Please note that some site operating schedules start to "expand" in March, after seasonal winter closures or reductions. Be sure to check ahead before visiting. This schedule is subject to change. For events later in March, check the March program page.
Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour for the start of Daylight Saving Time, March 8 at 2 am. March 8 is also Charter Day - site schedules and activities are listed below.
Anthracite Heritage Museum
March 8: Charter Day —the museum will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. At 2 pm, PHMC Commissioner Bill Lewis, reporter David DeCosmo, and Mae Thomas, who is related to several Titanic passengers, will explore local connections to the famed ocean liner that sank in April of 1912.
Brandywine Battlefield Park
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm.
Bushy Run Battlefield
March 8: Charter Day —the site will be open, free of charge. There will be reenactor demonstrations, vendor booths, a basket raffle, and more from noon to 4 pm. Guides will available for tours of the battlefield from noon to 3. The visitor center and park will be open until 5.
Conrad Weiser Homestead
March 8: Charter Day—the site’s largest living history event of the year. Check the Facebook event page for details. Noon-4 pm.
Cornwall Iron Furnace
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm. Guides will be stationed throughout the site to provide info and answer questions (press release has details).
March 10: Friends Lecture Series—Susan Boardman, a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide, will present “Monuments of Gettysburg.” Lectures are held, free of charge, in Freeman Hall auditorium on the Buckingham Campus at Cornwall Manor. 7 pm.
Daniel Boone Homestead
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm. There will be 18th century music played on antique instruments, spinning, hearth cooking, and gun building demonstrations on site. The Boone house and other historic structures will
be open for tours. The Amity Colonial Dancers will being giving dancing demonstrations with audience participation welcomed. Kids can learn quill writing, be mustered into the Revolutionary War militia, play period games, and much more! Check out the Facebook event page for details.
Drake Well Museum and Park
March 5, 12: Wisdom and Wine Series—enjoy hors-d’oeuvres and wine tasting (featuring Brokenstraw Valley Winery) and learn about a variety of topics: Mar. 5, “Back to Nature,” Ernst Conservation Seeds; Mar. 12, “Hidden History,” Jessica Hilburn. Tickets sold at the door - cost is $10 per person for wine tasting and lecture, $5 for lecture only (calendar of events has details). Doors open at 5:30 pm, programs start at 6:30.
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm.
Eckley Miners’ Village
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. The gift shop will be open noon-4:30. The main parking lot may be blocked for construction, so please look for signs directing you where to enter the site and park.
Ephrata Cloister
March 5, 12: Winter History Class—class began in January, but you can still sign up for one or more of the remaining sessions (class schedule and topics.
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform in the Saal (meetinghouse) at 2, 3, and 4 pm. Visitors are also encouraged to bring a donation of paper towels; laundry detergent and cleaning products; canned fruit (low sugar); high protein items like canned tuna, canned chicken, peanut butter; cereal; jelly; snack items (boxes of crackers, peanut butter crackers, etc.); canned soup for Ephrata Area Social Services.
Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
March 8: Charter Day—the museum will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. Tour the Commonwealth’s Flagship, explore the museum’s exhibits, and visit the Hirt Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. for "Silkies, Sailors, and Lady Pirates," a concert by folklorist Kelly Armor of songs about women on the water. There will also be a new exhibit on the Lake Erie Sea Monster and special sea monster scavenger hunt. Visit the Facebook event page for details.
Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on this month's schedule and programs.
Graeme Park
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm. Tours of the Keith House will be offered (last admission to house is at 3:15).
Hope Lodge
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-3 pm.
Joseph Priestley House
March 8: Charter Day and Dr. Priestley’s Birthday—visit with costumed docents in each room (including the laboratory) and wish Dr. Priestley a happy birthday while he demonstrates the wonders of chemistry in the Pond Building. Try “Dr. Priestley’s Fizzy
Water” (produced in NY state – I like the Cucumber Mint flavor) and visit the “When Pigs Fly” food truck.1-4 pm (chem demos at 1:30 and 2:30).
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Multiple dates: Winter-Spring Workshops for Adults—Landis Valley offers an array of workshops and classes for adults who want to learn new skills and information. Please visit the website (for class list and registration details).
March 4, 11: Homeschool Classes—different topics and activities for each date; visit website for details and registration. 9 am-12:30 pm.
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. Part 2 of LVM's latest exhibit, Thrown, Fired, and Glazed: The Redware Tradition from Pennsylvania and Beyond, will open to the public (runs through Dec. 2020).
Old Economy Village
March 8: Charter Day—kicking off our 2020 season, the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm.
Pennsbury Manor
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, 1-4 pm.
