Hold on to your hats, it's summer*

*Yes, I know, but it feels like summer. And Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, even if the solstice isn't for a few more weeks. Call it youthful (*cough*) exuberance. Anyway, I hope you and yours have a safe holiday weekend, don't get stranded in any traffic jams, and don't overindulge in s'mores or other grilled goodies. The May program listings have ideas for this weekend (I've highlighted a couple of things below as well) and the June listings are up, too.

Memorial Day

Most Trails of History sites are open on Monday, May 30, for Memorial Day, but it's always best to check the list to make sure the site you want to visit is on it.

Last weekend, the annual 28th Infantry Division Celebration of Service took place at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. A feature of this year's event was the dedication of a new monument honoring members of the 28th killed in action during the Global War on Terrorism (2001-present). WTAJ-tv covered the event, and you can watch their report to get a feel for the day (and some background on the museum itself). This weekend, PMM holds their annual World War II Revisited program, which features reenactors portraying military field life in the European Theater of Operations, 1944-45.

Washington Crossing Historic Park's annual Memorial Day observance is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, at 1 pm at the Continental soldiers' graves area near the Thompson-Neely House (upper park).

In Other News...

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is conducting a public survey as part of a multi-year planning effort. The survey doesn't take long to complete and will help to shape SHPO's efforts in coming years. If you'd like to contribute your thoughts about historic preservation as it affects your community, this link will take you to the survey. I'm not sure how long the survey will be open, so click now and be heard.

The Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation has a new website (same address, new look, easier navigation). Check it out!

Bushy Run's Spring Tea was a big success (photo courtesy Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society)

My thanks to the folks at Bushy Run for sending photos of their recent Spring Tea, which looks like it was a lovely event. In an interesting juxtaposition, reenactors portraying British soldiers who were encamped on site in honor of Armed Forces Day marched through the visitor center during the tea (there's video on Facebook, so it really happened).