Independence Day Weekend

Posted by Amy Killpatrick Fox on Wednesday, June 29, 2022
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Independence Day Weekend
Two men use a crosscut saw to cut the end off of a log that's had its bark removed. Spectators in chairs on either side watch them work.
Two-man saw demonstration from PA Lumber Museum's Bark Peelers' Festival (2018 photo by AKF)

If you can make your way to the northern tier of PA on Saturday or Sunday, you'll be able to enjoy the first Bark Peelers' Festival since 2019. They'll be demonstrating the sawmill on Saturday, along with lots of lumber heritage skills and activities both days. Bark Peelers' will mark its 50th year next summer and is almost as old as the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum itself. The event was originally called Bark Peelers' Convention, the name used for gatherings of woodhicks on or around the 4th of July to celebrate the end of logging season. It's a great way to spend some time outdoors - the weather app on my phone says it will be in the upper 70s to low 80s.

The list below includes other Trails of History events and activities this weekend, including food trucks at Somerset Historical Center, a patriotic concert at Conrad Weiser Homestead, and 18th-century trades and craft demonstrations at Brandywine Battlefield Park. Something for everyone.

With July 4th falling on a Monday, most Trails of History sites will not be open. If you're looking for a museum visit that day, you can visit the Lumber Museum and the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Additionally, Fort Pitt Museum and Graeme Park will be open and have planned special events for the holiday (see listings below). However you choose to spend the holiday, I hope it's safe, happy, and at least a little historical.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Today, July 1

  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
    • Read John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith, learn truths and legends about the Founding Fathers, and try writing with a quill pen. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (State Museum StoryTime info).
  • Bertolet Sawmill Run (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
    • The Bertolet Sawmill is one of the oldest working water-powered vertical blade sawmills in PA. Today is a rare chance to see it in operation (Sawmill run info).
  • First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
    • Food trucks and live music on a summer evening. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 per vehicle (First Friday info).

Saturday, July 2

  • Bark Peelers' Festival (in-person); 9 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday; PA Lumber Museum
    • This event honors and celebrates PA's lumbering heritage. Woodhick skill demos and contests, live music, food vendors, and more. Admission charged (Bark Peelers' Festival details).
  • July 4th Weekend Kickoff (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
    • Visit the 18th century with tours and blacksmithing, carpentry, and papermaking demos (Brandywine info).
  • Extended Evening Hours (in-person); 4-7 pm; Ephrata Cloister
    • The site will stay open later to make the most of cooler evening temps and summer light. Guided tours at 4, 5, and 6; the Museum Store will also be open. Regular admission charged (Ephrata info).

Sunday, July 3

  • Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • Historic trades demonstrators will be happy to talk with visitors as they showcase their skills. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).
  • Patriotic Concert (in-person); 5-6 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
    • The Ringgold Band will present an outdoor concert on site. Admission and parking are free. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Rain date is Sept. 4 at 3 pm (Weiser concert info).

Monday, July 4

  • Independence Day Celebration (in-person); 11:30 am-2:30 pm; Graeme Park
    • The site opens at 11:30 am; feel free to bring a lunch to enjoy on the grounds. At noon, hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence and test your 4th of July trivia knowledge. The Keith House will open for tours when the festivities wrap up (approx. 12:30) and will be open until 2:30. Did I mention the free scoop of ice cream? The event is free; donations are welcome (Graeme Park Independence Day info).
  • Fourth at the Fort (in-person); 1-4 pm; Fort Pitt Museum
    • There will be a flag-raising at 1 pm, followed by outdoor living history demos throughout the afternoon. The outdoor event is free; regular admission rates apply to visit the museum's indoor exhibits (4th at the Fort info).

