Happy Holidays!

The withdrawing room at Pennsbury Manor set to receive guests during Holly Nights earlier this month (photo via Pennsbury Facebook page)

All sites on the Trails of History (well, except Washington Crossing, which is run by DCNR) will be closed this Saturday, Dec. 25, and next Saturday, Jan. 1. Most of our sites will also be closed tomorrow, Dec. 24, and next Friday, Dec. 31. Many will be closing early today (12/23) and on 12/30. Exceptions are: Fort Pitt Museum and Somerset Historical Center will be open regular hours on Dec. 24 and 31, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be open 9 am to 1 pm those days. Here are some other holiday schedules that I'm aware of:

• Bushy Run Battlefield will be closed through Jan. 7, then open Saturdays and Sundays until spring
• In addition to the holiday schedules noted above, Old Economy Village will be closed from Jan. 2 through mid-March
• Graeme Park will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 6, reopening for tours on Friday, Jan. 7
• ADDED 12/28: After tomorrow, 12/29, Pennsbury Manor will be closed until March
• ADDED 12/28: Starting 1/1, Fort Pitt Museum will be closed for routine maintenance and exhibit updates until 2/1
• ADDED 1/4: Anthracite Heritage Museum will be closed during January and February, reopening on March 4
• Already closed until spring: Conrad Weiser Homestead, Daniel Boone Homestead, Hope Lodge, Joseph Priestley House (except for Twelfth Night event Jan. 9)

Be sure to check specific sites that you want to visit and remember that some are on reduced schedules for the next few months.

Ho, ho, ho!

Trailheads will be on hiatus for the next week or so. The next new post will appear on Friday, January 7. In the meantime, I've included information below on upcoming programs through January 6. As always, please be sure to check that there have been no schedule changes, as I will not be making updates to the post. However you are celebrating I hope that you have plenty of light, laughter, and warmth. May we all look forward to good health, time with the people we love, and lots of ways to learn--and learn from--history in 2022.

Cookies offered at the opening reception for Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's multi-year redware exhibit, which just wrapped up its successful run

During the week ahead, I hope you have some chances for fun and relaxation. For those of you who enjoy digital puzzles, I've created four new ones on Jigsaw Planet using photos from visits to sites on the Trails of History. You can find them by visiting the Trailheads Rec Room to the right of your screen if you scroll back up to the top of the blog, along with lots of other content from Trails of History sites. And here's a shortcut:

• Eckley Miners' Village Garden
• Ephrata Cloister - Hawk on a Fence
• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Redware Cookies
• Old Economy Village Baker House Garden

And finally, I leave you with some music from the Ephrata Cloister Chorus, recorded back in 2009 during Christmas at the Cloister and shared on Ephrata's YouTube channel.

The Weeks Ahead

Today, December 23

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): discover holiday traditions, decorations and toys from the 1950s and 60s; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Curiosity Kids info)

Monday, December 27

• Lantern Tours (in-person): tonight through Dec. 30 this year's program revolves around taxes and acts of resistance; Ephrata Cloister; tours start at 6:15 and leave the visitor center every 15 minutes; tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance by calling the site at 717/733-6600 (Lantern Tour info)

Wednesday, December 29

• UPDATE 12/29: This event has been cancelled. Explore! (in-person): explore PA New Year's traditions, create your own noisemaker, and help count down to 2022; The State Museum of PA: 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Explore! info)

Sunday, January 2

• Artists Conversations Gallery Tour (in-person): take a casual tour of the Art of the State exhibition on its last day with artist Stephen Althouse and fine arts curator Amy Hammond; The State Museum of PA; 2-3 pm; included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info)

Wednesday, January 5

• Explore! (in-person): learn about owls in Pennsylvania; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, January 6

• Giant PA Map (in-person): discover our state and test your geography skills; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; included in regular admission (Giant Map info)

On Sale Now

• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 2022, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options, including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

Festive History

A festive Christmas pudding at Daniel Boone Homestead's event last weekend (photo via DBH Facebook page)

 
The past couple of weeks have been filled with holiday programming on the Trails of History. There seems to have been plenty of pent-up demand after last Christmas season when everything was cancelled or online (although I would like to note that Ephrata Cloister received a Leadership in History award from the American Association for State and Local History for their 2020 virtual holiday pivot). The chance to see historic sites by candle and lantern light has been a tremendous draw, and a lack of serious winter weather has helped attendance. There are still some in-person and virtual holiday programs to come, so please check out the listings below. As always, it's a good idea to check ahead by visiting websites and Facebook pages to be sure there's been no change in plans. Trailheads staff (that is, me) will be away from Dec. 23 through the new year, so the info below likely won't get updated. Please see below for information on site schedules during the coming weeks.

This year, Christmas at the Cloister was presented in person (photo via EC Facebook page)

All sites on the Trails of History (well, except Washington Crossing, which is run by DCNR) will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Most of our sites will also be closed on Dec. 24 and 31; Fort Pitt Museum and Somerset Historical Center will be open on both "eves," and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be open 9 am to 1 pm those days. Here are some other holiday schedules that I'm aware of:

• Bushy Run Battlefield will be closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 7, then open Saturdays and Sundays only until spring
• Daniel Boone Homestead will be closed from Dec. 20 through March 13 (Charter Day)
• Old Economy Village will be closed from Jan. 1 through March 13 (Charter Day)
• Graeme Park will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 6
• Already closed until spring: Conrad Weiser Homestead, Hope Lodge, Joseph Priestley House (except for Twelfth Night event Jan. 9)

Be sure to check specific sites that you want to visit and remember that some are on reduced schedules for the next few months.

