Looking to August

Looking to August
Three reenactors in Vietnam era US military attire with helmets, a radio, and a rifle
Photo courtesy PA Military Museum

Summer's halfway over, but there's still plenty to do on the Trails of History. It should be a bit cooler this weekend, so I hope you'll find something to entertain and educate.


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.

Saturday, July 30

  • Life Under the Canopy: The Vietnam War (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Walk through a military camp and talk to living historians about the war in Southeast Asia. The event is free; donations welcome (Life Under the Canopy info).
  • Book Talk & Signing (in-person); 1-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
    • William Marcum will talk about his book, The Foreman's Boys, which explores Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1333 and Camp S-63 Poe Valley. Copies of the book will be available in the museum store for purchase and signing (Book Talk info).

Sunday, July 31

  • Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person); noon-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
    • Bring your needlecraft projects and enjoy some company while you work. This event is free and open to the public (Sewing Circle info).
  • Animals at Pennsbury (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor

Tuesday, August 2

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - today's topic is making salve with calendula. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 2 garden workshop).

Wednesday, August 3

  • Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about the science of paleontology and how paleontologists study and preserve fossils. Included in regular admission (Explore! info).

Children and adults stand on brick pathways that run between garden beds with herbs and flowers
Photo via Pennsbury Manor Facebook page

Thursday, August 4

  • Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Enjoy a story with the gardener, then explore the grounds. Suggested for ages 4-8 but all are welcome. Cost is $3, which is a grounds pass; additional fee to tour the Manor House (Pennsbury Storytime info).
  • Games and Puzzles of the 1950s and 1960s; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Test your skills with a Barrel of Monkeys and the Hula Hoop and see if you can walk a Slinky down the stairs. Included in regular admission (Games and Puzzles info).

Friday, August 5

  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
    • Wear your best tea party hat or helmet to read Molly Idle's Tea Rex. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).
  • Sawmill demo (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
    • Weather permitting, staff at Daniel Boone Homestead will demonstrate the water-powered Bertolet Sawmill, which was moved to the Homestead from its original Berks County site in 1972 (DBH info and a short video preview of what the mill looks and sounds like in operation).
  • 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 vendors. Some covered seating is provided but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 (First Fridays info).
  • Summer Movie Night (in-person); 6-9:30 pm (approx); Railroad Museum of PA
    • Watch Night at the Museum (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and ice cream. Advance tickets are $10 each for ages 3+, $15 at the door. Tickets include museum admission from 6 pm until the movie starts outside on the lawn at dusk. Please bring your own lawn seating (Movie Night info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., Aug. 9-23, 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).
  • Virtual Museum Spotlight; Tues., Aug. 9, 5-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
    • Make a virtual visit to Somerset Historical Center and learn all the site has to offer. The program is free as part of the Heinz Center Affiliates Program; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Museum Spotlight info and registration).
  • The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); Tues., Aug. 9, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).
  • Sensory Hours (in-person); Tues., Aug. 9, 9-11 am, and Tues., Aug. 23, 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 from the activity. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Aug. 9 Sensory Hours or Aug. 23 Sensory Hours).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Aug. 10, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Aug. 14, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
  • Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park
  • Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); Thurs., Aug. 18, 7-8 pm EDT

Potpourri

Potpourri
Purple columbine growing against a rough wooden fence. Two log buildings are in the background.
Columbine in the garden at the Log Farm (photo via Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Facebook page)

It' a little bit of this and a little bit of that this week. Stay cool out there.

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (pictured above) has posted a bunch of new craft classes on their Facebook page, ranging from needlecrafts to woodworking and pottery. If you're looking to try some new skills or build existing ones, this is a great place to start (LVM Facebook page).

One-story stone house with central door and two windows with white shutters on each side.
Photo via Conrad Weiser Homestead Facebook page

Conrad Weiser Homestead is assisting the Myerstown Community Library by serving as a drop-off spot for gently used books (no encyclopedias, please) for their Fall book sale. If you live in the Womelsdorf area or are planning to visit the site, you can drop off a box (marked for the library) during regular operating hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm, and Sundays, noon-4 pm, through the end of August. CWH also shared that Lynn Otto, a long-time volunteer and board member, appeared on "PA Dutch Live," a YouTube show hosted by Douglas Madenford, to talk about the French & Indian War and the Weiser Homestead.