Tuesday, July 5

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor

Wednesday, July 6

  • Reading Railroad Days (in-person); 10 am-4 pm, Wednesday thru Saturday; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Reading Railroad Days continues July 6-9; learn about one of PA's most important railroads. Included in regular admission (Reading Days info).
  • Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about Earth's land formations and discover how geologists study rocks and minerals. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

Thursday, July 7

  • Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Listen to a story with the gardener and stay to explore the grounds. Suggested ages are 4-8, but all are welcome. Admission is $3, which is a grounds pass ticket; additional fees apply for Manor House tours (Pennsbury Storytime info).
  • Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Museum educators will share hands-on fossils to help visitors learn about life on Earth from the Carboniferous Period to the present. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Friday, July 8

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Dr. Robyn Underwood from Penn State Cooperative Extension will talk about the biology and behavior of honey bees. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tuesdays, July 12-August 23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - a new topic each week. The workshops are open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215-946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop dates and topics).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wednesday, July 13, 10 am-3 pm; Sunday, July 17, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
    • Exhibit noises in the gallery will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please register for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (July 13 visit or July 17 visit).
  • PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; Thursday, July 14, 7-8 pm
    • This month's theme is Crime & Punishment. Five panelists will present objects/stories, then the audience gets to vote on their favorite or the one they think best relates to the theme. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Showcase registration).
  • Hidden Sounds Musical Program (in-person); Saturday, July 16, 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
    • In partnership with the Harmony Museum, OEV presents a look at Harmonist music and examples recorded by Grammy-winning cellist Eugene Friesen in the Harmonist wine cellar in Harmony, PA. The program is free, but space is limited (Hidden Sounds info and registration).
  • The Dead of Summer (in-person); Saturday, July 16, 6-8 pm; Graeme Park
    • This program includes a reenactment of an early 20th-century spiritualist seance and a discussion of the history of such entertainments. Tickets are $20 per person; limit of 20 people each for 6 pm and 7:30 pm programs (Dead of Summer info and tickets).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sunday, August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Taking a Break

Posted by Amy Killpatrick Fox on Friday, June 24, 2022
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Taking a Break
Green leaves and purple flowers of periwinkle against rough wooden siding
Periwinkle at Ephrata Cloister in April (photo by AKF)
Trailheads HQ has been on a little break this week, so no news to report. But the calendar is full for those of you looking for activities on the Trails of History. And be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar if you're planning ahead beyond next week.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Today, June 24

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • State Museum archaeologists will highlight cultural resources impacted by Tropical Storm Agnes 50 years ago. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime June 24 registration).

Saturday, June 25

  • Nature Journaling (in-person); 10 am-noon; Joseph Priestley House
    • Presented in collaboration with the Ned Smith Nature Center, this program is designed for ages 9 and up to learn how to create a nature journal. The program is free but registration is required; email jphopsmanager@gmail.com or call 570/473-9474 (Journaling event info).
  • Brews & Bites (in-person); 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • This event features breweries from the Bucks County Ales Trail along with live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations, lawn games, and more on the banks of the Delaware River. General admission is $40 (includes beer tastings); designated driver tickets are $25 (Brews & Bites tickets).

Sunday, June 26

  • Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • Explore recipes and plants that fed the early residents of Pennsbury Manor. Included in regular admission (Sunday program info).

Tuesday, June 28

  • Sensory Hours (in-person); 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff to answer questions. Admission is $7 per person; advance registration required (Sensory Hours tickets).

Wednesday, June 29

  • Reading Railroad Days (in-person); 10 am-4 pm, June 29-July 2; noon-4 pm, July 3; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Learn about the Reading Railroad during this special event. Event continues July 6-9. Included in regular admission (Reading Days info).
  • Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Museum educators will help families explore the Mammal Hall dioramas and provide hands-on objects to add to the tour. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, June 30

  • Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about PA's state flag, explore what its colors and symbols mean, and create your own flag. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info).

Friday, July 1

  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
    • Read John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith, learn truths and legends about the Founding Fathers, and try writing with a quill pen. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (StoryTime info).
  • Bertolet Sawmill Run (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
    • The Bertolet Sawmill is one of the oldest working water-powered vertical blade sawmills in PA. Today is a rare chance to see it in operation (Sawmill run info).
  • First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
    • Food trucks and live music on a summer evening. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 per vehicle (First Friday info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, July 8, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Dr. Robyn Underwood from Penn State Cooperative Extension will talk about the biology and behavior of honey bees. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime July 8 registration).
  • "Room Enough for Them All" (virtual); Tuesday, July 12, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Michael Showalter, museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, will present a program on the diverse population of Lancaster County in the late 18th century. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Cornwall lecture info).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wednesday, July 13, 10 am-3 pm; Sunday, July 17, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
    • Exhibit noises in the gallery will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please register for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (July 13 visit or July 17 visit).
  • The Dead of Summer (in-person); Saturday, July 16, 6-8 pm; Graeme Park
    • This program includes a reenactment of an early 20th-century spiritualist seance and a discussion of the history of such entertainments. Tickets are $20 per person; limit of 20 people each for 6 pm and 7:30 pm programs (Dead of Summer info and tickets).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sunday, August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Officially Summer!