The parlor of the George Rapp House at Old Economy Village (photo via OEV Facebook page)

The Week Ahead

Saturday, December 18

• StoryTime (in-person): read An Early American Christmas by Tomie dePaola; The State Museum of PA; 10:30-11:30 am; for kids ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Meet Belsnickel (in-person): meet the grumpy, fur-clad version of Santa Claus familiar in PA German culture; Old Economy Village; 11 am-1 pm; cost is $5 per person (child or adult), and snacks are included (Meet Belsnickel info)

Tuesday, December 21

• Exploring PA German Christmas and New Year's Traditions (virtual): Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 7-8 pm; program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Virtual Program info and registration)

Wednesday, December 22

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the changing of Fall to Winter and how it affects plants and animals in PA; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Explore! info)

Thursday, December 23

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): discover holiday traditions, decorations and toys from the 1950s and 60s; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Curiosity Kids info)

On Sale Now (as of 12/15; some programs will sell out)

• Lantern Tours: Dec. 27-30 at Ephrata Cloister learn about the site's history through living history tours and performances; advance tickets required (Lantern Tour info)
• Winter Day Camp: on Dec. 29 from 9 am to 4:30 pm Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will present a day camp for kids in grades 5-11; the focus is Christmas Around the World and includes a themed escape room; cost is $60 per camper ($54 for members); Dec. 17 is the last day to register (Day Camp info and registration)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 2022, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options, including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

Something for Everyone?

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Home for the Holidays continues this Saturday at the Railroad Museum of PA (photo via RMP Facebook page)

If you're still in the market for gifts for the people in your life, don't forget to check in with your favorite Trails of History sites to see what their museum stores have to offer. Visit their website or Facebook page for info; some have online ordering available. Please be aware that operating hours vary, so you'll need to check before venturing out. Your purchases support educational programs and offerings at our sites and museums. A gift membership to any site or to the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation is also a great way to support sites and treat history lovers to visits during the coming year. And they're never the wrong size.

The Week Ahead

Today, December 10

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): Chris Kemmerer from the Bureau of State Parks will talk about owls that live in and migrate through PA; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm (Learn at Lunchtime registration)
• Holiday Bonfire (in-person): musical entertainment, free refreshments, and a bonfire; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 6-8 pm, formal program starts at 7; event is free, LVM will be accepting donations of canned and other non-perishable food items for Lancaster Food Bank (Holiday Bonfire info)

Saturday, December 11

• Home for the Holidays (in-person): explore bygone eras, visit with Santa and send a telegram to the North Pole, and enjoy festive decorations and music; Railroad Museum of PA; 10 am-4 pm; included in regular admission (Home for the Holidays info)
• Holidays at the Homestead (in-person): discover PA German and English traditions, listen to carolers, make a paper ornament, and visit with Belsnickel; Daniel Boone Homestead; 11 am-4 pm, Belsnickel 1-3 pm (Holidays at the Homestead info)
• Holidays at Hope Lodge (in-person): enjoy the decorated rooms at your own pace, listen to holiday music, and more; Hope Lodge; 11 am-5 pm; regular admission charged, age 21+ can sample craft beers for an additional fee (Holidays at Hope Lodge info)
• Santa in the Shay (in-person): visit Santa in the cab of the Shay locomotive, take an instant pic to make an ornament, and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa; PA Lumber Museum; noon-3 pm; cost is $5 for adults, $3 for kids (Santa in the Shay info)

Sunday, December 12

• Christmas Sale (in-person): local vendors with a wide variety of wares will be on hand; Bushy Run Battlefield; 10 am-3 pm (Christmas Sale info)

Tuesday, December 14

• The Railroads of Cornwall (virtual): Mark Cain will present a program on the history of railroads in the Cornwall area and site administrator Mike Emery will facilitate a brief discussion; Cornwall Iron Furnace; 7-8 pm (Railroads at Cornwall info)
• A History of Manheim Township (virtual): Manheim Twp Historical Society president Ben Webber will present a talk on the township where the museum is located; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 7-8 pm (LVM virtual program info and registration)
• Christmas at the Cloister (in-person): a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse; Ephrata Cloister; performances at 8 tonight (as of 2 pm 12/8 all others sold out); advance tickets required (Christmas at the Cloister info and ticket availability)

Wednesday, December 15

• Explore! (in-person): learn about textiles in early PA and create your own design; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Explore! info)

Thursday, December 16

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about dinosaurs, when they lived, and some of their unusual adaptations; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Curiosity Kids info)
• PA History: Read It, See It (virtual): make a virtual visit to the Pennsylvania Military Museum and hear from State Library staff about related books and collections; noon-1 pm; email RA-edmakerspace@pa.gov with your name and date/topic to receive the meeting invitation

On Sale Now (as of 12/8; some programs will sell out)

