Winter is Coming?

A small log building sits in a clearing with fall foliage on surrounding trees and on the ground. There is a light coating of snow on its roof. Several other small buildings and hills in the distance also have a light dusting of snow.
The Webber Cabin and other buildings at the PA Lumber Museum got a light dusting of snow last week (photo via PLM Facebook page)

Yes, I know that a light dusting of snow in the northern tier of Pennsylvania doesn't mean that winter has fully arrived. But we can see it from here. It's just a matter of time. We still have a few Halloween-themed events coming up, but there are already tickets available for some Christmas-themed events, so it's definitely on its way.

A great way to put off thinking about winter is to participate in the PA Humanities Discovery Project survey. PA Humanities wants to gather as much info as possible about "people and organizations across the state who are building community, making space for new voices, sharing stories, uplifting culture, educating, solving problems creatively." They want to get a full picture of who is using the tools of the humanities to make life better and richer in Pennsylvania. If you or someone you know is involved with work that fits any of these categories, please take some time between now and October 31 to respond to the survey. You can find more information and a link to the survey at PA Humanities.org/Discovery.


Gravestone with rounded top, stylized carving of flowers, and Gothic German script
The deadline is fast approaching to get tickets for Ephrata Cloister's Cemetery Tours (see below)

Up Next

Today, October 28

  • Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person); 7-10 pm; Graeme Park
    • Tour the Keith House by lantern light and learn the ghost stories. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are available online at $10, with option for a mini-paranormal investigation for an additional $15. Tickets are probably sold out, but check the link (Graeme Park Lantern Tours info and tickets).

Saturday, October 29

  • Workshops in Archaeology (in-person); 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • This year's program centers around archaeology as a tool for discovering a pathway to the past. Sessions include Indigenous pathways, the Underground Railroad, and African American Civilian Conservation Corps camps. There will also be presentations on flintknapping and the Cultural Resources Geographic Information System (CRGIS). Registration at the door is $35 (Workshop info and registration).
  • After Dark (in-person); 7-9 pm; Old Economy Village
    • This event offers a chance to tour some of the historic buildings after hours with your own hand-held ghost hunting equipment (no costumed figures or scares). Advance tickets only, no large cameras or paranormal equipment, no metal detectors (Old Economy After Dark ticket options).

Sunday, October 30

  • A Halloween Haunting (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Old Economy Village
    • Old Economy's annual trick or treating event for children age 10 and under. Costumed interpreters and guides will greet visitors as they make their way around the site. This event is rain or shine, free, and open to the public; advance registration is requested (OEV Halloween registration).
  • 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).
  • Cemetery Tour (in-person); 2-3 pm; Ephrata Cloister
    • Learn about some of the Ephrata members resting in God's Acre Cemetery through stories designed to captivate but not frighten. To attend a cemetery tour, you'll need a general admission ticket (good throughout the afternoon) PLUS a timed cemetery tour ticket, both of which can be obtained online until 5 pm on Oct. 29 (Oct. 30 Cemetery Tour info and tickets).

Tuesday, November 1

  • Sensory Hours (in-person); 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Sound and light levels will be lowered, and there will be quiet spaces to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (11/1 Sensory Hours tickets).
  • The Harmonist Connection: Town Planning (virtual); Monday, Nov. 1, 7-8 pm; Old Economy Village
    • Michael J. Lewis, professor of art at Williams College and architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal, will present a program based on his longstanding interest in the architecture of the Harmony Society and his work on the history of utopian town planning. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Harmonist Connection info and registration).

Wednesday, November 2

  • Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Explore the history of black bears in PA, the unique adaptations that help them to survive, the senses that black bears rely on, and what happens when black bears interact with humans. For grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

Thursday, November 3

  • Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • This family friendly tour looks at life through time in Pennsylvania. Join Museum Educators to get hands-on with fossils of the plants and animals that roamed Earth during the Carboniferous Period to the present including dinosaurs and mastodons. Included in regular admission (Paleontology Tour info).

Friday, November 4

  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
    • Read ARTby Patrick McDonnell and create your own work of art to display at home. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info).
  • Art of the State Exhibition Tour (in-person); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Enjoy a lunchtime tour of this year's juried art exhibition, featuring works by 92 finalists selected from 1,850 entries. Included in regular admission (AOS Tour info).
  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Join Mary Jo Casalena, PA Game Commission, to learn about the eastern wild turkey found throughout Pennsylvania's forests and more than a few backyards. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 5, 10 am-4 pm; Hope Lodge
    • Lots of military and civilian reenactment activities, open hearth cooking, beer brewing, music, book signings and more. Purchase tickets at the door or buy them ahead online (Whitemarsh Encampment info and tickets).
  • 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 5, 7-10 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • The Moonlighters big band will play live among the historic trains. Dress in vintage 1940s attire, military uniform, or modern party clothes. Light refreshments will be served. Advance tickets available online and highly recommended; a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door (Swing Dance tickets).
  • Cornwall Goes to War (virtual); Tuesday, Nov. 8, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • In honor of Veterans Day, Michael Weber will present an overview the ways Cornwall helped defend the United States during the Seven Years War, Revolutionary War, Whiskey Rebellion, Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean War. Site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a brief discussion. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).
  • Colonial Cocktail Hour (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 19, 7-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
    • Explore the history of England's 18th-century "Gin Craze" and taste test some cocktails of the period 1720-1765 along with some hors d'oeuvres. Must be at least 21 years old to attend. Tickets are $25 and are available online (Cocktail Hour info and tickets).
  • Christmas with the Conductor (in-person); Saturday, Dec. 3, and Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 am and 2 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Do you love a classic holiday story? The Museum conductor will punch your child’s souvenir train ticket and welcome you on board one of the historic railroad cars for a lively reading. Kids then have more fun decorating their own gingerbread cookie in Jack Frost Station and receive a small bag of special goodies to take home. Two 45-minute sessions, one at 11 am and one at 2 pm. For ages 3 and older; children must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian. Space is limited and registration is required. Cost is $10 per child, in addition to regular admission (Dec. 3 info and tickets OR Dec. 10 info and tickets).
  • Late Nite with the Belsnickle! (in-person); Friday, Dec. 16, 7-9 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
    • Holiday-themed crafts, PA Dutch traditions, a visit with Belsnickle, and an adult beverage. Must be at least 21 to attend. Event is rain or shine; dress for the weather, including shoes appropriate for walking the site. Tickets are $40 (Late Nite info and tickets).
  • Putz'n and Brutz'n with the Belsnickle! (in-person); Saturday, Dec. 17, 1-3 pm; Landis Valley Vilage & Farm Museum
    • This family-friendly event includes a walking tour, making a punched tin ornament, light refreshments, a visit with the Belsnickle, and more. The program will be held rain or shine, so please dress for the weather with appropriate shoes. Tickets are $30 for people age 8 and up, $20 for ages 3-7. Space is limited, and reservations are required (Family Belsnickle event).

What a Weekend!

What a Weekend!
Wooden sawmill building supported by stone columns stretches across a creek. Water is churning through the waterwheel at ground level to power the saw. Two people stand on opposite sides of the creek to watch the water.
Demonstrations of Daniel Boone Homestead's water-powered vertical sawmill are just part of the activities at this Sunday's Heritage Day Fall Festival (photo via DBH Facebook)


Things are as busy as ever on the Trails of History in the week ahead. Numerous Halloween-themed and Harvest events; Living History events from the French & Indian War era and the Civil War; art programs; and the latest installment of our PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase series. Check the list below for details and be sure to keep going to see events that need advance reservations or tickets. Don't miss out!

Up Next

Friday, October 21

  • 3rd in the Burg (in-person); 5:30-7:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Admission is free this evening, so come enjoy this year's Art of the State exhibit. Artist and PHMC Commissioner Ophelia Chambliss will lead a tour of the exhibit starting at 6 pm (3rd in the Burg info).
  • Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person); 7-10 pm; Graeme Park
    • Tour the Keith House by lantern light and learn the ghost stories. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are available online at $10, with option for a mini-paranormal investigation for an additional $15. Tickets for tonight mostly sold out as of mid-week; event also takes place Oct. 28 (Graeme Park Lantern Tours info and tickets).

Saturday, October 22

  • Trains & Treats and Artists in Residence (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
  • Civil War Living History: Detachment, US Engineers; Sat., 10 am-4 pm, Sun., Noon-4 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • This living history encampment focuses on the role of US Army engineers during the Civil War. The event takes place outdoors and will be open free to the public 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, Noon-4 pm on Sunday. Regular admission fee applies to tour the furnace (Civil War Living History info).
  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
    • Read Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton, learn how scientists get fossils to a museum, then make an imprint fossil to take home. For ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info).
  • Historical Halloween (in-person); 5-8 pm; Somerset Historical Center
    • Trick-or-treat along lantern-lit paths, visit historic structures and talk to costumed interpreters, take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the woods. Treats will be given out along the way and at the end you can warm up under the pavilion with hot chocolate, maple kettle corn, and fresh-pressed cider. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets are $3 per child; adult chaperones are FREE (Historical Halloween info, including accessibility and food allergen info).
  • Spooky Lantern Tours (in-person); 6:30-8:30 pm; PA Lumber Museum
    • Walk the grounds, listen to not-too-scary ghost stories, and do some trick-or-treating along the way. The museum's program room will have craft activities and refreshments. Tickets are $3 for adults, $1 for youth; members get in free (Spooky Lantern Tours info).

Sunday, October 23

  • Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
    • Bring your needlecraft projects and enjoy some company while you work. The event is free and open to the public (Sewing Circle info).
  • Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
    • Open hearth cooking will be going on as well as a display about a soldier from Gen. Peter Muhlenberg's troops, the German Regiment. At 2 pm, David Sonnen will lead a walk through the park. The event is free and open to the public (Living History Sunday info).
  • Heritage Day Fall Festival (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
    • Demos include blacksmithing, gunbuilding, leatherworking, hearth cooking and more. The water-powered sawmill will be operated at 1 and 3, and there will be a craft and specialty food vendors, as well as children's activities. Admission charged; free for members (Heritage Day info).
  • Tricks & Treats (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • Lots of family-friendly activities including cider pressing, fall crafts, and trick-or-treating around the site, and more. There will be a recreation of the 1683 witch trial of Margaret Mattson. Children are encouraged (but not required) to come dressed in their favorite costumes. This is a free event; regular admission applies to tour the Manor House. Advance registration is recommended (Tricks & Treats info and registration).
  • Cemetery Tour (in-person); 2-3 pm; Ephrata Cloister
    • Learn about some of the Ephrata members resting in God's Acre Cemetery through stories designed to captivate but not frighten. To attend a cemetery tour, you'll need a general admission ticket (good throughout the afternoon) PLUS a timed cemetery tour ticket, both of which can be obtained online (Oct. 23 Cemetery Tour info and tickets). This event will also be offered on October 30 (Oct. 30 Cemetery Tour info and tickets).

Text says "What's in a theme? PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; Theme: Photographs; Wednesday, October 26, 7 pm ET" Link to register is in calendar listing below

Wednesday, October 26

  • Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall Restoration (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Explore the exhibit on the history of Mammal Hall and behind-the-scenes info on the 3-year restoration project that was completed in 2018. Included in regular admission (Family Gallery Tour info).
  • PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (virtual); 7-8 pm
    • This month's theme is "Photographs." Panelists from various Trails of History sites will have 5 minutes to present something from their collections, then the audience votes on their favorite. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Collections Showcase registration).

