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

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