Posted by Amy Killpatrick Fox on Friday, June 17, 2022
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Cast iron cooking demo over an outdoor fire includes a roasting chicken, a skillet with cornbread over a cooking grate, and a dutch oven with pot roast.
Cornwall Iron Furnace's Cast Iron Cooking Demo last weekend included roast chicken, cornbread, and pot roast. Yum! (photo via Cornwall Facebook page)
Officially Summer!

I'm no camper, but the meal above, cooked outdoors over a woodfire, makes me wonder if I could change. Okay, probably not. But it's making me very hungry. Cornwall Iron Furnace's Cast Iron Cooking demo was rescheduled from a rainy day earlier in the spring and coincided with an outdoor concert. With summer officially starting next week, this picture just stuck with me. Summer is the busiest time along the Trails of History, so please be sure to check the calendar listings below and the PHMC Events Calendar if you're planning farther ahead.

The first of the summer camp programs at Trails of History sites kick off next week at Joseph Priestley House and Bushy Run Battlefield. There's a list below with other options and links for signing up your young campers.

Old Economy Village's Summer Concert Series starts Sunday (see below), and they've announced a new video series, Fine Art Fridays, that will launch on June 24, providing a glimpse into OEV's art collections every other Friday.

On the other side of the state, Pennsbury Manor's Garden Workshop series starts on Tuesday, June 21, at 10 am and continues weekly through August (list of workshop sessions). Also, Pennsbury is joining with the African American Museum of Bucks County to host a Juneteenth gathering on Saturday, June 18 (see details below).

On Memorial Day this year, a bugler played Taps at the 28th Division Shrine on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Out of that has grown a new weekly event at the site, Taps at the Shrine. On Friday and Saturday afternoons at 3 pm, now through Labor Day weekend, volunteer buglers will help carry out the museum's mission to honor those who have served in the military and to share their stories with the community.

And before we head into the weekend, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum shared some photos from a recent visit by members of the Model A Restorers Club, who stopped at the site for lunch and a few photo ops.

Black Model A touring car with white wall tires parked in front of a two-story clapboard house with beige siding and dark tan shutters and other trim
A Ford Model A parked in front of the Landis Brothers' House (photo via Landis Valley's Facebook page)

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Today, June 17

Saturday, June 18

  • Patchtown Days (in-person), 10 am-5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, Eckley Miners' Village
    • Enjoy folk arts, music, and food of the coal region during this two-day event offered in conjunction with Hazleton's Walk In Arts Center. Admission charged (Patchtown Days details).
  • StoryTime (in-person), 10:30-11:30 am, The State Museum of PA
    • Read Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand and create your own windsock to discover the power of the wind. Included in regular admission (StoryTime details).
  • Juneteenth Freedom Day (in-person), 1-3 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • The African American Museum of Bucks County and Pennsbury Manor invite you to a friends and family gathering to celebrate Juneteenth Day of Freedom. Bring your chairs, blankets, and lunch (if you want) to enjoy the celebration (Juneteenth Day of Freedom info).
  • CANCELED Colonial Cocktail Hour (in-person), 7-10 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield

Sunday, June 19

  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person), 10 am-noon, PA Military Museum
    • Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).
  • Father's Day (in-person), noon-4 pm, Graeme Park
    • Tours of the Keith House are free for men age 18 and up today. Tour times are 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30. Regular admission is $8 for ages 19-59, $6 for ages 6-18 and 60+ (Graeme Park website).
  • Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person), 1-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • The cooks will prepare recipes showing African American influences. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking info).
  • Special Exhibit Tour (in-person), 2-3 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • State Museum director Beth Hager and senior history curator Dr. Curt Miner will lead a tour of A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania. Museum admission is free on 6/19 (Exhibit tour info).
  • Summer Concert Series (in-person), 2-4 pm, Old Economy Village
    • Beaver County Symphonic Wind Ensemble will present today's concert in the garden (Feast Hall is the rain location). The concert is free; $5 donation is suggested. Please bring your own chairs and blankets for seating (Concert info).

