Post-Charter Day Catch-Up

I don’t have an exact count, but it looks like upwards of 8,000 people visited the Pennsylvania Trails of History last Sunday to celebrate Charter Day. Free admission and special programs are usually a good draw, and this year was no exception. Many sites posted photos on their Facebook pages, much of which is shared on the PA Trails of History page here. Photos of the Charter Day event at Conrad Weiser Homestead are available here on the Trails of History Flickr photostream. At least a couple of people posted video of the Visitor Center grand opening at Washington Crossing Historic Park on YouTube below and here. Lots of photos and more on Facebook here.



In Other News…

Somerset Historical Center is accepting registrations for its annual Coopering Class, which will take place May 3-5 in the Haupt Education Center. The class, which is part of the Center’s mission of preserving and passing along traditional crafts, teaches participants techniques handed down from the 1800s, using hand tools only and resulting in a maple sugaring keeler (bucket). Past attendees have included men and women with advanced woodworking skills as well as those who were complete novices. You must be at least 18 years old to take the class. For more information or to register, visit Somerset’s website or contact education coordinator Kate Cordek at c-kcordek@pa.gov.

(If coopering isn’t your thing, you can find info on other hands-on learning opportunities for grownups and kids in the March program preview here, with more to come in April and beyond.)

Speaking of Somerset, just this week they were awarded $10,975 from the Somerset County Tourism Grant Program (funded through a portion of the local hotel tax). Congrats!

Coopering workshop 2011, courtesy of Historical and
Genealogical Society of Somerset County

As the bicentennial of the War of 1812 continues (look for more on the Battle of Lake Erie anniversary in future posts), you may want to beef up your knowledge of this important piece of our early national history. Flagship Niagara just posted a link on their Facebook page to the War of 1812 Bicentennial Network, which has developed a series of short films as part of the U.S. Navy’s official commemoration.

Also, this Saturday, March 16, will see the removal of Niagara’s winter cover, as the ship emerges from hibernation to get ready for another sailing season. If it sees its shadow, that means…uh…sorry, that’s something else. Anyway, if you’re interested in becoming part of the ship’s volunteer corps, show up at 8:30 am Saturday at the Erie Maritime Museum’s north entrance (the gate closest to the ship) or visit their website for more details on volunteer opportunities.

I hope you have a great weekend! Slainte!