Is it Spring Yet?

Fingers crossed, the warming trend looks sort of promising for the official start of spring. Time to think about planting gardens and making plans that don’t include a snow date.



Curator Sarah Buffington at OEV via Facebook

We’ve shared details of the restoration project at Old Economy Village that is focused on the George and Frederick Rapp Houses throughout the winter, thanks to their blogging curator, Sarah Buffington. The photo above shows the arrival of reproduction carpet, based on historical examples. It’s vicarious fun to see these project milestones accomplished. At least it is for me.

In anticipation of their annual brewfest on May 3, Friends of Washington Crossing are once again hosting a caption contest, with a deadline of April 1. You can see the photo and enter by visiting their Facebook page. (Also note that Daniel Boone Homestead has a beerfest on April 5, Pennsbury Manor’s Brews and Bites event is scheduled for June 14, and Cornwall Iron Furnace’s Blast! beer and wine event is on August 8.)

Flagship Niagara League is helping the Regional Science Consortium win a “Grassroots Grant” from the BoatUS Foundation to support a new offshore weather buoy for Erie that would assist all boaters (including Niagara’s crew). You can vote once a day on the BoatUS Foundation Facebook page until March 28 (be aware that you have to “like” their page in order to vote).

Speaking of ships, Chuck Smith at the Pennsylvania Military Museum shared an interesting story with me. He was looking for graphics to add to some signage on the museum grounds to help explain the history of the Pennsy Guns (you can read more about them on the PMM website). His search led him to a Polish graphic artist, John S. Lipiecki, who has done a considerable amount of research and writing on the USS Pennsylvania and similar ships, although his articles are not yet translated into English. Mr. Lipiecki has generously agreed to let the museum use his drawing at no charge.

First Lady Susan Corbett and PHMC Executive Director James Vaughan
with portrait of Hannah Penn via PA Trails of History

A newly commissioned portrait of Hannah Callowhill Penn, second wife of William Penn and acting proprietor (essentially governor) of Pennsylvania from 1712 until her death in 1726, was unveiled on March 19 at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Hannah Penn is the first woman to have her portrait hang in the Governor’s Office, where she will join other former governors of the Commonwealth. You can learn more about Hannah Penn, especially her life here in Pennsylvania, by visiting Pennsbury Manor.

Weekend events:
The March program preview was posted a few weeks ago, but here are some highlights coming up in the next week or so:

Daniel Boone Homestead
March 23: Women’s History Lecture—Program is at 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
March 29: Edwin Drake’s Birthday—come celebrate Col. Drake’s 195th birthday by visiting the birthplace of the modern oil industry. Also, March kicks off the monthly meeting and demonstrations of the Oil Valley Blacksmiths (last Saturday of every month through October). 9 am-2 pm. Both are included in regular museum admission.

Ephrata Cloister
March 22: Spring Planting—the next installment in the “Making History Workshops” series. Learn about historic seed and plant varieties and start planning your garden. Cost is $15 ($10 for members of Ephrata Cloister Associates). 10 am-noon.
March 27: Winter History Class—class began in February, but you can still sign up for the remaining sessions or the field trip on April 3.
March 28-29: Stuffed Animal Sleepover—preschoolers can leave a stuffed animal or doll to have an adventure at the site, then return the next morning (with an adult) to take part in the same activities. Cost is $6 for an adult and one child (age 3-5), $3 for each additional child; FREE for family-level members. Drop off is between 3 and 5 pm on 3/28; morning program on 3/29 runs 10 am-noon.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
March 22, 29: Folk Art & Friendship Classes—tole painting and scratched eggs are the topics for this month’s remaining classes (registration required, details on the website). 1-3 pm.

Old Economy Village
March 29: Community College of Beaver County—is offering a series of non-credit courses taught on-site at OEV. Homemade Bread Baking will use one of the site’s brick bake ovens. More info is on the website.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
March 22: Documentary Film—“You Enter Germany: Bloody Huertgen and the Siegfried Line,” a German documentary released in 2007 includes archival footage and interviews with veterans. Donations accepted. 1:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
March 21: 3rd in the Burg—This month features the South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Arts Awards (5:30-7:30 pm) and a Doshi Dialogue in the Susquehanna Art Museum’s Doshi Gallery (6:30 pm). The Scholastic Arts Awards will also be the focus of a Learn @ Lunchtime program on March 28 at noon.