Spring is Here, Maybe

Please check the PHMC Events Calendar if you're looking for virtual programs. I've highlighted events below, but there's more to see in the weeks ahead. The Trailheads Rec Room to the right of your screen has all kinds of online offerings--available 24/7.

David Miller, museum educator at Old Economy Village, snapped this sign of spring recently (photo via OEV Facebook page)

Signs of Spring

I'm not going to jinx it by saying too much, but spring officially arrives tomorrow. Shhh. Don't scare it away. As you can see from the photo above, Trails of History sites are starting to post hopeful signs that warmer weather will stick around now and not just taunt us with "fake spring." I choose to believe it. For now.

What are your favorite signs of spring? Birds? Flowers? Mud? Ordering seeds? Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum recently shared an object from their collection, a countertop seed packet display case, to help us all get ready for spring.

Another seed post....can you tell that the staff of Landis Valley Museum are ready for Spring. To learn more about this...

Posted by Landis Valley Museum on Monday, March 15, 2021

Saint Patrick's Day

To mark the day when lots of people celebrate their Irish roots, Eckley Miners' Village posted about a scrapbook in their collection related to the filming of The Molly Maguires.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today we are going to showcase recent artifact donations to Eckley Miner's Village; two...

Posted by Eckley Miners' Village Museum on Wednesday, March 17, 2021

And the Erie Maritime Museum paid tribute to U.S Navy sailor Patrick Murphy, an Irish immigrant who served twice on USS Michigan and is buried in Erie, with a Medal of Honor marker on his grave.

A career #UnitedStatesNavy sailor, Patrick Murphy immigrated to the United States from Waterford, Ireland. Upon settling...

Posted by Erie Maritime Museum on Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Women's History Month

Among this week's posts highlighting women's history, Ephrata Cloister shared the story of Barbara Keiper who came to Ephrata in her late teens to care for aging members of the community.

Barbara Keiper (b. December 20, 1771) came to Ephrata in her late teens to care for the aging members living in the...

Posted by Historic Ephrata Cloister on Tuesday, March 16, 2021

And Hope Lodge posted about Susanna Heath Morris, a Quaker who traveled extensively as a preacher and whose son Samuel was the builder and first owner of Hope Lodge.

Today for Women's History Month we celebrate Susanna Heath Morris, mother of Samuel Morris, the builder and first owner...

Posted by Historic Hope Lodge on Saturday, March 13, 2021

Upcoming Virtual Events

Today, March 19

• Learn at Lunchtime series, The State Museum of PA, "Deadly Contact: Europeans, Native Americans, and Pandemics," 12:15-12:45 pm (SMP Facebook to register)

Saturday, March 20

• Boats, Ships, and Us series, Erie Maritime Museum and US Brig Niagara, "Tragedy of the Sultana," 2-3 pm (EMM Facebook to register)

Tuesday, March 23

• The History of the Landis Valley Hotel, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, 7-8 pm (LVM Facebook to register)

Wednesday, March 24

• Homeschool Presentation series, The State Museum of PA, "Pennsylvania Habitats," 10-11 am (SMP website to register)

Thursday, March 25

• Winter History Class Week 8, Ephrata Cloister, 9 am-noon (EC website to register)
• Power of Steam: Demo and Virtual Tour, Railroad Museum of PA, 10-11 am (RMP link to register)
• Industrial Immigration to PA, 1877-1914, Somerset Historical Center, 7-8 pm (SHC Facebook to register)
• Women's Voices in the Oil Story series, Drake Well Museum & Park, "Women in Labor: Giving Birth in the Oil Days," 7-8:30 pm (DWM Facebook to register)