Taking Care of History

Taking Care of History UPDATE SEPT. 1: Due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida, some sites and museums may be cancelling programs or changing operating hours. Always be sure to check ahead before visiting.

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.

People in military uniform and civilians gather near two 44-foot gray artillery guns mounted on a concrete pedestal to mark the anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
The annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day tribute at the Pennsylvania Military Museum takes place beneath two guns from the USS Pennsylvania (photo PMM)

As we've noted in this blog many times, the work of caring for the objects in our collections never ends (nor does the work of sharing those objects and their stories with our audiences and communities). Sometimes those objects are small and delicate. Sometimes they're, to reveal an insider term, "Big Metal Objects." This week the staff of the Pennsylvania Military Museum began a project to make necessary repairs to the Pennsy Guns, two 44-foot-long gun barrels from the USS Pennsylvania that are now displayed on the museum grounds (see photo above). The ship was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and these guns saw action during World War II. Site administrator Tyler Gum explains, “After more than 10 years of exposure, the necessary adjustments, and improvements are certainly due, as they would be if the barrels were still aboard the Pennsy.”

Work will include the temporary removal of the barrels from their pedestals, allowing for repairs to be completed successfully and safely. Caring for these immense artifacts is a responsibility held by museum curator Jennifer Gleim. “The Pennsylvania Military Museum is lucky to be the stewards of these important pieces of history," said Gleim. “We ensure the safety and integrity of the barrels on display by performing yearly condition reports and upkeep, in accordance with standards provided by the U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command.” Maintenance and repairs are performed by a team of engineers, architects, and historians. Once completed, both barrels will be remounted, allowing for continued interpretation and long-term preservation.

Two large red cranes lift a 44-foot long metal gun barrel onto a concrete pedestal at the PA Military Museum. There are people watching the work.
The Pennsy Guns being lifted into place at the museum in 2009 (photo by intern William Cawthern)

Upcoming Events (virtual & in-person)

Today, August 27
  • Drake Days (in-person): enjoy some extras with your visit today & tomorrow marking the 162nd anniversary of Col. Edwin L. Drake striking oil in northwestern PA, Drake Well Museum & Park, 10 am-4 pm each day, included in regular admission (DWM Facebook post for details)
  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): view "Witness to History: WITF's Tim Lambert and 9/11," a pre-recorded interview by State Museum Director Beth Hager, 12:15-12:45 pm (SMOP link for program)
Saturday, August 28
  • Sawblades & Spinning Wheels (in-person): members of the local fiber arts community will be on site so bring your knitting, crochet, or other fiber projects, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, 1-3 pm (PLM Facebook for info)
Sunday, August 29
  • Last Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person): bring your sewing or embroidery projects and spend time with others who like to sew, Bushy Run Battlefield, 1-4 pm, repeats the last Sunday of each month, except Oct. (BRB Facebook post for details)
Wednesday, Sept. 1
  • Explore! (in-person): kids in grades 3-5 are invited to learn about black bears, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission (Explore! info)
Thursday, Sept. 2
  • Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about the basic motions of the Earth and the Sun that cause us to experience seasons, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission, but space is limited (Curiosity Kids info)

On and Off the Trails

On and Off the Trails
Bright yellow sunflowers with brown centers and green leaves grow along a fence.
Sunflowers in the George Rapp Garden at Old Economy Village (photo via OEV Facebook)


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.

Old Economy Village was featured in the Uncovering PA blog recently. Their lovely sunflowers are featured at the top of today's post, but there's lots more to see there.



For National Relaxation Day, Erie Maritime Museum featured a painting by Joseph Plavcan called "Rowboats on Lake Pleasant." The museum collection includes other work by Plavcan, many showing water scenes from the region.



Fans of Drake Well Museum & Park have a chance to vote in the inaugural Oil Regional Alliance Tourism Awards. Drake Well is nominated as Best Landmark and Best Must-Do Activity in the Oil Region. Voting closes August 31.



Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum posted an object from their collection, an extra valve for Mattson's Improved Breast Pump, patented in 1868. Morris Mattson of New York received a patent for a breast pump in September 1868 and then for the improved pump that December.

Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, August 20
  • Learn at Lunchtime (in-person and online) - archivist Rich Saylor and State Museum Program Director Brad Smith will present "Witness to History: Col. Paul Evanko's 9/11 Field Notes," The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, included in regular admission for in-person attendees (SMP Zoom registration link for virtual participants)
Saturday, August 21
  • StoryTime (in-person) - "The Case of the Missing Chalk Drawings" by Richard Byrne, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, included in regular admission and geared for kids age 2-PreK, sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk (StoryTime info)
  • Classic Car Cruise (in-person) - classic cars, music, food & drink, and more, Bushy Run Battlefield, noon-4 pm, event is free, admission rates apply for museum and battlefield tours (Car Cruise info)
Wednesday, August 25
  • Explore! (in-person) - learn about the Pennsylvania Turnpike and map out your trip, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission and designed for kids in grades 3-5, sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk (Explore! info)
Thursday, August 26
  • Curiosity Kids (in-person) - discover squirrels and other rodents, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission and designed for kids ages K-grade 2, space is limited so sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk (Curiosity Kids info)
  • Digitizing a Community's History (virtual) - by digitizing local history materials, a community can bring their history and memories together in one place, Pennsylvania State Archives, noon-1:30 pm (info and webinar Zoom registration)

More Pictures than Words

More Pictures than Words 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.

If you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.