• Lantern Tours: Dec. 27-30 at Ephrata Cloister learn about the site's history through living history tours and performances; advance tickets required, on sale starting Dec. 1 (Lantern Tour info)
• Winter Day Camp: on Dec. 29 from 9 am to 4:30 pm Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will present a day camp for kids in grades 5-11; the focus is Christmas Around the World and includes a themed escape room; cost is $60 per camper ($54 for members) (Day Camp info and registration)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 2022, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options, including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

The USS Pennsylvania

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Two 66-ton guns from the USS Pennsylvania were installed at the PA Military Museum in 2009 (photo PA Military Museum)

On Tuesday, December 7, at 12:45 pm, the Pennsylvania Military Museum will host a remembrance ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Japanese Imperial Navy's attack on the American military installation at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. This annual event takes place beneath the museum's two massive guns from the USS Pennsylvania (official designation: BB-38) that were installed on the grounds in 2009 after years spent at a US Navy facility in Dahlgren, Virginia. Bringing the guns to Boalsburg was a long-term effort, led by the Friends of the PA Military Museum and museum staff. Recently, the mount for the guns was overhauled, and the museum posted about it on their Facebook page (Pennsy gun post on Facebook).

You can learn more about the Pennsy Guns and the PA Military Museum by tuning in to PA History: Read It, See It at noon on December 16. This program is a collaboration between PHMC and the State Library of Pennsylvania that provides a brief virtual visit to a Trails of History site and info on related library materials. To sign up for Dec. 16, send an email to ra-edmakerspace@pa.gov with your name and the date/topic of the event. They'll add you to the list to receive a Zoom link closer to the program date (catch up with previous PA History: Read It, See It programs).

The designation "USS Pennsylvania" refers to multiple ships. As is tradition in the U.S. Navy, names are reused for different generations of ships as time passes. The first USS Pennsylvania launched in 1837, and the current holder of the name is SSBN-735, a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine launched in 1988. The ship (BB-38) where the museum's guns saw action launched in 1915, saw service in two world wars, and was sunk during atomic bomb testing in 1948. There is some newsreel footage of BB-38 undergoing maintenance at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1930 that shows 14-inch guns like those at the museum being added to the ship's armament (could be the actual guns, but it's probably not possible to tell from the film). Tip of the hat to Charlie Fox for the link to the Fox Movietone News Collection at the Univ. of South Carolina (USS Pennsylvania Gets New Set of Guns).

One of Hope Lodge's colonial revival rooms decorated for Christmas (photo via HL Facebook page)

The Week Ahead

Today, December 3

• StoryTime (in-person): read An Early American Christmas by Tomie dePaola; The State Museum of PA; 10:30-11:30 am; for kids ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): curator Amy Hammond talks with Lauren Whearty and Kelly Kautz, whose works are included in the 2021 Art of the State exhibition; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm (register for Learn at Lunchtime)

Saturday, December 4

• Christmas Open House (in-person): guided tours of the furnace, unique gifts and gift wrapping, holiday decorations, and light seasonal refreshments; Cornwall Iron Furnace; 9 am-7 pm; included in regular admission (Open House info)
• Home for the Holidays (in-person): costumed staff will evoke the past, you can have a virtual visit with Santa, send a telegram to the North Pole, and enjoy festive decorations and music; The Railroad Museum of PA; 10 am-4 pm (also takes place on Dec. 11); included in regular admission (Home for the Holidays info)
• Holiday Mansion Tours (in-person): guided tours of the mansion decorated for the season; Hope Lodge; tours at 11:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm; regular admission charged, but today it includes cookies and hot chocolate (Mansion Tours info)

Saturday and Sunday, December 4 and 5

• Christmas at Eckley (in-person): carolers and cocoa, crafts and St. Nick; Eckley Miners' Village; 10 am-4 pm both days; admission is $7, $1 discount with food pantry donation (Christmas at Eckley info)
• Staying Warm in the Ardennes: Battle of the Bulge (in-person): living historians will be encamped from 10 am to 4 pm near the Sherman Tank both days, lecture at 2:30 pm Saturday on Major Dick Winters; Pennsylvania Military Museum; Battle of the Bulge events are free, regular admission applies to tour the museum galleries (PMM event info)
• Christmas at the Village (in-person): visit the historic buildings to learn about 19th-century trades and traditions, listen to music, shop for handcrafted items, and visit with Belsnickel; Old Economy Village; Saturday 2-9 pm, Sunday 2-7 pm; regular admission charged (Christmas at the Village info)

Sunday, December 5

• Christmas Open House (in-person): living historians will be on site for this festive event; Conrad Weiser Homestead; noon-4 pm (Open House info)
• Children's Christmas Party (in-person): children ages 5-12 are invited for an afternoon of games, crafts, and a visit with Santa; Bushy Run Battlefield; 1-3 pm; cost is $5 (Christmas Party info)
• Artists Conversations Gallery Tour (in-person): artist Harold Zabady will lead a casual tour of the 2021 Art of the State exhibition; The State Museum of PA; 2-3 pm; included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info)

Wednesday, December 8

• Explore! (in-person): learn about ways to make art from items in nature; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, December 9

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about firetrucks and the history of firefighting in Pennsylvania; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited so be sure to sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)

On Sale Now (as of 12/1; some programs will sell out)

• Christmas at the Cloister: Ephrata Cloister presents a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse, with performances at 6:30 and 8 pm. Tickets available online for Dec. 14 (Dec. 13 sold out) via Ticketleap (Christmas at the Cloister info and tickets).
• Lantern Tours: Dec. 27-30 at Ephrata Cloister learn about the site's history through living history tours and performances; advance tickets required, on sale starting Dec. 1 (Lantern Tour info)
• Winter Day Camp: on Dec. 29 from 9 am to 4:30 pm Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will present a day camp for kids in grades 5-11; the focus is Christmas Around the World and includes a themed escape room; cost is $60 per camper ($54 for members) (Day Camp info and registration)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 2022, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options, including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

What Now?

