Snapshots of World War II

Front page of Aug. 20, 1942, Reading Eagle (Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum collection, photo by Claire DeVinney)

Editor's note: Today's guest blogger is Claire DeVinney, a junior at Millersville University majoring in Atlantic World Studies and minoring in Spanish. Claire was one of this summer's PHMC Keystone Interns and worked at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum assisting curator Jennifer Royer with collections care and interpretation. One of her assignments was to create two exhibits for the museum's Collections Gallery display windows. As part of her research, Claire ran across an old newspaper that featured news of World War II, including significant events that occurred 80 years ago today. Given the timeliness of the info, I decided to feature that part of Claire's post today. Next week's post will focus on Claire's description of the two exhibits she prepared.

While looking through the Dr. Ezra Newcomer veterinary collection, I found a copy of the Reading Eagle from August 20th, 1942 (pictured above), which is eighty years ago this week. Most of the stories are focused on World War II, specifically on an attack on the German-held French town of Dieppe, which occurred on August 19th. The lead article, titled "Allies Map Europe Invasion Based on Commando Tactics," explains what Allied forces learned from the Dieppe invasion: "...it proved that a second front can be opened in the west." The Allies did utilize lessons from the Dieppe raid to open a front in France two years later with the D-Day invasion on June 6th, 1944. [Read more about the raid on Dieppe from the National WWII Museum website.]

While the front page details memorable historical events, the Reading Eagle also shows ways that local civilians contributed to the domestic war effort. One article, "Blood Donations Continue Here," reports that the Red Cross mobile blood-donor unit planned to increase monthly visits to Reading after the military announced a need for 3,000,000 pints of blood. Reading residents evidently rose to the occasion -- after the announcement, 50% of donors committed to more donation appointments. Another article explains how women could apply to join the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, or "WAVES," the navy's female division. As a visual illustration, the Eagle includes a photo of a WAVE volunteer applicant having a dental exam (see below). A third article cheerfully points out the bright side of gasoline rationing: "Tire and gasoline rationing has cut Pennsylvania's highway fatality toll...Speeding has fallen off 'noticeably,' [state motor police commissioner Col. Lynn G.] Adams said, expressing a belief it was due to a 'desire to conserve rubber and gasoline.'"

Source: Reading Eagle, August 20, 1942 (Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum collection)

On a related note, the Pennsylvania Military Museum has several World War II-themed events coming up in the next few months: Kids Day: Fun on the Homefront (Aug. 27); Battle of the Huertgen Forest (lecture, Oct. 8); Holiday on the Homefront (Nov. 19 & 20); and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tribute (Dec. 7). - AKF

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Today, August 19

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Chris Kemmerer from the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources will present a virtual program about PA's state parks. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, August 20

• Games Day (in-person); 9 am-4:30 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• A variety of historical miniature war games will be offered for experienced gamers, beginners, and folks in between. Admission is $5 and includes museum admission and a battlefield tour. Food and drink will be available for purchase (Games Day info).

• Family Fun Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• The day includes house tours, carpentry and blacksmithing demos, colonial cooking and dancing, food trucks, and more. Free admission. (Family Day info).

• Model Railroading Days (in-person); 10 am-4 pm Saturday & noon-4 pm Sunday; Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch the world of operating model trains in action and see static displays from a variety of participating groups and clubs. Don't miss the PA Middle Division HO-scale layout or the PA Landscapes layout. Included in regular admission (Model Railroading Days info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Today's book is Tea Rex by Molly Idle. Feel free to wear your best tea party hat or helmet. For kids age 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Lecture (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Lenora Henson, deputy director and curator at the Theodore Roosevelt Inauguration Site, will present "The Green Team: Theodore Roosevelt & Gifford Pinchot," exploring the personal and professional relationships that shaped their conservation efforts and their legacies (Green Team info).

Sunday, August 21

• Open Hearth Cooking Demo (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will be preparing their favorite recipes that use the bounty of the summer harvest. Included in regular admission (Cooking Demo info).

Tuesday, August 23

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - today's topic is Seed Saving. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 23 Garden workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break from the activity. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Aug. 23 Sensory Hours tickets).

