Virtual Groundhog Day?

Please check the PHMC Events Calendar if you're planning ahead. I've included some highlights below. The Trailheads Rec Room to the right of your screen has all kinds of online offerings, available 24/7.

A groundhog eating (credit D. Gordon, E. Robertson via Creative Commons)

In what is likely a first (hedging my bets, here), Punxsutawney Phil will deliver the annual prognostication of winter's length virtually. Since I've never gone to Gobbler's Knob in person and really don't like being out in the cold, it's all the same to me, although I know there are plenty of folks who love that sort of thing. Anyway, you'll find Phil and the gang at www.groundhog.org if you want to catch the excitement from home (I just might). I'm sure many of you know that Phil is not Pennsylvania's only whistlepig (and I'm not talking about his brother Gus). I haven't been able to find out info on all of them for this year. I can tell you that Octoraro Orphie is sitting this one out, but Mount Joy Minnie will make a prediction. (I know this is the content you all come to Trailheads for.)

Regardless of what the groundhogs predict, hopes for spring spring eternal on the Trails of History. Pennsbury Manor has announced a project to revitalize the Upper Court, or formal gardens, behind the Manor House. Gardens always require a degree of hope (and spring).

We are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting endeavor that will enhance the aesthetics and educational value of...

Posted by Pennsbury Manor on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

David Miller, museum educator at Old Economy Village, posted some descriptions of George Rapp's garden, along with a lovely image.

From the Museum Educator: When the Duke of Saxe-Weimar visited Economy in 1826 he had this to say about George Rapp’s...

Posted by Old Economy Village on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

And to get a start on your own garden, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Heirloom Seed Project has begun taking orders for seeds.

Whether your garden consists of a few pots on the patio or a full scale vegetable garden, nothing tops heirloom veggies!...

Posted by Landis Valley Museum on Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Of course, we have Bernie memes!

Historic Hope Lodge found Sen. Bernie Sanders, with his sensible coat, mask, and warm mittens, in the unheated (at the moment) parlor.

Welcome to Hope Lodge, Mr. Sanders. Better late than never!

Posted by Historic Hope Lodge on Saturday, January 23, 2021

Senator Sanders also, apparently, found his way into the black bear diorama in the State Museum's Mammal Hall.

How does he do it? #Bernie is welcome to visit when we reopen, but for now visit Mammal Hall 360 to see the dioramas -> statemuseumpa.org/PAMammalHall #BernieMemes2021 #pamammalhall #bernieatmuseums

Posted by The State Museum of Pennsylvania on Friday, January 22, 2021

And to everyone's astonishment, Bernie was able to climb aboard Oliver Hazard Perry's boat as he transferred from Lawrence to Niagara.

Wait. That's not how we remember it... #bernie #memes

Posted by Erie Maritime Museum on Thursday, January 21, 2021

Upcoming virtual events

Friday, January 29

• Virtual Trivia Night, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 7-9 pm (info and registration)

Saturday, January 30

• Boats, Ships, and Us: SS Keewatin, Erie Maritime Museum, 2-3 pm (info and registration)
• An Industrial History Tour of Scotland, England, and Wales, Anthracite Heritage Museum, 2-3 pm (Zoom link)

Wednesday, February 3

• Online Sail Training Course, week 1 of 6, Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, 6-7:30 pm (info and registration)

Thursday, February 4

• Winter History Class, week 1 of 9, Ephrata Cloister, 9 am-noon (info and registration)