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

You can tour buildings at Ephrata Cloister by candlelight tomorrow night, Nov. 27 (photo via Ephrata Facebook page)

I hope that you had a pleasant and safe Thanksgiving with plenty of whatever you needed from the occasion. If you are looking for things to do today (Nov. 26), please note that most Trails of History sites are closed. Bushy Run Battlefield, Fort Pitt Museum, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania are open today. Other sites on the trails will resume their normal seasonal hours tomorrow (except the Erie Maritime Museum, which will be closed). As I always say, please be sure to check ahead to be sure the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there. I've noted some events below that take place this weekend.

As you probably know Nov. 27 is Small Business Saturday, and Nov. 28 is Museum Store Sunday. Historic sites and museums can always use your support, so please consider visiting and shopping on the Trails of History this weekend. Bushy Run Battlefield is holding a Used Book Sale today through Sunday, and Somerset Historical Center's Christmas Craft Shoppe, featuring handmade items by local vendors, will be open Wednesday to Saturday (starting tomorrow) through December 23. Our other museum stores have loads of themed and seasonal merchandise for your gift-giving needs (no one will tell if you keep them for yourself, either).

Do your interests run more to the spirit of #OptOutside? Many sites have beautiful grounds and/or trails that can provide plenty of fresh air; others are adjacent to or very close to state parks and forests (please note this safety reminder from the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources).

If family history (in PA) was a topic of history around your Thanksgiving table, you can follow-up with some research using resources digitized by the Pennsylvania State Archives. From birth and death records indices to military service records and more, plus links to other digital records collections, the Archives is a great place to start your search(Digital Collections page).

The Week Ahead

Saturday, Nov. 27

• Christmas in the Colonies (in-person): explore different traditions as you tour the Keith House and watch the Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble; Graeme Park; 3-5 pm; tickets are $10 for ages 13 and up, $7 for members and ages 6-12 (Graeme Park info)
• Candlelight Open House (in-person): stroll the grounds, visit with craftspeople, and enjoy music performed by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus; Ephrata Cloister; 5:30-8 pm; tickets are $7 (Open House info)

Sunday, Nov. 28

• Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person): bring your projects and spend time with other stitchers; Bushy Run Battlefield; 1-4 pm (Sewing Circle info)

Monday, Nov. 29

• Deadline to order Gingerbread Cookie Kits for pick-up at the Railroad Museum of PA on Dec. 4, 10, or 11 (Gingerbread Cookie Kit orders)
• Deadline for reservations for Christmas with the Conductor, Dec. 4 and 11 (11 am story time is sold out), Railroad Museum of PA (Christmas with the Conductor tickets via Eventbrite)

Wednesday, Dec. 1

• Explore! (in-person): learn about Pennsylvania owls and their habits; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)
• Deadline for required advance tickets for Pennsbury Manor's Holly Nights, which takes place Dec. 2 and 3, 6-9 pm (Holly Nights info and tickets)

Thursday, Dec. 2

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): visit the Art of the State exhibition to learn about how artists use color; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)

On Sale Now (as of 11/24; some programs will sell out)

• Ethnic Traditions: on Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Somerset Historical Center will partner with local families for a program on cultural traditions, food, and music of Japan, Italy, and Bangladesh; cost is $20 per person (Ethnic Traditions ticket info)
• Christmas at the Cloister: Ephrata Cloister presents a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse on Dec. 13 and 14, with performances at 6:30 and 8 pm each evening. Tickets available online via Ticketleap (Christmas at the Cloister info and tickets).
• Lantern Tours: Dec. 27-30 at Ephrata Cloister learn about the site's history through living history tours and performances; advance tickets required, on sale starting Dec. 1 (Lantern Tour info)
• Winter Day Camp: on Dec. 29 from 9 am to 4:30 pm Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will present a day camp for kids in grades 5-11; the focus is Christmas Around the World and includes a themed escape room; cost is $60 per camper ($54 for members) (Day Camp info and registration)

Thanksgiving Awaits

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Conrad Weiser Homestead's Candlelight Tours take place tomorrow (see info below)

The next Trailheads post won't be until next Friday, so I'll take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. I hope that you have found many things to be thankful for this year and that you will have the chance to share time with family and friends. I am thankful for my husband and all of my family and am grateful that we have weathered the pandemic fairly well so far, although many of the young adult generation battled Covid cases in 2020 and 2021. I am grateful, as always, for the work that my colleagues here at PHMC are doing to share the rich and complicated history of Pennsylvania with the public and to explore ways to improve everyone's access to that history. The flexibility, creativity, and perseverance of our staff and volunteers are a source of inspiration for me. I say "thank you" to them and to all of you for reading Trailheads.