Tuesday, June 21

  • Historical & Archival Records Care Grants webinar (virtual), 10 am, PA State Archives
    • Staff will provide an overview of the grant program, define eligibility, and offer suggestions for competitive applications. Offered via Zoom: register for June 21.

Wednesday, June 22

  • Explore! (in-person), 11:30 am-12:30 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about the wide variety of insects found in PA and their relationship to humans, the environment, and other organisms. For kids in grades 3-5 and include in regular admission (Explore! info).
  • Music on the Lawn (in-person) 7-8 pm, Joseph Priestley House
    • Enjoy an evening of Appalachian folk music performed by "Simple Gifts." The program is free and open to the public. Please bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating (Music on the Lawn info).

Thursday, June 23

  • Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • Museum educators will be in the gallery with hands-on fossils for this family-friendly tour exploring life on Earth from the Carboniferous Period to the present. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Friday, June 24

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • State Museum archaeologists will highlight cultural resources impacted by Tropical Storm Agnes 50 years ago. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Nature Journaling (in-person), Saturday, June 25, 10 am-noon, Joseph Priestley House
    • Presented in collaboration with the Ned Smith Nature Center, this program is designed for ages 9 and up to learn how to create a nature journal. The program is free but registration is required; email jphopsmanager@gmail.com or call 570/473-9474 (Journaling event info).
  • Brews & Bites (in-person), Saturday, June 25, 4-8 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • This event features breweries from the Bucks County Ales Trail along with live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations, lawn games, and more on the banks of the Delaware River. General admission is $40 (includes beer tastings); designated driver tickets are $25 (Brews & Bites tickets).
  • Sensory Hours (in-person), Tuesday, June 28, 3-5 pm, Railroad Museum of PA
    • Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff to answer questions. Admission is $7 per person; advance registration required (Sensory Hours tickets).
  • "Room Enough for Them All" (virtual), Tuesday, July 12, 7-8 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Michael Showalter, museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, will present a program on the diverse population of Lancaster County in the late 18th century. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Cornwall lecture info).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual), Sunday, August 14, 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Summer Hours

Posted by Amy Killpatrick Fox on Friday, June 10, 2022
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Tall thin flower stalks (lupines) in shades of pink and purple with 19th-century brick buildings in the background
Lupines in the Rapp House Garden (photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page)

Although it's not officially summer yet, it feels and looks like summer on the Trails of History. Some hours change seasonally, so always be sure to check ahead to make sure you know the schedule. Many of our sites with gardens are coming into their peak season, such as Old Economy Village pictured above. Old Economy has multiple gardens and a greenhouse, tended by staff and volunteers. This summer, the garden behind the Rapp Houses will be the setting for an eclectic music series including classical, blues, jazz, and light opera performed by local bands, orchestras, and vocalists (if it's rainy, concerts will be held in the Feast Hall). Visit Old Economy's Facebook events page for details. And keep an eye on the Trailheads event listings or the PHMC events calendar for more outdoor music events on the Trails of History throughout the summer.

On Saturdays during the month of June, the Pennsylvania Military Museum is including a free 1 pm guided tour with regular admission. While you're on the grounds, check out (from a safe distance) the current project to remount the USS Pennsy guns or explore the military vehicles and monuments.

A midcentury modern building built into a hillside and surrounded by green grass and blue sky. The building has gray wooden siding with touches of mustard; the flat roof looks like a lopsided shallow "v" from the side.
The visitor center at Historic Pithole on a beautiful summer day (photo via Drake Well Facebook page)

The visitor center at Historic Pithole City, which is managed by Drake Well Museum & Park, is now open weekends 10 am-4 pm through August (the grounds are open dawn to dusk year-round). The midcentury modern visitor center (pictured above) contains a theater, museum store, restrooms, and exhibits that explain life in the once-thriving oil boomtown. It is well worth a visit.

What will you find to do on the Trails of History this summer?