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
March 8: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, 9 am-5 pm. Guided tours of the site will be offered.
Pennsylvania Military Museum
March 7-8: Charter Day Weekend Celebration—the museum will offer guided tours and hands-on history stations, with free admission, on Saturday (10 am-4 pm) and Sunday (noon-4 pm). The Friends Lecture Series will offer a program at 2 pm on Sunday.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
March 7: Reading on the Rails—enjoy stories about trains, railroads, and amazing people, places, and things, read by a host of local notables (info on readers and story times on website). Children will receive stickers at each story-reading to decorate a cardboard suitcase. Catcher, the museum’s friendly mascot, teams from Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services (KPETS), and an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be part of the program. The Bookmobile from the Library System of Lancaster County will be on site as well (Lancaster County residents age 5 and over may sign up for a library card). All activities are included in regular admission. 9 am-5 pm.
March 8: Charter Day—the museum is open, free of charge, noon-5 pm.
State Museum of Pennsylvania
Visit the website for a complete schedule of Planetarium shows.
Feb. 28: Learn at Lunch—RESCHEDULED FROM FEB. 21: Jason Wilson, historian for the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, will lead a tour of Violet Oakley’s Senate Chamber murals, discussing their history and preservation (details on the website). Participants should meet at the Third Street entrance to the PA Capitol Building (if you don’t have a Commonwealth of PA id badge, you’ll need to go through security, so please gauge your time accordingly). 12:15-12:45 pm.
March 5: Curiosity Kids series—this month's program is "Feed the Birds!" and participants will make a feeder to take home (program details, including a nut allergy warning). Included in general admission, but space is limited so be sure to sign up at the front desk. 11:30 am.
March 6: Storytime—gather in the Anthropology and Archaeology Gallery to read Ruth Brown’s Ten Seeds and take a packet of sunflower seeds to sprout. Designed for ages 3-5 with an adult. Included in general admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
March 6: Learn at Lunchtime—Megan Evans and Darrill Ersery of the Pennsylvania State Archives will talk about the Gradual Abolition of Slavery Act of 1780, which is being displayed alongside Pennsylvania’s 1681 Charter this year. Included in general admission. 12:15-12:45 pm.
March 7-April 26: Celebrating Student Achievement—the museum will host three exhibits highlighting Pennsylvania students: South Central PA Scholastic Art Awards, National History Day in PA, and Future City Competition (see website for details). Included in general admission.
March 8: Charter Day—the museum will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm (schedule of activities).
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please check the website for information on events and programs.
On the Trails of History, February 14-27
Many sites are on adjusted winter schedules, and February is notorious for bad weather, so it is advisable to check ahead before planning a visit. Most Trails of History sites will be closed on February 17 for Presidents Day; I’ve noted exceptions below where I have info.
Bushy Run Battlefield
Feb. 22-23: Make an 18th-Century Shift—this 2-day workshop will explore women’s shifts from 1760 to 1800, including examining an extant shift ca. 1790-1800 and a reproduction 1770s shift. Some experience is necessary—participants should be confident in their hand-sewing skills, including running stitch, backstitch, buttonhole stitch, and felling stitch. Additional details on the Facebook event page. Cost is $180 and includes all materials, catered lunch, and snacks both days. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., 9 am-3 pm.
Ephrata Cloister
Feb. 20, 27: Winter History Class—each Thursday morning participants in the Winter History Class learn about the history of the celibate brothers and sisters, the world they lived in, and the work of preserving the collections and buildings. Sign up for the series or for individual dates (visit website for session details and cost). Contact the site at 717/733-6600 to register. Class continues through March.
Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on any events and programs happening this month. Fort Pitt Museum is open on Presidents Day, Feb. 17.
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Winter/Spring Workshops—February brings learning opportunities, including craft and trade classes, lectures, and classes offered by the Heirloom Seed Project. Schedules and costs vary. The full list of classes through April is on the website, along with registration info.
Homeschool Classes—this year marks the 10th anniversary of Landis Valley’s homeschool program. On six Wednesdays in February through mid-March, the site offers a series of classes designed for homeschool groups. Each week has a different focus and activities. Sign up for all or some, depending on your schedule and interest (full details are on the website). 9 am-12:30 pm.
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Feb. 14-16: Snow-mobility Weekend—ride your snowmobile to the museum all weekend-long. Cross-country ski/ hike to the museum on Saturday (Feb. 15) for a Pancake Breakfast (9:30 am-1:30 pm). (Cross-country ski trek will meet at Susquehannock State Forest District HQ on Route 6, 4 miles west of the museum at the top of Denton Hill. Please be there no later than 9 am. They will have cross country skis to borrow. Call 814/274-3600 for more info.) Documentaries will be shown in the program room during breakfast. Check out the Facebook event for updates and details.