All Pennsylvania Trails of History sites and museums will be closed on Nov. 25 for Thanksgiving. Most will also be closed on Friday, Nov. 26; Bushy Run Battlefield, Fort Pitt Museum, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open that day. Everyone else will resume their current operating hours on Saturday, Nov. 27; please see the list below for some special programs as well. When you're making plans to the holiday weekend, please remember your favorite Trails of History sites on Small Business Saturday and Museum Store Sunday.

If you're interested in new approaches to the traditional Thanksgiving narrative, Native Knowledge 360 (a program of the National Museum of the American Indian) has a broad range of educational resources, such as Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations, which features Wampanoag perspectives on their ancestors' dealings with the Pilgrims in coastal Massachusetts.

As I was thinking about some menu ideas (but it turns out I'm just making apple pie this year), I remembered that our first PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase last December featured holiday foods. You can watch the program (and other past showcases) on PHMC's YouTube channel (December 2020 Collections Showcase) and see a compilation of recipes from the show on Trailheads (recipe page). Just like on the Cooking Channel! You'll also find an interesting post about heritage turkeys on the Assn. for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums blog (read about heritage turkeys).

The Week (or so) Ahead

Today, November 19

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): Thomas Keller from the PA Game Commission will talk about wild dogs of PA; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm (Learn at Lunchtime info and Zoom registration)

Saturday, November 20

• Candlelight Tours (in-person): visit the year 1755 with guided tours, Native American storyteller Darius Puff, and musician Catherine Hollen; Conrad Weiser Homestead; 5:30-8 pm (Candlelight Tours info)

Sunday, November 21

• Historic Foodways Demonstration (in-person): visit the kitchen to see what the cooks are working on; Pennsbury Manor; 1-4 pm; included in regular admission (Foodways info)

Wednesday, November 24

• Explore! (in-person): visit the Art of the State exhibition and learn how artists use line in their work; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Saturday, November 27

• Wreaths & Greens Workshops (in-person): make a festive wreath to take home and learn some tips for caring for evergreens in your yard; Pennsbury Manor; 10 am-noon or 1-3 pm; cost is $35 ($31.50 for members) and pre-registration is required (Pennsbury's website has more info)
• Christmas in the Colonies (in-person): learn about different traditions as you tour the Keith House and watch the Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble; Graeme Park; 3-5 pm (tours start every 30 minutes from 3:30 to 5); tickets are $10 for ages 13 and up, $7 for members and ages 6-12 (Graeme Park website for more info)
• Candlelight Open House (in-person): enjoy an evening of art, spinning, and music; Ephrata Cloister; 5-8:30 pm; tickets are $7 for age 3 and up, available at the door or in advance via Ticketleap (Ephrata Open House tickets online)

Sunday, November 28

• Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person): bring your projects and spend time with other stitchers; Bushy Run Battlefield; 1-4 pm (Sewing Circle info)

On Sale Now (as of 11/17; some programs will sell out)

• Holly Nights: experience Pennsbury Manor by candlelight Dec. 2 and 3 from 6 to 9 pm; tickets must be purchased in advance by Dec. 1 (Holly Nights info and tickets).
• Gingerbread Cookie Kits: Railroad Museum of PA is accepting orders for train-shaped gingerbread cookies. Choose 12 cookies per box (plain) or 6 cookies per box with vanilla icing bag and sprinkles for $20. Orders must be picked up at the museum on either Dec. 4 (10 am-3 pm), Dec. 10 (4-6 pm), or Dec. 11 (10 am-3 pm). Deadline for orders is Nov. 29 (RMP cookie flyer for details).
• Christmas with the Conductor: kids ages 3 and older will get to board one of the Railroad Museum of PA's historic railroad cars to hear a classic holiday story. Other activities are also part of the program. The program is offered Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 with three storytimes each day. The $10 program fee is in addition to museum admission. Deadline for registrations is Nov. 29, but space is limited and this program usually sells out quickly (Christmas with Conductor info and tickets).
• Ethnic Traditions: on Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Somerset Historical Center will partner with local families for a program on cultural traditions, food, and music of Japan, Italy, and Bangladesh; cost is $20 per person (Ethnic Traditions ticket info)
• Christmas at the Cloister: Ephrata Cloister presents a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse on Dec. 13 and 14, with performances at 6:30 and 8 pm each evening. Tickets available online via Ticketleap (Christmas at the Cloister info and tickets).

Exhibits and Visits and Planning Ahead

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

These yellow boots are on exhibit at Drake Well Museum & Park (photo via Drake Well Facebook page)

In the process of adding some new elements to their long-term exhibits, the folks at Drake Well Museum & Park developed a temporary exhibit called "Walking the Line: The Role of the Line Walker in the History and Safety of the Natural Gas Industry." The temporary exhibit ties into a new permanent section on pipelines and tells the story of the people employed by gas companies to check gas lines for leaks and damage in all sorts of weather. In addition to the wet-weather boots seen above, there's also a pair of snowshoes that curator Sue Beates presented in our January 2021 Virtual Collections Showcase (you can watch the recording on YouTube).

Landis Valley curator Jennifer Royer hosted redware artist Ned Foltz for a recent tour (photo shared via LVM Facebook page)

While we're on the subject of exhibits, I will note that if you have not yet seen "Thrown, Fired, and Glazed: The Redware Tradition from Pennsylvania and Beyond" at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, you have until the end of December to do so. It's a beautiful exhibit, filled with many forms of historic redware, info on the makers, and items from contemporary redware artisans as well. You have until Jan. 2 to see "Witness to History," "Why Not in Pennsylvania: Campaigning for Women's Suffrage in the Keystone State," and "Art of the State 2021" at The State Museum of Pennsylvania.

