Happy Fall!

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.

The crabapple trees at Old Economy Village are starting to bear fruit (photo via OEV Facebook)

It is now officially Fall, so I hope you'll have a chance to enjoy cooler weather as you visit our sites along the PA Trails of History. If you want to keep an eye on fall colors around the state, be sure to check out DCNR's foliage map (not updated for 2021 just yet, but it should be soon).

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's curator, Jennifer Royer, participated in last week's worldwide Twitter event, Ask a Curator Day, working with PHMC's digital director, Sean Adkins. Sean posted some highlights on the PA Trails of History Facebook page.


Last fall, PHMC received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to fund "PA History to Go," a project to produce video tours and highlights at each of the Trails of History sites. Working with Mark Polonia Productions, site staff and volunteers are sharing the essential stories of their sites. Filming took place at Daniel Boone Homestead last week, and they shared some views of the project.



Since July, PHMC has been collaborating with the State Library of PA on a monthly lunchtime series called "PA History: Read It, See It." The programs include a presentation about one of our Trails of History sites paired with related info available from local libraries or found in the State Library's rare book collection. September's program featured Cornwall Iron Furnace, and you can watch the video on YouTube if you missed it.

I'll leave you with some atmospheric images and ambient sound as we enter the weekend. This was posted to the PA Military Museum's Facebook page by the NGP (National Guard of PA) History Project last week. There is no narration, but the ambient sound includes water rushing in the creekbed on the museum grounds, wind blowing against the microphone, and towards the end the sound of vehicles on nearby roads. Enjoy!

On Sale Now

Tickets for the following in-person Fall programs are currently on sale (as of 9/22 - supplies may be limited):

• Garden Railways Tour, Railroad Museum of PA, Oct. 3 (Tour tickets)
• Children's Tea, Bushy Run Battlefield, Oct. 3 (Tea program tickets)
• Old Economy Village After Dark Ghost Tours, Oct. 15 and 30 (Oct. 15 tickets and Oct. 30 tickets)

Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, Sept. 24

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): curators Amy Hammond and Carol Buck will talk with museum director Beth Hager about this year's Art of the State exhibit. The conversation will be pre-recorded and released today (SMOP info)

Saturday, Sept. 25

• Fall Nature Walk (in-person): learn about plants and animals of western PA with naturalist Lindsey Praksti, Bushy Run Battlefield, 10 am-noon, $5 includes admission and tour of battlefield, pre-registration not required but appreciated (Nature Walk details)

Sunday, Sept. 26

• An Afternoon with the Graemes (in-person): dancing, tea, and living history, Graeme Park, noon-3 pm, outdoor activities are free, tours of the Keith House will be available at discounted admission rate (Afternoon info)
• Last Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person): bring your projects and join in the company, Bushy Run Battlefield, 1-4 pm, no charge to participate (Sewing Circle info)
• Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person): explore some of the recipes and plants that fed Pennsbury's residents, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (Highlights info)
• Art of the State exhibit (in-person): a juried exhibition of works by artists and craftspeople from around the state, The State Museum of PA, noon-5 pm, included in regular admission and open during operating hours today through Jan. 2, 2022 (AOS21 info)

Wednesday, Sept. 29

• Explore! (in-person): kids in grades 3-5 are invited to learn how reducing, reusing, and recycling can improve the lives of all living things in PA, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm (Explore! info)

Thursday, Sept. 30

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): use your senses to learn about ways that rocks can be used, 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)