Wednesday, August 24

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Using hands-on objects, museum educators will help visitors explore the Mammal Hall dioramas together. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, August 25

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

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about ice cream and PA's story of the banana split. Create and taste some hand-cranked ice cream. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

• Parade of Sails (in-person); 4-6 pm; Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara
• This free event kicks off the Tall Ships Erie 2022 weekend (best spots to watch according to Erie News). Ticketed events run Aug. 26-28 and include a variety of activities and ticket options (Tall Ships Erie info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 12th Annual Crush & Brew (in-person); Sat., Sept. 10, 5-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Wine & beer from local breweries, home brews, and more, as well as food trucks and live music. Event is presented in cooperation with the Ambridge Historic District. Tickets are $30, which includes tasting glass, a food voucher, and admission to the off-site afterparty (Crush & Brew info and tickets).

• Sensory Friendly Visit; Wed., Sept. 14, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Sept. 18, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the gallery will be turned off and the orientation film's volume will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please sign up for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select your date and time).

• Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day; Sat., Sept. 17, hours vary; several Trails of History sites participating
• Download a ticket good for two admissions to a participating site - you can only choose one museum for Museum Day free tickets
• Ephrata Cloister
• PA Lumber Museum
• Railroad Museum of PA

• Colonial Tavern Night (in-person); Sat., Sept. 17, 6-9 pm; Hope Lodge
• An evening of local brews from Round Guys Brewery, food, music, and history to support the site and its programs. General admission is $60 per person; must be 21 or older to attend. Advance tickets are required (Eventbrite site for Tavern Night tickets).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); Fri., Oct. 21, 6:30 and 8:30; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• This program explores funeral and burial customs, powwowing, healing and hexes. It is recommended for adults and older teens. The event involves two hours of walking around a cemetery and the Museum grounds, so please dress for the weather (including your shoes) and bring a flashlight. Tickets are $28 per person and must be purchased in advance (Harvest, Death & Renewal event info and tickets).

New Exhibits on the Trails of History

As summer winds down on the Trails of History, several new exhibits have recently opened or are currently in the works. Curators, historians, craftspeople, and partner organizations have developed these exhibits to share a variety of stories about Pennsylvania and U.S. history, using images, art, and other objects. Some are on temporary display, others will be available long-term.

Just prior to Juneteenth, The State Museum of Pennsylvania opened A Place for All, which explores three stories of racial integration efforts in the Philadelphia area and Pittsburgh. Drawing on research by PHMC historian Eric Ledell Smith (1949-2008), Museum staff combined three stories into a single exhibit and tied them together with additional context. The result provides powerful insights into the Civil Rights Movement in Pennsylvania and features some of the key participants in fighting for racial equality. The exhibit is open during regular hours and included in general admission; it is expected to remain on view for the foreseeable future.

Fort Pitt Museum recently launched a new exhibit, Guyasuta: The Life and Legend of a Seneca Chief. Visitors will learn about the American Indian leader’s allyship with George Washington just before the French and Indian War began and see the bronze maquette for Jim West's “Points of View” sculpture that overlooks Pittsburgh from its perch on Mt. Washington. The exhibit is included in regular admission.

Last weekend, Pennsbury Manor welcomed a new traveling quilt exhibit celebrating the life and contributions of American hero Harriet Tubman. Dreams of Freedom: The Threads That Hold Us Together was organized by the Sankofa Artisans Guild (SAG) and includes quilts submitted by artists and crafters from around the country. The quilts depict scenes and themes honoring Tubman's life and legacy. Included in regular admission, the exhibit will be available for viewing in the Crozier House Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm, through November.

Photo via Drake Well Facebook page

Work continues on the restoration of a replica Densmore Tank Car at Drake Well Museum and Park. Created in 1959 to celebrate the centennial of Edwin Drake's successful oil well, the car was an important part of the Museum's oil transportation exhibits. By the 1990s, however, it was in poor condition and needed significant work. Over the past year or more, staff and volunteers have rebuilt the car's platform and built a new, coopered wooden oil tank (see above). Drake Well posted some images on Facebook in February and earlier this week. Once the restoration work is complete, the Densmore Tank Car will resume its role helping to teach visitors about the history of getting oil from the well to the refinery. You can read more about Densmore Tank Cars in this 1985 article in Pennsylvania Heritage magazine.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Saturday, August 13

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. According to info at the link, all non-member tickets are sold out, but it's probably worth checking just in case (Armored tour tickets).

