On the Trails of History, Dec. 13, 2019 to Jan. 2, 2020

All sites on the Trails of History will be closed on Dec. 25 (except for Washington Crossing Historic Park) and Jan. 1. Please be aware that some sites may also adjust schedules on the days before or after the actual holiday. Some additional seasonal closures kick in during December, as well, and winter weather can be a factor. You may want to check ahead just to be sure. Better safe than sorry, as they say.

Hope Lodge will offer tours this Saturday while the mansion is decorated for Christmas; see listing below for details (photo via Facebook)

Drake Well Museum
Dec. 28: Something More Saturday—enjoy family-friendly activities and learning added to the museum's regular offerings – today’s focus is “Hands-on Oil Labs.” Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Dec. 26-29: Lantern Tours—explore Ephrata's immigration history with help from Student Historians and theatrical presentations throughout the grounds. Tours leave from the visitor center every half hour from 6:30 to 8 pm. Admission: $10 (adults), $9 (seniors), $7 (students), $5 (children); members receive a discount. Reservations are required and tickets do sell out; call 717/733-6600 to reserve your spot.

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

Hope Lodge
Dec. 14: Christmas Tours—guided tours of the mansion will be offered at 11:30 am, 1 and 2:30 pm. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served. Regular site admission applies. Site open 10 am-4 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Dec. 13: Holiday at Landis Valley Bonfire—caroling, a blazing bonfire, wagon rides, hot cider and cookies (details). And it’s free—Landis Valley’s gift to the community. Return the favor by bringing non-perishable food items to donate to the Lancaster Food Bank. 6-8:30 pm.
Dec. 14: Days of the Belsnickel—enjoy lunch along with holiday shopping, storytellers, dancing, and a visit with the Belsnickel (a PA German tradition). Reservations are required and can be made online, via email, or by phone (lunch details).
Dec. 15: Redware exhibit closes—today is the last day to enjoy Part 1 of Thrown, Fired, and Glazed. The exhibit will reopen on March 8, 2020, with a new selection of redware objects and information about Pennsylvania potters. Included in regular admission.
Dec. 27: Winter Day Camp—explore favorite holiday songs and literature with a fun-filled morning of activities (more info on the website. $35 per child, $30 per child for LVA members. Registration is required, and space is limited; call the museum's education department at 717/569-0401 x208. 8:30 am-12:30 pm.

Old Economy Village
Dec. 13 and 18: Home School Children’s Tours—families with young children (preschool through 3rd grade) are invited to enjoy a tour, craft activities, and a visit with Belsnickel (a PA German tradition). Cost is $5 per person. Registration is required by Dec. 6 – contact David Miller, davmiller@pa.gov or 724/266-4500 x110. 1-2:30 pm.
Dec. 14: Meet Belsnickel—if you’re not familiar with this PA German tradition, he’s much more grumpy than Santa. Visit with him anyway and enjoy seasonal crafts and brunch. Cost is $5 per person. Reservations are preferred – contact Chloe Thomas, c-chlthoma@pa.gov or 724/266-4500, x104. 11 am-1 pm.
Dec. 17: Holiday Concert—lyric baritone David Hodge will present a program of holiday music, accompanied by David Crisci and the Reverend Rodney Smith. Cost is $15 per person, and reservations are required (more info on the website). 6-9 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Dec. 14: Santa in the Shay—St. Nick will forgo his sleigh in favor of a geared locomotive as he listens to children's requests. Take a photo with Santa, make a simple ornament, browse unique gifts from local artisans and the museum store, and eat cookies (check website for details). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids; includes all activities plus the museum’s award-winning exhibit in the visitor center. Noon-3pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Dec. 14: Home for the Holidays—costumed railroaders and passengers representing the past century bring historic rail travel to life. Kids can visit with Santa or work with a telegrapher to send a Christmas telegram to the North Pole. Holiday music, refreshments (while supplies last), and shopping are part of the day too (lots more details). Included in regular admission. (There is an additional charge to attend “Christmas with the Conductor” parties; see program flyer for registration info). 9 am-5 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the planetarium webpage for info on shows and schedules.
Dec. 13: Learn at Lunchtime—learn more about the museum’s latest exhibit, Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919 (on view through April 26, 2020). Today’s event is a tour (included in regular admission) of the exhibit with curators Dr. Curt Miner and Amy Hammond (read more here). 12:15-12:45 pm.
Dec. 19: Curiosity Kids—children ages 3 to 6 (and their grown-ups) are invited to the Village Square for "An Old Fashioned Christmas." Included in general admission, but space is limited, so be sure to sign up at the admissions desk when you arrive. 11:30 am.
Dec. 30: Noon Year’s Celebration—the museum will have special Monday hours to ring in 2020 a little early. Check the website for all the details, including admission rates and timed tickets for the Planetarium and Curiosity Connection. 10 am-2 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the WCHP events page for details on the annual crossing and other events.