Members of the Hazleton Rotary on a recent visit to Eckley Miners' Village (photo shared by Eckley on Facebook)

The thing our sites missed the most about being closed during the height of the pandemic was welcoming visitors. Now that we've been open for a while, we're starting to see group tours again. Some in-person school visits have taken place this fall, and groups of adults have taken the opportunity for field trips, too. As shown above, Eckley Miners' Village recently hosted a visit from members of the Hazleton Rotary, who shared images from their visit on their Facebook page. And the Pennsylvania Military Museum was honored with a visit from members of the Women's Veterans Association of PA (see photo below).

These veterans visited the museum as part of a recent retreat (photo courtesy PA Military Museum and Women's Veterans Assn. of PA)

The Week Ahead

Sunday, Nov. 14

• Artists Conversations Gallery Tour (in-person): PHMC Commissioner and artist Ophelia Chambliss and artist Shelby Wormer will lead an informal tour of The Art of the State 2021; The State Museum of PA; 2-3 pm; included in regular admission (gallery tour info)

Wednesday, Nov. 17

• Explore! (in-person): explore T.M. Fowler's techniques for producing birds-eye views of PA towns; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)
• History Speaks Series (virtual): Dr. David Preston will present a program about irregular warfare during the colonial period; Bushy Run Battlefield; 7-8 pm; cost is $10 (History Speaks tickets)

Thursday, Nov. 18

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): examine pottery designes and create your own pinch pot; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission, sign up at the Ground Floor desk (Curiosity Kids info)
• PA History: Read It, See It (virtual): pay a virtual visit to the PA Lumber Museum and learn about related materials in your local library and the State Library's Rare Book Collection; noon-1 pm; to register, send an email to ra-edmakerspace@pa.gov with your name and title of the program

On Sale Now

• Wreaths & Greens Workshops: Pennsbury Manor will offer this workshop twice on Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm. Make a festive wreath to take home and learn some tips for caring for evergreens in your yard. Cost is $35 ($31.50 for members) and pre-registration is required (Wreath workshop details).
• Candlelight Open House: Ephrata Cloister welcomes you with an evening of art, spinning, and music, Saturday, Nov. 27, 5-8:30 pm; tickets are $7 for age 3 and up; purchase tickets at the door or in advance via Ticketleap (Ephrata Open House tickets online)
• Holly Nights: experience Pennsbury Manor by candlelight Dec. 2 and 3 from 6 to 9 pm; tickets must be purchased in advance by Dec. 1 (Holly Nights info and tickets).
• Gingerbread Cookie Kits: Railroad Museum of PA is accepting orders for train-shaped gingerbread cookies. Choose 12 cookies per box (plain) or 6 cookies per box with vanilla icing bag and sprinkles for $20. Orders must be picked up at the museum on either Dec. 4 (10 am-3 pm), Dec. 10 (4-6 pm), or Dec. 11 (10 am-3 pm). Deadline for orders is Nov. 29 (RMP cookie flyer for details).
• Christmas with the Conductor: kids ages 3 and older will get to board one of the Railroad Museum of PA's historic railroad cars to hear a classic holiday story. Other activities are also part of the program. The program is offered Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 with three storytimes each day. The $10 program fee is in addition to museum admission. Deadline for registrations is Nov. 29, but space is limited and this program usually sells out quickly (Christmas with Conductor info and tickets).
• Ethnic Traditions: Somerset Historical Center will partner with local families for a program on diverse cultural traditions, food, and music on Dec. 5, 5:30-8:30 pm, cost is $20 per person (updates on program/menu and tickets)
• Christmas at the Cloister: Ephrata Cloister presents a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse on Dec. 13 and 14, with performances at 6:30 and 8 pm each evening. Tickets available online via Ticketleap (Christmas at the Cloister info and tickets).

Change of Seasons?

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Fall is still here in this photo of the Webber cabin at the PA Lumber Museum (photo via PLM Facebook page)

But it looks like winter is trying to nose in ahead of schedule at Drake Well Museum & Park (photo via DWM Facebook page)

   

Whatever season it is where you are this weekend, I hope you have a chance to check out some of the programming we have going on the Trails of History. A couple of notes about schedules. As I mentioned last week (I think), some sites have already adjusted their hours for the winter, and others will be doing so in the weeks ahead. So please be sure to double check. Most Trails of History sites will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. Bushy Run Battlefield, Fort Pitt Museum, Pennsylvania Military Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and Somerset Historical Center will be open regular hours that day.

