New Exhibits on the Trails of History

As summer winds down on the Trails of History, several new exhibits have recently opened or are currently in the works. Curators, historians, craftspeople, and partner organizations have developed these exhibits to share a variety of stories about Pennsylvania and U.S. history, using images, art, and other objects. Some are on temporary display, others will be available long-term.

Just prior to Juneteenth, The State Museum of Pennsylvania opened A Place for All, which explores three stories of racial integration efforts in the Philadelphia area and Pittsburgh. Drawing on research by PHMC historian Eric Ledell Smith (1949-2008), Museum staff combined three stories into a single exhibit and tied them together with additional context. The result provides powerful insights into the Civil Rights Movement in Pennsylvania and features some of the key participants in fighting for racial equality. The exhibit is open during regular hours and included in general admission; it is expected to remain on view for the foreseeable future.

Fort Pitt Museum recently launched a new exhibit, Guyasuta: The Life and Legend of a Seneca Chief. Visitors will learn about the American Indian leader’s allyship with George Washington just before the French and Indian War began and see the bronze maquette for Jim West's “Points of View” sculpture that overlooks Pittsburgh from its perch on Mt. Washington. The exhibit is included in regular admission.

Last weekend, Pennsbury Manor welcomed a new traveling quilt exhibit celebrating the life and contributions of American hero Harriet Tubman. Dreams of Freedom: The Threads That Hold Us Together was organized by the Sankofa Artisans Guild (SAG) and includes quilts submitted by artists and crafters from around the country. The quilts depict scenes and themes honoring Tubman's life and legacy. Included in regular admission, the exhibit will be available for viewing in the Crozier House Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm, through November.

Photo via Drake Well Facebook page

Work continues on the restoration of a replica Densmore Tank Car at Drake Well Museum and Park. Created in 1959 to celebrate the centennial of Edwin Drake's successful oil well, the car was an important part of the Museum's oil transportation exhibits. By the 1990s, however, it was in poor condition and needed significant work. Over the past year or more, staff and volunteers have rebuilt the car's platform and built a new, coopered wooden oil tank (see above). Drake Well posted some images on Facebook in February and earlier this week. Once the restoration work is complete, the Densmore Tank Car will resume its role helping to teach visitors about the history of getting oil from the well to the refinery. You can read more about Densmore Tank Cars in this 1985 article in Pennsylvania Heritage magazine.

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, August 13

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. According to info at the link, all non-member tickets are sold out, but it's probably worth checking just in case (Armored tour tickets).

• Extended Evening Hours (in-person); 4-7 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Enjoy a late-in-the-day visit. Guided tours at 4, 5, and 6; self-guided tours also an option. Regular admission rates apply, and the Museum Store will be open (Ephrata Cloister info).

Sunday, August 14

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be reduced (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please reserve your timeslot, you can pay when you arrive (go to PMM online booking calendar and select Aug. 14).

• Living History Theatre (in-person); noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Yellow Fever has struck William Penn's colony, and it is a terrifying and mysterious threat. Learn about the precautions taken by Pennsbury's residents and others in the area. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).

• Second Sunday Beer Garden (in-person); 1-5 pm; Hope Lodge
• Round Guys Brewing Company will be pouring beer under the tent. Guided tours of the Mansion will be available (as they are most Sundays through October) at 1 and 2:30 (Hope Lodge info).

Tuesday, August 16

• 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 Mustard & Ketchup. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 16 Garden workshop info).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; 5-6 pm; Old Economy Village
• This virtual visit to Old Economy will show you the wide variety of things to see and do. The program is part of the Heinz Center Affiliate Program Experience Kits initiative. Please register to receive the link (OEV Museum Spotlight registration).

• Music on the Lawn (in-person); 7-? pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Tonight's event features "9 Degrees of Syncopation," which recreates the jazz music of Django Reinhardt. Please bring lawn chairs for seating. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 265 Point Township Dr. in Northumberland (Music on the Lawn info).

Wednesday, August 17

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about the science of ornithology, the study of birds. 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).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is "Fine and Folk Art." Panelists from five Trails of History sites will present objects, and then the audience votes on their favorite. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Showcase registration).

Thursday, August 18

• 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 to 8, but all are welcome. Cost is $3, which is a grounds pass; additional fee charged to tour the Manor House (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will be on hand to help visitors explore PA's transportation history. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

• Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); 7-8 pm EDT
• The Oil Museum of Canada will offer a virtual visit to Drake Well Museum & Park with museum educator Sarah Goodman. The program is free, but you'll need to register to get the link (Drake Well at Oil Museum of Canada info and tickets).

Friday, August 19

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Chris Kemmerer from the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources will present a virtual program about PA's state parks. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); final workshop, Tues., Aug. 23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - the topic is Seed Saving. 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 (Aug. 23 Garden workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 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. 23 Sensory Hours tickets).

• Tall Ships Erie (in-person); Thurs., Aug. 25, to Sun., Aug. 28; Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara
• Festivities start Aug. 25 at 4 pm with the Parade of Sails, a free event featuring tall ships from around the Great Lakes. Ticketed activities continue 10 am to 6 pm Aug. 26-28 and are based along the waterfront (Tall Ships Erie info and tickets).

• 12th Annual Crush & Brew (in-person); Sat., Sept. 10, 5-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Wine & beer from local breweries, home brews, and more, as well as food trucks and live music. Event is presented in cooperation with the Ambridge Historic District. Tickets are $30, which includes tasting glass, a food voucher, and admission to the off-site afterparty (Crush & Brew info and tickets).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); Fri., Oct. 21, 6:30 and 8:30; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• This program explores funeral and burial customs, powwowing, healing and hexes. It is recommended for adults and older teens. The event involves two hours of walking around a cemetery and the Museum grounds, so please dress for the weather (including your shoes) and bring a flashlight. Tickets are $28 per person and must be purchased in advance (Harvest, Death & Renewal event info and tickets).