Pennsylvania Military Museum
Feb. 23: Lecture/Movie—today’s event is focused on Iwo Jima; visit the museum’s calendar of events for updated info. 2-3 pm.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Feb. 17: Presidents Day—the museum is open today, 9 am-5 pm (otherwise closed on Mondays through March).
State Museum of Pennsylvania
Planetarium Shows—check the State Museum website for schedule and program descriptions.
Feb. 16: Exhibit Tour—join Dr. Curt Miner and Amy Hammond for a curatorial tour of Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919 (more info on the website). Included in regular admission. 2-3 pm.
Feb. 21: Learn at Lunch—Jason Wilson, historian for the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, will lead a tour of Violet Oakley’s Senate Chamber murals, discussing their history and preservation (details on the website). Participants should meet at the Third Street entrance to the PA Capitol Building (if you don’t have a Commonwealth of PA id badge, you’ll need to go through security, so please gauge your time accordingly). 12:15-12:45 pm.
Feb. 27: Nature Lab—learn about Pennsylvania’s Wild Cats, native bobcats and cougars. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am-noon.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for operating schedules and info on events and programs happening this month. Washington Crossing will be open on Feb. 17 for Presidents Day.
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| Celebrate winter this weekend at the PA Lumber Museum - see details below (photo via Facebook) |
Feb. 22-23: Make an 18th-Century Shift—this 2-day workshop will explore women’s shifts from 1760 to 1800, including examining an extant shift ca. 1790-1800 and a reproduction 1770s shift. Some experience is necessary—participants should be confident in their hand-sewing skills, including running stitch, backstitch, buttonhole stitch, and felling stitch. Additional details on the Facebook event page. Cost is $180 and includes all materials, catered lunch, and snacks both days. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., 9 am-3 pm.
Ephrata Cloister
Feb. 20, 27: Winter History Class—each Thursday morning participants in the Winter History Class learn about the history of the celibate brothers and sisters, the world they lived in, and the work of preserving the collections and buildings. Sign up for the series or for individual dates (visit website for session details and cost). Contact the site at 717/733-6600 to register. Class continues through March.
Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on any events and programs happening this month. Fort Pitt Museum is open on Presidents Day, Feb. 17.
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Winter/Spring Workshops—February brings learning opportunities, including craft and trade classes, lectures, and classes offered by the Heirloom Seed Project. Schedules and costs vary. The full list of classes through April is on the website, along with registration info.
Homeschool Classes—this year marks the 10th anniversary of Landis Valley’s homeschool program. On six Wednesdays in February through mid-March, the site offers a series of classes designed for homeschool groups. Each week has a different focus and activities. Sign up for all or some, depending on your schedule and interest (full details are on the website). 9 am-12:30 pm.
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Feb. 14-16: Snow-mobility Weekend—ride your snowmobile to the museum all weekend-long. Cross-country ski/ hike to the museum on Saturday (Feb. 15) for a Pancake Breakfast (9:30 am-1:30 pm). (Cross-country ski trek will meet at Susquehannock State Forest District HQ on Route 6, 4 miles west of the museum at the top of Denton Hill. Please be there no later than 9 am. They will have cross country skis to borrow. Call 814/274-3600 for more info.) Documentaries will be shown in the program room during breakfast. Check out the Facebook event for updates and details.
Pennsylvania Military Museum
Feb. 23: Lecture/Movie—today’s event is focused on Iwo Jima; visit the museum’s calendar of events for updated info. 2-3 pm.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Feb. 17: Presidents Day—the museum is open today, 9 am-5 pm (otherwise closed on Mondays through March).
State Museum of Pennsylvania
Planetarium Shows—check the State Museum website for schedule and program descriptions.
Feb. 16: Exhibit Tour—join Dr. Curt Miner and Amy Hammond for a curatorial tour of Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919 (more info on the website). Included in regular admission. 2-3 pm.
Feb. 21: Learn at Lunch—Jason Wilson, historian for the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, will lead a tour of Violet Oakley’s Senate Chamber murals, discussing their history and preservation (details on the website). Participants should meet at the Third Street entrance to the PA Capitol Building (if you don’t have a Commonwealth of PA id badge, you’ll need to go through security, so please gauge your time accordingly). 12:15-12:45 pm.
Feb. 27: Nature Lab—learn about Pennsylvania’s Wild Cats, native bobcats and cougars. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am-noon.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for operating schedules and info on events and programs happening this month. Washington Crossing will be open on Feb. 17 for Presidents Day.
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