On the Trails of History, Nov. 15-Dec. 1

This post will take you through the end of November, with just the merest smidgen of December (due to Thanksgiving and its ancillary festivities). The December program page is now available for those that like to plan ahead.

All Trails of History sites will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. Sites open on the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) are noted below. Winter weather can sometimes play havoc with schedules, so it’s usually best to check with the site you plan to visit if you think there’s a chance of changes (seasonal schedule changes will be in effect at some sites as well).


Man in white shirt works with hammer on anvil in blacksmith shop
Learn about the art of blacksmithing at Old Economy Village Nov. 16 (details below)
Brandywine Battlefield Park
Nov. 30: Patriot’s Day—living history demonstrations, musket drills, blacksmith, house tours, and 18th-century medical "experts"--lots of activities for all ages. 10 am-4 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Nov. 23: Candlelight Tours—this annual program features living history, 18th-century music, and a chance to see the site by night. 5:30-8 pm.
Dec. 1: Christmas Open House—enjoy one last chance to visit the homestead in 2019 (site will be open by appointment only until Charter Day in March). The Visitor Center Bookstore will be open and books will be marked down 10% (more details on the Facebook event page). Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted. Noon-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Nov. 30: Something More Saturday—today’s event is “Radio Santa,” inviting kids to speak with the big guy at the North Pole via radio. There will also be holiday craft projects and other family-friendly activities (details on Facebook). Included in regular admission. Site open 9 am-5 pm; special programming, Noon-4 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Nov. 30: Candlelight Open House—spend a lovely evening exploring the Ephrata Cloister, with music, craftspeople, and more (info on website). Cost is $6 per person (ages 3 and older). 5-8:30 pm.
Dec. 1: Museum Store Sunday—the museum store will offer a shop-wide sale and free gifts with your purchase, which supports the site and its activities. 9 am-5 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on holiday schedules and programs.

Graeme Park
Nov. 30: Christmas in the Colonies—candlelight tours of the Keith House, where the Tapestry Dancers and costumed interpreters will illustrate Christmas and other winter holidays as the Graemes might have known them. Refreshments will be served. Tours will start approximately every 20 minutes from 4 to 6:20 pm. Craft vendors will be on hand for Small Business Saturday, from 3-6 pm (details on the website). Cost is $5 per person for tours.
Dec. 1: Museum Store Sunday—skip the mall crowds and support a historic site. Free DIY gift wrap station for purchases made in the museum store on Small Business Saturday (11/30) or Museum Store Sunday. Noon-4 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Throughout the month: Fall Workshops—check the website for course descriptions and registration info.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Museum Store Shop Local Open House and Museum Store Sunday—shop for locally handmade art, crafts and heirloom-quality gifts and enjoy holiday decorations in the museum store. Museum Store events are free; regular rates apply for museum admission. 9 am-5 pm both days (site opens at noon on Sunday).

Old Economy Village
November 16, 23, 30: Saturday Spotlight Programs—something different every week. Nov. 16 - The Art of Blacksmithing; Nov. 23 - Meet the Gardeners; Nov. 30 - 19th-Century Trades and Crafts. Included in regular admission, so please begin at the Visitor Center. 10 am-5 pm..

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Nov. 16: Walk and Talk—get a sneak preview of the new orientation video for the Webber Cabin and accompany Jim Hyland (from Tioga State Forest) on a short walk from the visitor center to the cabin for a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s newest exhibit building (more info on the Facebook event page). Included in regular admission. 1 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Nov. 17: Lecture—museum educator and former Navy Petty Officer Joe Horvath will present "This was NO Love Boat," based on his experiences aboard the SARATOGA during its 1984 Mediterranean cruise as part of the 6th Fleet (details on the website). 2-3 pm.
Nov. 23: Kids Day - Dress Up and Discover!!—try on field gear and head gear from the museum education collection. Visit the education stations in the galleries for more discoveries throughout the day. Parents must remain on-site while their kids participate in the activities. Included in regular admission. 10:00 am-3:00 pm.
Dec. 1: Hürtgen: A Visual Journey—writer/director Mark A. Frederick of Brush Mountain Media will discuss the history and inspiration behind his short independent film on this little-known battle between Germans and Americans during World War II. Included in regular admission. 2-3 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Nov. 29: Day After Thanksgiving—site open 9 am-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Dec. 1: Ethnic Traditions—each year Somerset Historical Center brings together local families from diverse cultural backgrounds to present an evening of food, music, and other traditions. This year’s menu includes foods from Pennsylvania German, Italian, Thai, and Mexican traditions. Cost is $20 for one ticket, $35 for two. Reservations are a must, and space is limited. Info on reserving your spot is on the website. 5:30 pm at Friedens Lutheran Church, Friedens, PA.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the Planetarium page for a full schedule of shows.
Nov. 21: Nature Lab—learn about Wild Canines. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.
Nov. 21-22: Holiday Marketplace and Exhibit Opening—shop the Trails of History with representatives from numerous PHMC sites (details). Takes place in the museum’s Village Square. Hours are Thursday, 10 am to 3 pm, and Friday, 10 am to 7 pm. On Nov. 22, catch the opening of a new exhibit, Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919 from 3 to 7 pm (refreshments starting at 5).
Dec. 1: Museum Store Sunday—the State Museum Store (on the ground floor near the Third Street entrance) will hold a storewide sale today. Noon-4 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for details on this month's schedule and programs.

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