T-shirt, tote bag, and sticker with "Taste of Taxation, 1794" logo
"Taste of Taxation" merch (photo via PA Military Museum Facebook page)

Last weekend, the PA Military Museum hosted "Taste of Taxation," a program featuring history presentations about whiskey distilling in Pennsylvania and the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion in southwestern PA. The museum partnered with Big Spring Spirits in Bellefonte, who provided attendees with a whiskey tasting and produced specially labeled bottles of their small batch rye whiskey for sale (more event photos on PMM's Facebook page).

Outdoor exhibit panel with map and text mounted on concrete pad. The repro of Drake's wooden derrick is in the background.
Photo via Drake Well Museum & Park Facebook page

A new outdoor story map at Drake Well Museum and Park helps visitors learn more about the exhibits on the grounds, including a wide range of oilfield equipment. Check it out the next time you're in northwestern PA.

Folded paper stars in various sizes and colors
Photo via Ephrata Cloister Facebook page

Ephrata Cloister's Museum Store is looking for volunteers to make Moravian paper stars to replenish their supply. They'll provide the materials, you provide the folding. A helpful person shared a tutorial in a comment on the store's Facebook post, but I prefer this tutorial that Pennsbury Manor posted back in December of 2020 as part of "Holly Nights at Home." I found it a bit easier to follow.

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.

Saturday, July 23

  • Laquin: Behind the Photos (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
    • Matthew Carl, president of LeRoy Heritage Museum and executive director of the Bradford Counth Historical Society, will bring the lumber town of Laquin to live using over 100 images from the past and present (Laquin lecture info).

Sunday, July 24

  • Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • Explore the recipes and plants that helped feed Pennsbury's early residents. Included in regular admission (Garden Highlights info).
  • Summer Concert Series (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
    • UPDATE Betty Douglas will perform a concert with other jazz musicians in the Feast Hall. Concert is free; a $5 donation is suggested. Please bring chairs for seating (Concert Series info).

Tuesday, July 26

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - today's topic is Water. 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 (7/26 Garden Workshop info).

Wednesday, July 27

  • Annual History Camp (in-person); 7/27-29, 9 am-noon; Joseph Priestley House
    • Camp activities focus on the life of Dr. Joseph Priestley. Fee is $10 per day. Contact the Friends of Joseph Priestley House at jphopsmanager@gmail.com to register (Priestley History Camp info).
  • Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Using hands-on objects, museum educators will help families explore the Mammal Hall dioramas together. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, July 28

  • Discovery Days Camp (in-person); 9 am-4 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
    • Today is the final day of camp and students will explore the lumber industry in the Titusville area. Cost is $20, if you didn't register for previous camp days this month (Discovery Days info and registration).
  • Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Enjoy a story with the gardener, then explore the grounds. Suggested for ages 4-8, but all are welcome. Cost is $3, which is a grounds pass; there is an additional fee to tour the Manor House (Pennsbury Storytime info).
  • Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Explore the General Store exhibit and learn how people used to shop and what they bought. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., Aug. 2-23, 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).
  • Summer Movie Night (in-person); Fri., Aug. 5, 6-9:30 pm (approx); Railroad Museum of PA
    • Watch Night at the Museum (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and ice cream. Advance tickets are $10 each for ages 3+, $15 at the door. Tickets include museum admission from 6 pm until the movie starts outside on the lawn at dusk. Please bring your own lawn seating (Movie Night info and tickets).
  • Virtual Museum Spotlight; Tues., Aug. 9, 5-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
    • Make a virtual visit to Somerset Historical Center and learn all the site has to offer. The program is free as part of the Heinz Center Affiliates Program; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Museum Spotlight info and registration).
  • The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); Tues., Aug. 9, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Aug. 10, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Aug. 14, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
  • Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

Good Times!

Good Times!
To the left a family poses for a photo dressed in 19th-century style hats, bonnets, dresses, and vests. To the right, a man in a green polo shirt aims his camera at the group. Racks and boxes of clothing choices are in the upper right corner.
Visitors to Wildcatter Days last Saturday at Historic Pithole enjoyed the old-time photo booth (for more photos of Wildcatter Days, visit Drake Well's Facebook page)

As always this time of year, there's a lot to do at our sites and museums in the coming weeks. We list special events and programs on Trailheads, but every visit to a Trails of History site is special. Why not make some lasting memories with family and friends? Or spend some quality "me" time enjoying a lovely garden or learning about the lives of people from the past? You'll find all our sites, and links to their schedules, on our website at PATrailsofHistory.com.

