shown here with two Marines and several of the new toys collected. I'll also mention that other sites also mix community service with their holiday programs (if I've left out a site, please let me know)--Landis Valley collects non-perishable food items as part of their community bonfire program; Erie Maritime's Christmas Tree ship program collects holiday decorations and scarves/gloves/hats for people who need them; and the Railroad Museum of PA serves as a collection point for Toys for Tots in their community. Thanks, all of you, for all you do.

Ephrata Cloister
Dec. 27-30, Lantern Tours—special evening tours bring the site and its history to life; student historians work with staff to present this perennial favorite. The 2011 tour explores education in a variety of forms at the historic Ephrata Cloister. Reservations are required as the space in each time slot is limited. Call 717-733-6600.

Erie Maritime Museum and US Brig Niagara
Flagship Niagara League graphic designer Tim McLaughlin has developed a paper model of Niagara that could be the perfect snowy day project. Click on Paper Niagara Directions, Paper Niagara Sail Plan, and Niagara Paper Ship for the pieces you'll need. If you're in the area, why not visit the ship before or after you build your own?

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Dec. 27 and 28, Winter Camp—help combat school break boredom by attending either or both days of this engaging program. Hands-on activities include open hearth cooking. Registration fee is required (multi-day, multiple child, and member discounts are available); call 717/569-0401 x228 for more details.

Pennsylvania State Archives
If you prefer some armchair history, the staff of the State Archives has selected 15 episodes of Harrisburg broadcaster and historian Pete Wambach’s “This is Pennsylvania” radio program (which aired throughout the state from 1964 to 1985). These seasonal selections (you’ll need to scroll down the page) last about 3 minutes each and include transcriptions.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Dec. 31, Last day to view the exhibit, Rail Traffic Control: Managing the Crossroads of Commerce.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Dec. 29, Noon Year’s Eve—young children and their families can ring in the New Year a little early at this annual event. Included in museum admission; free to museum members.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Dec. 25, Washington Crosses the Delaware—the annual reenactment of the daring move by George Washington and his troops to attack the garrison at Trenton; free of charge.
Dec. 31, 235th Anniversary of the Crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton—this reenactment event takes troops from Washington Crossing, PA, (or they can join up on the NJ side of the Delaware) to the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton (on foot). Registration is required to participate (the public is invited to watch); go here for more information.

And finally, here’s a YouTube clip from Ephrata Cloister’s Christmas at the Cloister program in 2009. Whatever holiday you’re celebrating, may it be filled with good things.

Summer camping on the Trails of History

Oh, how I wish there had been a summer history camp in my neighborhood when I was a kid. It would have saved me that very uncomfortable week of sports camp. The less said about that, the better. Today’s young history lovers have a choice, though. A chance to be outside with other kids, but without all that awkward “choosing up sides.” Heaven. At least for this nerd.

Anyway, the Trails of History offer a wide variety of summer day camps for kids (there’s even one for grown-ups). Hands-on learning, crafts, and field trips are standard fare for summer camps, but history camps focus those activities on a historic site or museum and put them in an interesting and unique context. They give kids a taste of how museums work, how historians know what they know (and what they don’t know), and what life was like for people of the past. Along with a healthy dose of fun, fresh air, and (more or less) historically accurate snacks. What’s not to like?

Ages vary for the camps, but most are open to children in the mid-to-upper elementary grades. Also (shameless plug alert), many of the camps offer a discount for members of the site friends group, so you can join, support the site (take part in its advocacy efforts), AND save some money. Everybody wins!

PHMC/Anthracite Heritage Museum

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Coal Country Camp: July 13-16

Brandywine Battlefield
Summer History Camp: June 21-25, July 5-9, July 12-16, July 19-23, July 26-30, August 2-6, August 9-13

Eckley Miners’ Village
Children’s History Camp: July 12-14

Graeme Park
Colonial Living Camp: August 9-13

Joseph Priestley House
Summer History Camp: July 21-23

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
54th Annual Summer Institute (this one is for grown-ups): June 14-18
Summer Camp: June 15-18, July 13-16, July 20-23

PHMC/Old Economy Village

Old Economy Village
Summer Day Camp: August 2-6

Pennsbury Manor
Colonial Camp: July 12-16, July 26-30

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Barons and Builders Camp: July 12-16, July 26-30