Up Next

Today, June 10

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • State Museum director Beth Hager will present a behind-the-scenes look at the new exhibition A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania, opening June 17. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Saturday, June 11

  • 2022 Railfest and Arts on Fire (in-person), 9 am-5 pm, Scranton Iron Furnaces
    • PA Anthracite Heritage Museum and Steamtown National Historic Site are combining two popular events. The event is free, and there will be music, an iron pour, artisans, food trucks, and a community mural project (Railfest/Arts on Fire details).
  • Cast Iron Cooking Demonstration and Band Concert (in-person), 11 am-3 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Cast iron cooking demos will take place (with food samples) between 11 am and 3 pm, and the Keystone Band of Rehrersburg will perform an outdoor concert at 1 pm. Demos and concert are free; regular admission charged for tours of the Furnace. Seating will be limited; visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs (Demo and Concert info).
  • Log Birling Clinic (in-person), 1-3 pm, PA Lumber Museum
    • Join museum staff to learn how to stay on top of a rolling log while your opponent falls off. Registration is required (Clinic info and registration).
  • Lecture (in-person), 2-3 pm, Daniel Boone Homestead
    • Author Michael Wescott Loder will read from and discuss his historical fiction book, Taken Beyond the Ohio: The Indian Captivity of Marie LeRoy and Barbara Leininger. The program will take place in the DeTurk Education Center, near the site entrance from Daniel Boone Road (lecture info).

Sunday, June 12

  • Living History Theater (in-person), noon-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • "A Garden Tour" portrays a 1940s tour of the newly reconstructed estate, with a focus on the landscapes and gardens of Thomas Sears. Tour times are 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15 pm. Included in regular admission (living history theater info).
  • Ephrata's Musical History (in-person), 1:30-2:30 (approx.), Ephrata Cloister
    • Martin Hinkley and Becky Degan, Ephrata Cloister Chorus director and accompanist respectively, will present two short discussions of Ephrata's musical history following the 12:30 and 1:30 tours (which last approx. 1 hour). The music programs are included in regular admission; if you choose not to take a guided tour, you can still join the music program in the meetinghouse (music program info).

Tuesday, June 14

  • Sensory Hours (in-person), 9-11 am, Railroad Museum of PA
    • Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces around the galleries. Several historic trains will be open, with staff to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours tickets).

Friday, June 17

  • Exhibit opening and reception (in-person), 7-9 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • Tonight's event is the debut of A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania, a new long-term exhibit highlighting efforts to end racial segregation in post-WWII PA. Admission is free as part of "3rd in the Burg," and there will be refreshments and music (Exhibit opening details).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Colonial Cocktail Hour, Saturday, June 18, 7-10 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
  • Sensory Friendly Visit, Sunday, June 19, 10 am-noon, PA Military Museum
    • Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).
  • Historical & Archival Records Care Grants webinar (virtual), Tues., June 21, 10 am, PA State Archives
    • Staff will provide an overview of the grant program, define eligibility, and offer suggestions for competitive applications. Offered via Zoom: register for June 21.
  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), Friday, June 24, 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • State Museum archaeologists will highlight cultural resources impacted by Tropical Storm Agnes 50 years ago. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).
  • Brews & Bites, Saturday, June 25, 4-8 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • This event features breweries from the Bucks County Ales Trail along with live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations, lawn games, and more on the banks of the Delaware River. General admission is $40 (includes beer tastings); designated driver tickets are $25 (Brews & Bites tickets).
  • "Room Enough for Them All" (virtual), Tuesday, July 12, 7-8 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Michael Showalter, museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, will present a program on the diverse population of Lancaster County in the late 18th century. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Cornwall lecture info).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual), Sunday, August 14, 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Welcome to June!

Posted by Amy Killpatrick Fox on Friday, June 3, 2022
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Welcome to June!
Closeup of a gold and black bee on purple columbine flowers
Photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page

There's a lot coming up in the weeks ahead. I hope you have a great weekend!

Today, June 3

  • StoryTime (in-person), 10:30-11:30 am, The State Museum of PA
    • Read Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand and make your own windsock to learn about the power of the wind. Included in regular admission (StoryTime info).
  • First Fridays (in-person), 5:30-8:30 pm, Somerset Historical Center
    • Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music and food for purchase from local food trucks. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Parking fee is $5 per car (First Fridays info).