• Extended Evening Hours (in-person); 4-7 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Enjoy a late-in-the-day visit. Guided tours at 4, 5, and 6; self-guided tours also an option. Regular admission rates apply, and the Museum Store will be open (Ephrata Cloister info).

Sunday, August 14

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be reduced (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please reserve your timeslot, you can pay when you arrive (go to PMM online booking calendar and select Aug. 14).

• Living History Theatre (in-person); noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Yellow Fever has struck William Penn's colony, and it is a terrifying and mysterious threat. Learn about the precautions taken by Pennsbury's residents and others in the area. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).

• Second Sunday Beer Garden (in-person); 1-5 pm; Hope Lodge
• Round Guys Brewing Company will be pouring beer under the tent. Guided tours of the Mansion will be available (as they are most Sundays through October) at 1 and 2:30 (Hope Lodge info).

Tuesday, August 16

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - today's topic is Mustard & Ketchup. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 16 Garden workshop info).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; 5-6 pm; Old Economy Village
• This virtual visit to Old Economy will show you the wide variety of things to see and do. The program is part of the Heinz Center Affiliate Program Experience Kits initiative. Please register to receive the link (OEV Museum Spotlight registration).

• Music on the Lawn (in-person); 7-? pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Tonight's event features "9 Degrees of Syncopation," which recreates the jazz music of Django Reinhardt. Please bring lawn chairs for seating. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 265 Point Township Dr. in Northumberland (Music on the Lawn info).

Wednesday, August 17

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about the science of ornithology, the study of birds. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is "Fine and Folk Art." Panelists from five Trails of History sites will present objects, and then the audience votes on their favorite. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Showcase registration).

Thursday, August 18

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

• Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will be on hand to help visitors explore PA's transportation history. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

• Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); 7-8 pm EDT
• The Oil Museum of Canada will offer a virtual visit to Drake Well Museum & Park with museum educator Sarah Goodman. The program is free, but you'll need to register to get the link (Drake Well at Oil Museum of Canada info and tickets).

Friday, August 19

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Chris Kemmerer from the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources will present a virtual program about PA's state parks. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); final workshop, Tues., Aug. 23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - the topic is Seed Saving. The workshops are open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 23 Garden workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tues., Aug. 23, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break from the activity. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Aug. 23 Sensory Hours tickets).

• Tall Ships Erie (in-person); Thurs., Aug. 25, to Sun., Aug. 28; Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara
• Festivities start Aug. 25 at 4 pm with the Parade of Sails, a free event featuring tall ships from around the Great Lakes. Ticketed activities continue 10 am to 6 pm Aug. 26-28 and are based along the waterfront (Tall Ships Erie info and tickets).

• 12th Annual Crush & Brew (in-person); Sat., Sept. 10, 5-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Wine & beer from local breweries, home brews, and more, as well as food trucks and live music. Event is presented in cooperation with the Ambridge Historic District. Tickets are $30, which includes tasting glass, a food voucher, and admission to the off-site afterparty (Crush & Brew info and tickets).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); Fri., Oct. 21, 6:30 and 8:30; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• This program explores funeral and burial customs, powwowing, healing and hexes. It is recommended for adults and older teens. The event involves two hours of walking around a cemetery and the Museum grounds, so please dress for the weather (including your shoes) and bring a flashlight. Tickets are $28 per person and must be purchased in advance (Harvest, Death & Renewal event info and tickets).

Summer in Bloom

Tansy growing outside the summer kitchen at Graeme Park (photo via GP Facebook page)

The gardens and grounds at our Trails of History sites are brimming with flowers, veggies, and greenery. Many also have shade, so if you're looking for ways to keep cool this weekend, why not visit? Not to mention that there's always at least one air-conditioned building. I hope your weekend is full of fun and interesting things. Don't forget to hydrate!

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Today, August 5

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Wear your best tea party hat or helmet to read Molly Idle's Tea Rex. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Sawmill demo (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Weather permitting, staff at Daniel Boone Homestead will demonstrate the water-powered Bertolet Sawmill, which was moved to the Homestead from its original Berks County site in 1972 (DBH info and a short video preview of what the mill looks and sounds like in operation).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music and food for purchase from local vendors. Some covered seating is provided but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 (First Fridays info).

• Summer Movie Night (in-person); 6-9:30 pm (approx); Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch Night at the Museum (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and ice cream. Advance tickets are $10 each for ages 3+, $15 at the door. Tickets include museum admission from 6 pm until the movie starts outside on the lawn at dusk. Please bring your own lawn seating (Movie Night info and tickets).

Saturday, August 6

• Battle of Bushy Run Anniversary (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 9 am-5 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about the two-day battle between Native American warriors and British soldiers during Pontiac's War, as well as life on the frontier for European settlers and Native peoples (Battle of Bushy Run event info).

• A Tour into the Past Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• There will be a blacksmith, carpenter, colonial dancers, and other presenters to enliven your visit (BBP event info).

• Friends Lecture Series (in-person); 2-3:30 pm; PA Military Museum
• Meg and Dan Smith will discuss life in the Navy band, including training, duty stations, travel and special events. Lecture is free (donations welcome); seating is first come, first served (PMM lecture info).

Sunday, August 7

• Living History Sunday (in-person); noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Living history demonstrations include Native American culture by Darius Puff and 18th-century shoemaking. Guided tours will be available (CWH info).

• Garden Party/Oxygen Day (in-person); noon-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• The Garden Party starts at noon with music, children's activities, light refreshments. From 1 to 4 pm, the house will be open for self-guided tours with docents on hand to answer questions. Dr. Priestley will conduct chemistry demos at 1:30 and 2:30 (stop by the Visitor Center to pick up your free tickets). Both events are free (Garden/Oxygen event info).

• Ice Cream Social (in-person); 1-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Enjoy an ice cream sundae and visit the historic buildings. $10 ticket includes ice cream and access to the grounds; members get in free but pay $5 for ice cream (Ice Cream Social info).

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Historic trades demonstrators will be eager to talk to visitors as they showcase their skills. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).

• Summer Concert Series (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
• Miss Freddye's Homecookin' Band will bring acoustic blues to the garden, with some gospel, classic rock, and a hint of country and bluegrass. The event will move indoors if the weather's bad. Concert is free ($5 donation suggested). Please bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating (Concert Series info).

Tuesday, August 9

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break from the activity. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Aug. 9 Sensory Hours tickets).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - today's topic is flower arrangements. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop info for 8/9).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; 5-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Make a virtual visit to Somerset Historical Center and learn all the site has to offer. The program is free as part of the Heinz Center Affiliates Program; please register to receive the Zoom link (SHC Virtual Museum Spotlight info and registration).

• The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

Wednesday, August 10

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be reduced (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please reserve your timeslot, you can pay when you arrive (go to PMM online booking calendar and select August 10).

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will use hands-on objects to help visitors learn about the Mammal Hall dioramas. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, August 11

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

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about memory and logic and try your skills at a variety of puzzles and games. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

• Ephrata Virtual Academy; 7-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Historian Noah Lewis will present a virtual program on African Americans in the Revolution, based on his extensive research on and portrayal of Edward "Ned" Hector, who served at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. Hector was among thousands of African Americans who served during the American Revolution. The program is free; please sign up to receive the Zoom link (Ephrata Virtual Academy registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park
• This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and there are in-person and virtual options. Online registration ends August 8 (Registration info for all categories).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., Aug. 16-23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - a new topic each week. The workshops are open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop dates and topics).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Sun., Aug. 14, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be reduced (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please reserve your timeslot, you can pay when you arrive (go to PMM online booking calendar and select Aug. 14).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; Tues., Aug. 16, 5-6 pm; Old Economy Village
• This virtual visit to Old Economy will show you the wide variety of things to see and do. The program is part of the Heinz Center Affiliate Program Experience Kits initiative. Please register to receive the link (OEV Museum Spotlight registration).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; Wed., Aug. 17, 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is "Fine and Folk Art." Panelists from five Trails of History sites will present objects, and then the audience votes on their favorite. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Showcase registration).

• Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); Thurs., Aug. 18, 7-8 pm EDT
• The Oil Museum of Canada will offer a virtual visit to Drake Well Museum & Park with museum educator Sarah Goodman. The program is free, but you'll need to register to get the link (Drake Well at Oil Museum of Canada info and tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tues., Aug. 23, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break from the activity. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Aug. 23 Sensory Hours tickets).