Reenactors from multiple military conflicts will be at the Railroad Museum this weekend (photo via RMP Facebook page)

The Week Ahead

Today, Nov. 5

• StoryTime (in-person): this month's book is Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky; The State Museum of PA; 10:30-11:30 am; for kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): several artists whose work is featured in the 2021 Art of the State exhibition will talk about their journeys with physical challenges; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm (Learn at Lunchtime info and Zoom registration)

Saturday, Nov. 6

• 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment (in-person): a wide range of activities including music, open-hearth cooking, military drills; Hope Lodge; 10 am-4 pm; tickets are $10 (Whitemarsh info and tickets)
• Trains & Troops (in-person): learn about the role of railroads during wartime overseas and on the home front; Railroad Museum of PA; 10 am-4 pm Saturday, noon-4 pm Sunday; included in regular admission (Trains & Troops info)
• Civil War Days (in-person): the Village will be filled with townspeople, cavalry and other soldiers, surgeons, and others with a role to play; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 11 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday; Adults $12, seniors $10, ages 6-11 $8 (Civil War Days info)

Sunday, Nov. 7

• Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk (in-person): enjoy a late fall day with history and nature; Conrad Weiser Homestead; noon-4 pm, guided walk at 2 (Weiser program info)
• Daniel Boone, the Homestead, and the French & Indian War (in-person): Paul Trainor will present a program in the Wayside Lodge exploring the impact of the French & Indian War in Berks County; Daniel Boone Homestead; 2-3 pm; suggested donation $5 (Boone program info)

Tuesday, Nov. 9

• Rexmont to High Bridge: A History of Lebanon's Water Supply (virtual): local historian and science educator Mike Trump will explore the evolution of Lebanon County's water supply from the late 19th century to today; Cornwall Iron Furnace; 7-8 pm (lecture info and Zoom registration)

Wednesday, Nov. 10

• Veterans Service Officer Day (in-person): representatives from organizations that serve military veterans will be on hand to provide help; Pennsylvania Military Museum; stop by the museum between 9 am and 4 pm or make an appointment by contacting Stephanie Imboden at 877/720-8387 or stephanie@pa-legion.com (Svc Officer Day details)
• Explore! (in-person): learn about wild dogs in PA (like coyotes and foxes) and how they're related to the dogs in our homes; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, Nov. 11

• Virtual Ephrata Academy (virtual): Zachary Long, volunteer coordinator at Pennsbury Manor, will talk about traditional clear toy candy and show some of his collection of candy molds; Ephrata Cloister; 7-8 pm (Academy info and Zoom registration)

On Sale Now

• Wreaths & Greens Workshops: Pennsbury Manor will offer this workshop twice on Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm. Make a festive wreath to take home and learn some tips for caring for evergreens in your yard. Cost is $35 ($31.50 for members) and pre-registration is required (Wreath workshop details).
• Holly Nights: experience Pennsbury Manor by candlelight Dec. 2 and 3 from 6 to 9 pm; tickets must be purchased in advance by Dec. 1 (Holly Nights info and tickets).
• Gingerbread Cookie Kits: Railroad Museum of PA is accepting orders for train-shaped gingerbread cookies. Choose 12 cookies per box (plain) or 6 cookies per box with vanilla icing bag and sprinkles for $20. Orders must be picked up at the museum on either Dec. 4 (10 am-3 pm), Dec. 10 (4-6 pm), or Dec. 11 (10 am-3 pm). Deadline for orders is Nov. 29 (RMP cookie flyer for details).
• Christmas with the Conductor: kids ages 3 and older will get to board one of the Railroad Museum of PA's historic railroad cars to hear a classic holiday story. Other activities are also part of the program. The program is offered Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 with three storytimes each day. The $10 program fee is in addition to museum admission. Deadline for registrations is Nov. 29, but space is limited and this program usually sells out quickly (Christmas with Conductor info and tickets).
• Ethnic Traditions: Somerset Historical Center will partner with local families for a program on diverse cultural traditions, food, and music on Dec. 5, 5:30-8:30 pm, cost is $20 per person (updates on program/menu and tickets)
• Christmas at the Cloister: Ephrata Cloister presents a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse on Dec. 13 and 14, with performances at 6:30 and 8 pm each evening. Tickets available to the general public on Monday, Nov. 8 (Christmas at the Cloister info).

Halloween and More

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Bonfires and storytelling were part of the fun at the PA Lumber Museum last weekend (photo via PLM Facebook)

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum was one of the Trails of History sites hosting Halloween events in the past couple of weeks (see more photos from their event). Curator Josh Fox also wrote a blog post this year entitled "What Chainsaw Did that Movie Use?" to provide some history for horror movie lovers. There are still opportunities for Halloween fun on the Trails of History, so be sure to check the listings below.

As we move from October into November, it's important to know that some Trails of History sites are adjusting their hours or outdoor offerings for the winter season. I always say it's a good idea to check ahead before visiting, but this time I really mean it. [Scary Halloween voice] You've been warned [end Scary Halloween voice].

Halloween isn't the only thing happening on the Trails, of course. Earlier this month, U.S. Brig Niagara sailed from Erie to Cleveland for some long-awaited maintenance and inspection at the Great Lakes Shipyard. If you aren't following Erie Maritime Museum on Facebook you may have missed the updates on the work. But here's a cool time lapse video of the ship being raised out of the water.



On October 16, the Anthracite Heritage Museum hosted an iron pour at the Scranton Iron Furnaces. Artist Brian Glaze melted iron using a cupola furnace and with the help of volunteers poured the molten iron into sand molds for visitors.


Speaking of molten iron, Cornwall Iron Furnace presented (also on October 16) a Civil War living history event with the Detachment, US Engineers, who interpreted the work of 19th-century military engineers.