Saturday, June 4

  • PLEASE NOTE: Daniel Boone Homestead will be closed Saturday and Sunday. The grounds will be open as posted.
  • Armies Through the Ages (in-person), 9 am-5 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
    • Military reenactors from the medieval period through World War II will share what it was like to be a soldier in a range of time periods (Armies Thru the Ages info).
  • Ales & Petals/Cars & Motorcycles of England Car Show, 10 am-4 pm, Hope Lodge
    • Family fun includes food (for purchase), classic British cars and motorcycles, and live music. Those age 21+ with photo ID can also enjoy craft beer from Round Guys Brewing (for purchase). Admission for age 13 and up is $10 per person; tickets available in advance (Event info and tickets).

Sunday, June 5

  • Colonial Craft and Demonstration Day (in-person), 11 am-4 pm, Conrad Weiser Homestead
    • 18th-century crafts and living history will be showcased today. At 2 pm, a program on Forest Diplomacy will illuminate interactions between colonists and Native Americans. The event is free; donations welcome (CWH Events page).
  • Historic Trades (in-person), 1-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • Historic trades demonstrators will be eager to talk with visitors as they exhibit their skills. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).

Tuesday, June 7

  • Agnes and the Demise of the Cornwall Iron Mines (virtual), 7-8 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Mike Weber will talk about the history of the Cornwall Iron Mines, leading up to the damage from Tropical Storm Agnes that eventually caused the mines to close in 1973. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Cornwall Iron Mines info and registration).

Wednesday, June 8

  • Archives Without Tears (AWOT) Key Concepts (virtual), 10 am-noon, PA State Archives
  • Sensory-Friendly Visit (in-person), 10 am-3 pm, PA Military Museum
    • Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).
  • Ambler Symphony Concert (in-person), 7-8 pm, Hope Lodge
    • Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics for an evening of music on the lawn. Admission charged. Rain date is June 15 (Concert info).

Thursday, June 9

  • PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase, 7-8 pm
    • This month's theme is "sets of artifacts." Panelists from five Trails of History sites will present objects from their collections, then the audience will vote on their favorite. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Showcase registration).
  • Fabric and Fiber in PA's Forests (virtual), 7-8 pm, PA Lumber Museum
    • Museum staff Josh Roth and Josh Fox will highlight fabric and clothing items in the collection, along with selected images from the photographic archive. The program is free and offered in partnership with the Galeton Worldwide Knitting in Public knitters and fiber artists (Fabric and Fiber info and registration).
  • Ephrata Virtual Academy, 7-8 pm, Ephrata Cloister
    • Author Michael C. Harris will discuss his book, Germantown: A Military History of the Battle for Philadelphia, October 4, 1777. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Virtual Academy registration).

Friday, June 10

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
    • State Museum director Beth Hager will present a behind-the-scenes look at the new exhibition A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania, opening June 17. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Log Birling Clinic (in-person), Saturday, June 11, 1-3 pm, PA Lumber Museum
    • Join museum staff to learn how to stay on top of a rolling log while your opponent falls off. Registration is required (Clinic info and registration).
  • Sensory Hours (in-person), Tuesday, June 14, 9-11 am, Railroad Museum of PA
    • Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces around the galleries. Several historic trains will be open, with staff to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours tickets).
  • Colonial Cocktail Hour, Saturday, June 18, 7-10 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
  • Sensory Friendly Visit, Sunday, June 19, 10 am-noon, PA Military Museum
    • Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).
  • Historical & Archival Records Care Grants webinar (virtual), Tues., June 21, 10 am, PA State Archives
    • Staff will provide an overview of the grant program, define eligibility, and offer suggestions for competitive applications. Offered via Zoom: register for June 21.
  • Brews & Bites, Saturday, June 25, 4-8 pm, Pennsbury Manor
    • This event features breweries from the Bucks County Ales Trail along with live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations, lawn games, and more on the banks of the Delaware River. General admission is $40 (includes beer tastings); designated driver tickets are $25 (Brews & Bites tickets).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual), Sunday, August 14, 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum