A Glorious Fourth

Congratulations to Cornwall Iron Furnace on being named Best Historic Attraction in the Lebanon Valley (you can read more here).

Even though it’s hot and muggy this week, I can’t seem to wrap my head around the whole month of July just yet. So here’s what’s happening July 1-5 (stand by for the full July preview this Friday). Most sites on the Trails of History will be open on July 4, but there are exceptions, so please check ahead. You can find a list of open sites here. I hope that you have a safe and happy day of enjoying family and friends and celebrating our national birthday. If you’re headed to Gettysburg over the next few days, I’ll echo what I heard on the radio earlier this week—Park your car and take the shuttle.

This also seems like an appropriate time to remind you that Trails of History sites are, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Blue Star Museums, offering free regular admission to active duty military members and their families. In fact, we offer it the rest of the year as well but are proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, along with nearly 2,000 museums nationwide.

Daniel Boone Homestead
July 4: Independence Day Program—learn about the different kinds of military troops that fought the American Revolution, drill with the local militia, tour the Boone house, watch blacksmith demonstrations, and more. Light refreshments will be available, but you can also bring a picnic. Admission is $4 for ages 4-12, $6 for anyone 13 and older. 10 am-4 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum/Flagship Niagara
July 4: Independence Day-enjoy free admission, a free hotdog, and a tour of the ship. Perry 200 commemorative t-shirts will be available for $5. Museum open 9 am-5 pm (I'm guessing the hotdogs will be available sometime later than 9 am).

Fort Pitt Museum
July 4: Fourth at the Fort—living history programs, children’s crafts, readings of the Declaration of Independence and more. For details, go here.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
July 2: Civil War Roundtable Lecture-Capt. David Willmann, instructor at the Army War College and professor at the Naval War College, will talk about operational/strategic issues related to the Battle of Gettysburg. Check here for details. 7 pm.
July 5: Registration deadline for Boot Camp for Kids—camp takes place August 3 and is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 13; go here for details and registration info. Photos from the museum's first Buzz Cut Saturday are here or you can watch video here.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
July 2-7: Reading Railroad Days—offered in conjunction with the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society, this program features an enormous HO-scale model train layout and highlights Reading Company rolling stock in the Museum’s collection. Included in regular museum admission; go here for more info.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
July 1-2: Extended Opening Schedule—with an expected increase in area visitation due to the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, the State Museum will be open Monday and Tuesday (Curiosity Connection and Planetarium will be closed), 9 am-5 pm; they will be closed on July 4. Regular admission fees apply; adults who purchase an admission ticket will receive a coupon good for $2 off regular admission at the National Civil War Museum (now through Sept. 1).

Washington Crossing Historic Park
July 4: Fourth of July Celebration—Glover’s 14th Continental Regiment and other Revolutionary War-era living historians will be on hand to provide a window into the past; there will also be readings of the Declaration of Independence several times throughout the day on the steps of McKonkey’s Ferry Inn. Admission is $4 for ages 5-11, $8 for ages 12 and up. 11 am-3 pm.