A rough wooden picket fence surrounds a garden with raised beds, two log buildings are in the background. A plant with purple flowers grows next to the fence at the front of the image.
Garden at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum in late July (photo via LVM Facebook)

It's been one of those weeks. I hope you're all staying safe and healthy and enjoy these glimpses of life on the Trails of History.

The Erie Maritime Museum has kicked off a new webseries highlighting the museum building, which started life generating electricity for the good people of Erie.



This past weekend at Hope Lodge, the grounds were filled with over 200 British cars and motorcycles of varied vintage.


For #InternationalCatDay earlier this week, Ephrata Cloister shared a photo of local cat Foben, named for community member Sister Foben, one of the first documented female composers in America


I know I share a lot of Pennsbury garden photos, but I can't help myself. This most recent is of a monarch caterpillar snacking on butterfly weed.


Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, August 13
  • Adventures in Nature Lab (virtual & in-person) - learn about different kinds of turtles in PA, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, in-person program included in regular admission, Zoom program is free (Turtle program info and Zoom registration)
Saturday, August 14
  • Spy Pilot (in-person) - lecture by Francis Gary Powers, Jr. based on his book about the 1960 downing of American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers, Sr., Pennsylvania Military Museum, 1:30-2:30 pm (additional info)
Sunday, August 15
  • Ice Cream Social (in-person) - stroll the grounds, visit the historic buildings, meet the K-PETS therapy dogs, and eat ice cream, Ephrata Cloister, 1-4 pm, $10 ($5 for members) covers it all (event info)
Wednesday, August 18
  • Explore! (in-person) - herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores, oh my, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission (Explore! info)
Thursday, August 19
  • Curiosity Kids (in-person) - observe nature in Mammal Hall using binoculars to look at the dioramas, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)
  • PA History: Read It, See It (virtual) - hosted by the State Library of PA, today's virtual visit is to Drake Well Museum & Park, noon-1 pm (Read It, See It info and Zoom registration)

Peak Summer

Peak Summer 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.

If you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.


Interior staircase at Pennsbury Manor seen fr second floor landing. Light tan plaster walls are accented with wood trim and panelling. There is a casement window on the lower landing and a brass chandelier overhead.
Second floor landing of the Manor House, looking toward the rear of the house (photo via Pennsbury Facebook)
Pennsbury Manor announced this week that the reconstructed Manor House is once again open to the public as part of the site's guided tours. The house had been closed due to some ongoing projects at Pennsbury. Please visit Pennsbury's website for details on hours of operation, admissions, and guided tour schedules.

Heading to the beach? Erie Maritime Museum's recent post breaks down the parts of a wave for you.



And another in our long-running series of posts from Old Economy Village showcasing the beautiful grounds and gardens (kudos to museum educator David Miller). I hope you've enjoyed the vicarious visits as much as I have.


Think of this as a public service announcement, even though it's not directly Trails of History. The PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources says it's time to start stomping on spotted lantern flies. Tread carefully as they tend to jump away, so be prepared to persist. I was 1 for 2 on my lunchtime walk yesterday.


Upcoming Events (in-person and virtual)

Today, August 6
  • StoryTime (in-person) - today's book is "The Case of the Missing Chalk Drawings" by Richard Byrne, The State Museum of PA, included in regular admission, 10:30-11:30 am (StoryTime info)
  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual) - fine art curator Amy Hammond talks with artist Lauren Litwa about PA landscapes, plein air painting, and the creation of "Tekla's Ladder," The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm (register for Zoom link)
  • First Friday Food Trucks (in-person) - live music, food truck fare, and funnel cake, Somerset Historical Center, $5 parking fee, 5:30-8:30 pm (Food Truck event info)
Saturday, August 7
  • Battle of Bushy Run (in-person) - includes historical reenactments, demonstrations, music, and more, Bushy Run Battlefield, admission is by donation, 9 am-6 pm today and tomorrow, August 8 (BRB event info)
  • Ales & Petals/Cars & Motorcycles of England Car Show (in-person) - car show, live music, and (for those 21 and older with valid ID) craft beer tasting, Hope Lodge, admission is $10 for adults (add'l charge for beer and food concessions), 10 am-4 pm (HL event info, including online ticket purchase)
Sunday, August 8
  • Battle of Bushy Run (in-person) - see August 7 for info
  • Tonight's Sky: A Live Chat with the Planetarium Director (virtual) - this monthly program helps you know what to look for in the night sky, The State Museum of PA, 2-3 pm (Tonight's Sky Zoom registration)
Tuesday, August 10
  • The Pennsylvania Barn in Form and Function (virtual) - Patrick J. Donmoyer will discuss his research on the anatomy of the PA barn and its larger context, Cornwall Iron Furnace, 7-8 pm (PA Barn Zoom registration)
Wednesday, August 11
  • Explore! (in-person) - this week's program looks at the role of beavers in the survival of specific plants and animals, The State Museum of PA, included in regular admission, 11:30 am-12:30 pm (Explore! info)
Thursday, August 12
  • Curiosity Kids (in-person) - today's program explores gristmills and takes place in the Transportation & Industry Gallery, The State Museum of PA, included in regular admission but space is limited, 11:30 am-12:30 pm (Curiosity Kids info)
  • Webinar on creating hands-on natural history materials (virtual) - Carissa Longo (PA State Parks) and Susan Gallagher (Carbon County Environmental Education Ctr) will show you how to safely and legally curate, preserve, and care for natural history items for educational use, 5:30-7:30 pm (webinar Zoom link)