This Week's Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, Oct. 29

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): curator Robert Hill will chat with historian Leroy Hopkins, Jr. about his father's WWII service, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm (Learn at Lunchtime info and Zoom registration)
• Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person): your guide will take you through the shadowy rooms and halls of the Keith House, Graeme Park, tickets still available (as of 10/26) for 7:45, 8, and 8:45 tours, tickets must be purchased in advance prior to 6 pm (Lantern Tours info and ticket link)

Saturday, Oct. 30

• Workshops in Archaeology (virtual): this year's focus is "Hidden Stories: Uncovering African American History Through Archaeology and Community Engagement," The State Museum of PA, 9 am - 4:30 pm (Workshop info and registration)
• Jack-o-Lantern Contest (in-person): drop off your entry this afternoon between 2 and 5 pm and the grounds will be open 5-9, Joseph Priestley House (contest details)
• Old Economy Village After Dark (in-person): several historic buildings will be open and attendees may bring hand-held ghost hunting equipment and cameras (nor large equipment), 6:30-9:30 pm, as of 10/26 there are about 30 tickets remaining, tickets must be purchased in advance (OEV After Dark info and tickets)
• Historic Cemetery Tour (in-person): historical figures from the past will greet you at Northumberland's Riverview Cemetery, Joseph Priestley House, tours begin every 15 minutes from 7 to 8 pm, tickets available at JPH today noon-4 pm or by calling 570/473-9474 (Cemetery Tour info)

Sunday, Oct. 31

• STEM Halloween activities (in-person): kids in grades K-5 can explore STEM from 3 to 5 pm and the grounds will be open from 1 to 8 pm, Joseph Priestley House (JPH info)

Wednesday, Nov. 3

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the history of deer in PA and their changing population, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, Nov. 4

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn how artists use line to create art and explore the 2021 Art of the State Exhibition, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission, space is limited to sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)

On Sale Now

• Wreaths & Greens Workshops: Pennsbury Manor will offer this workshop twice on Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm. Make a festive wreath to take home and learn some tips for caring for evergreens in your yard. Cost is $35 ($31.50 for members) and pre-registration is required (Wreath workshop details).
• Gingerbread Cookie Kits: Railroad Museum of PA is accepting orders for train-shaped gingerbread cookies. Choose 12 cookies per box (plain) or 6 cookies per box with vanilla icing bag and sprinkles for $20. Orders must be picked up at the museum on either Dec. 4 (10 am-3 pm) or Dec. 11 (10 am-3 pm). Deadline for orders is Nov. 29 (RMP cookie flyer for details).
• Christmas with the Conductor: kids ages 3 and older will get to board one of the Railroad Museum of PA's historic railroad cars to hear a classic holiday story. Other activities are also part of the program. The program is offered Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 with three storytimes each day. The $10 program fee is in addition to museum admission. Deadline for registrations is Nov. 29, but space is limited and this program usually sells out quickly (Christmas with Conductor info and tickets).

Catching Up with October

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Join us on Oct. 26 (details below) to learn about the Roberts Torpedo (like the one used on this oil well), chainsaws, boarding axes, train couplers, machine guns, and sawmills (photo courtesy Drake Well Museum)

Trailheads HQ has been on a little break this week. Please be sure to check ahead to make sure there's been no change of plans, especially for this weekend's events (I'll catch up in the coming week). Thank you!

Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, October 22

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): tune in for a variety of perspectives on special exhibits, programs, and initiatives, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm (L@L info)
• Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person): your guide will take you through shadowy rooms and halls of the Keith House and relate tales of the past, Graeme Park, 7-10:30 pm, tickets must be purchased in advance, this program also offered on Oct. 29 (Lantern Tour info and Oct. 22 ticket link)

Saturday, October 23

• Trains & Treats (in-person): visit historic locomotives, railroad cars and interactive exhibits and pick up treats along the way, Railroad Museum of PA, 10:30 am-3 pm, geared to kids age 3-12 and included in regular admission (Trains & Treats details)
• Historical Halloween (in-person): trick-or-treating long lantern-lit pathways and other family-friendly activities, Somerset Historical Center, 5-8 pm (Historical Halloween details)
• Spooky Lantern Tours (in-person): guides will take groups on an after-dark tour of the museum grounds with trick-or-treating and other activities, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, 6:30-8:30 pm (Spooky Lantern Tours details)

Sunday, October 24

• Last Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person): bring sewing projects and hang out in the company of other needle arts enthusisasts, today's event is an exception to the usual last Sunday of the month schedule, Bushy Run Battlefield, 1-4 pm (Sewing Circle details)
• Beer Brewing & Garden Highlights (in-person): explore the recipes and plants that kept Pennsbury's early residents fed, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (BB&GH details)

Tuesday, October 26

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (virtual): this month's Halloween-adjacent theme is Most Dangerous Object, hosted by Railroad Museum of PA, 7-8 pm (Showcase info and registration)
• UPDATE: The Harmonist Connection (virtual): as part of an ongoing collaboration among Old Economy Village, Historic Harmony, and New Harmony this program will focus on Harmonist cemeteries and burial practices, 7-8 pm (Harmonist Connection info and registration)

Wednesday, October 27

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the rocks that make up Pennsylvania, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, October 28

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): discover the Giant Map of Pennsylvania and use your mapping skills during a scavenger hunt, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission, space is limited so sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)