Taking a Break

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
• This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and there are in-person and virtual options. Online registration ends August 8 (Registration info for all categories).

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

• Drake Well Museum & Park
• Discovery Days Camp; Ages 8-12; July 7, 14, 21, & 28

• Joseph Priestley House (updated info)
• Annual History Camp; Grades 1-5; July 27-29

• Pennsbury Manor
• Colonial Camp; Ages 6-8; July 11-15
• Time Travelers Camp; Ages 9-12; July 18-22

• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
• History Camp; Ages 10-18; August 6-7

• Railroad Museum of PA
• Behind the Scenes of Railroading Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; June 28-30
• Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 9-10; July 12-15
• SOLD OUT Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 11-12; July 26-29
• A Moveable Feast Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; Aug. 2-4