Museum Selfie Day

Thanks to PHMC's information specialist Sean Adkins, staff and volunteers on the PA Trails of History participated in Wednesday's Museum Selfie Day via Twitter and Facebook. Lots of sites joined in by sending their selfies to Sean. People picked locations at sites or favorite objects in the collection. The folks at the Erie Maritime Museum/US Brig Niagara and Pennsbury Manor posted their own selfies from various locations. It was fun and I hope PHMC's social media audiences enjoyed it, too. Sean gathered all the photos from Twitter into a Storify post, so check it out.

I hope your new year is off to a good start. Before we jump into the January program listings, I'd like to share a couple of links to images of the 2014 Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Not quite the same as being there, but for many of us, it will have to do. Friends of Washington Crossing Park uploaded photos to their Facebook page, and the Times of Trenton has an online article with photos.

Not on the PA Trails of History but a favorite photo from the past year (photo by AKF)

Please be sure to check site operating schedules before you visit, to avoid disappointment and frustration. Winter brings adjusted days, hours, and/or building availability, as well as the occasional weather-related closure. Most sites will be closed on January 19 for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday; the Railroad Museum of PA UPDATED 1/5/15 and the visitor center at Washington Crossing Historic Park will be open.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 10-24 is Mining History Week and the Museum is cooperating with various other regional institutions offering programs. For more information on events, visit the Facebook page, Public History at Wilkes University or this article in the Citizens' Voice [added 1/12/15]. Jan. 17: Knox Mine Disaster—this program looks at the events of Jan. 22, 1959, when the Susquehanna River flooded the mine at Port Griffith (Luzerne County), and explores the effects on the local community. Admission is free. (UPDATED 1/5/15 Snow date is Jan. 25.) 2 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Jan. 18: Fireside Tales—come to the Wayside Lodge for an old-fashioned storytelling session, a warm fire (but bring a blanket if it's really cold), and refreshments (more info in the Pottstown Post). The program is geared for children age 4-8 and their families. Suggested donation of $2 per child. 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Jan. 10: Something More Saturday—join storyteller Bill Stumpf as he brings to life the tall tales of the oil region's Gib Morgan. Included in regular admission. Special family rate of $20 for up to 2 adults and 3 children. 10 am-3 pm.

January is winding down, but there is still stuff to do. Watch for the February program listings next week.

Ephrata Cloister
Jan. 24: Young Curators of Our Community—Ephrata's curatorial and educational staff will answer questions about their work and teach attendees some of the basics of organizing, caring for, and exhibiting their own special collections. Program is recommended for pre-K through 8th grade; a parent or guardian must accompanying children. Cost is $6 for one adult and one child, $3 for each additional participant. Please register by Jan. 17; call 717/733-6600. 1-3 pm.
Jan. 29: Winter History Class—weekly sessions explore a variety of topics related to the Historic Ephrata Cloister and the world in which it existed. Classes continue each Thursday through March and conclude with a field trip on March 26. Cost is $50 ($40 for members of Ephrata Cloister Associates) with an additional fee for the field trip; or you can pick individual sessions at $8 each. Call 717/733-6600 for details or to register. 9 am-noon.

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Jan. 26: Storytime at the Maritime—enjoy a maritime-themed story, meet the guest reader, and tour the museum. Please contact Andrew at 814/452-2744 x225 or outreach@flagshipniagara.org to register. Event is free. 10 am.

Fort Pitt Museum
Jan. 31: Museum reopens—Fort Pitt is currently closed for routine maintenance and exhibit updates, but will reopen next Saturday.

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Jan. 31: Folk Art and Friendship Class—learn about tinsmithing and try your hand at making a simple project. Cost is $15. (More information, including a registration form and a list of upcoming classes, is on the website.) 1-3 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 28: Registration opens—as part of its celebration of Read Across America Day on March 7, the museum will offer "Breakfast with the Conductor and Catcher [the museum's mascot, Catcher the Cow]" as an add-on. Space is limited and reservations will be accepted starting Jan. 28.