And if the summer heat isn't your style, check out the Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen (when looking at the top of this post) or PHMC's YouTube channel. Whatever you choose, (even if it isn't on the Trails of History), I hope you have some time to rest and recharge.

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.

Saturday, July 16

  • Civil War Weekend (in-person); Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday noon-4 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
    • There will be military and civilian reenactors, presentations on Civil War medicine, hands-on activities for children, and more. Admission charged (Civil War Weekend info).
  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30; The State Museum of PA
    • Read John, Paul, George & Ben, discover 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 (SMOP StoryTime info).
  • Hidden Sounds Musical Program (in-person); 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); 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).

Sunday, July 17

  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 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 (select July 17 on PMM program calendar at this link).
  • Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • The cooks are starting to preserve some of the summer harvest. Included in regular admission (Open Hearth Cooking info).
  • Reading & Book Signing (in-person); 2-3 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
    • Author Alicia Puglionesi will read from and sign copies of her new book, In Whose Ruins: Power, Possession, and the Landscapes of American Empire (book signing info).

Tuesday, July 19

  • 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 if you need a break. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (RMP Sensory Hours info and tickets).
  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Today's topic is medicinal herbs. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop info).

Wednesday, July 20

  • Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about the fish of PA's waterways, their habitats, behavior, conservation, and the traditional Japanese method of fish printing, gyotaku. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (Explore! info).
  • History Speaks Series (in-person); 7-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield

Thursday, July 21

  • Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Museum educators will use 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).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., July 26-Aug. 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).
  • The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); Tues., Aug. 9, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Aug. 10, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Aug. 14, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
  • Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).
  • Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park

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

  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

So Much To Do

So Much To Do
Looking out a window to a bright blue sky and down onto trees in a garden and several two-story brick historic buildings
View of the George Rapp Garden and buildings on the Cobblestone Street at Old Economy Village (photo via OEV Facebook page)

Here's what's Up Next in the coming weeks on the PA Trails of History (please note that schedules are subject to change, tickets/spaces sell out, etc.). It's always best to check the PHMC Events Calendar or with a specific site to make sure you have the most updated information.

Today, 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).

Saturday, July 9

  • Car Cruise with Market Day and Book Sale (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
    • Classic and custom vehicles in the parking lot, vendors with handmade items and other wares, and a book sale in the Stone Room. Plus music, food and drink, and raffles (Car Cruise, etc. info).
  • Wildcatter Festival at Pithole (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Historic Pithole
    • Come explore PA's legendary oil boomtown and enjoy guided tours, living history, and more. Tickets: $10 (age 18-61), $8 (age 62+), $5 (age 3-17) - Friends of Drake Well receive $2 discount on each ticket (Wildcatter Festival info).

Sunday, July 10

  • Living History Theatre (in-person); noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • "The Germantown Protest" explores the beginnings of the anti-slavery movement among Quakers in the Philadelphia area. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15 pm. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).
  • The Funeral of Conrad Weiser (in-person); 2-3 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
    • This living history program will simulate the funeral of Conrad Weiser. Please bring lawn chairs for seating; there will be a canopy for shade (Conrad Weiser Homestead info).
  • Summer Concert Series (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
    • Baritone soloist David Hodge will perform, accompanied by David Crisci at the piano and the Reverend Rodney Smith on drums. The concert is free; $5 donation suggested. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating (Summer Concert Series info).

Tuesday, July 12

  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Today's topic is Flower Arrangements. Open to ages 12 and up, cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 (7/12 Workshop info).

Wednesday, July 13

  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Exhibit noises in the gallery will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please register for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (July 13 visit registration).
  • Family Gallery Tour: PA Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Visit the museum's Transportation Gallery to learn about how transportation has changed over time. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, July 14

  • Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
    • Enjoy a story with the gardener, then explore the grounds. Suggested for ages 4-8, but all are welcome. Cost is $3, which is a grounds pass; additional fee to tour the Manor House (Pennsbury Storytime info).
  • Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Visit Nature Lab to find out how density impacts the ability of an object to sink or float. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).
  • PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; 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).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • 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).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 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 17 visit registration).
  • Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, July 19, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours info and tickets).
  • Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tuesdays, July 19-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).
  • 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