Thursday, October 27

  • Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about where colors come from. Test your color mixing skills using different types of pigments. For grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).
  • Quarterly Lecture Series (in-person); 7-9 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
    • Site administrator David Blackburn will present "Memorializing Martin Luther in his Hometown," exploring a brief history of Wittenberg, Germany, and the way the complex story of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation are shared with the public. The program is free, but reservations are required (Landis Valley lecture info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person); Friday, Oct. 28, 7-10 pm; Graeme Park
    • Tour the Keith House by lantern light and learn the ghost stories. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are available online at $10, with option for a mini-paranormal investigation for an additional $15. Limited ticket availability as of Oct. 19 (Graeme Park Lantern Tours info and tickets).
  • Workshops in Archaeology (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • This year's program centers around archaeology as a tool for discovering a pathway to the past. Sessions include Indigenous pathways, the Underground Railroad, and African American Civilian Conservation Corps camps. There will also be presentations on flintknapping and the Cultural Resources Geographic Information System (CRGIS). Early bird registration by Oct. 24 is $25 with an option to pre-order a bagged lunch; discounts for students and members of PA Heritage Foundation, Soc. for PA Archaeology, and PA Archaeological Council (Workshop info and registration).
  • After Dark (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 29, 7-9 pm; Old Economy Village
    • This event offers a chance to tour some of the historic buildings after hours with your own hand-held ghost hunting equipment (no costumed figures or scares). Advance tickets only, no large cameras or paranormal equipment, no metal detectors (Old Economy After Dark ticket options).
  • A Halloween Haunting (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 30, Noon-3 pm; Old Economy Village
    • Old Economy's annual trick or treating event for children age 10 and under. Costumed interpreters and guides will greet visitors as they make their way around the site. This event is rain or shine, free, and open to the public; advance registration is requested (OEV Halloween registration).
  • The Harmonist Connection: Town Planning (virtual); Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7-8 pm; Old Economy Village
    • Michael J. Lewis, professor of art at Williams College and architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal, will present a program based on his longstanding interest in the architecture of the Harmony Society and his work on the history of utopian town planning. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Harmonist Connection info and registration).
  • 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 5, 7-10 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • The Moonlighters big band will play live among the historic trains. Dress in vintage 1940s attire, military uniform, or modern party clothes. Light refreshments will be served. Advance tickets available online and highly recommended; a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door (Swing Dance tickets).

Trailheads on Hiatus

Trailheads on Hiatus
Viewer is looking down a gravel path toward the rear porch of Rapp House. The steeple of St John's Church is visible above the porch roof. To the left is a row of purple and orange flowers and other fall colors are visible in the garden.
Fall colors are starting to show in the Rapp House Garden at Old Economy Village (via OEV Facebook page)

Trailheads is on a short break and will return with fresh posts starting Oct. 21.

Please note that most Trails of History sites will be closed for the holiday on October 10.

The list below was accurate as of late September, but as you know, things can change. Please check with sites via website or social media to be sure of details and ticket availability.

Up Next

Friday, October 7

  • Apple Dumpling Sales (in-person); Friday & Saturday, times vary; Ephrata Cloister
    • Purchase delicious locally made apple dumplings and support the Back to the Cloister Fund. Dumplings are $5 each; in-person sales are Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 9 am until dumplings are sold out. Prepaid orders of 10 or more dumplings can be placed online for pickup at the site, and delivery is available within 10 miles of Ephrata Cloister for orders of 20 or more dumplings (Ephrata website for details).
  • StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
    • Read Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton and learn how scientists get fossils to a museum, then make an imprint fossil to take home. 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).

Saturday, October 8

  • Fall Antique Show & Sawmill Run (in-person); Saturday & Sunday, 9 am-5 pm; PA Lumber Museum
    • A selection of historic trade demonstrations, including a run of the museum's birch still, will take place both days. On Saturday only, the museum's recreated 19th-century steam-powered circular sawmill will be operating. Vendors will be on hand with a variety of wares, and food and drink will be available for purchase. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for youth (Antique Show & Sawmill Run info).
  • Harvest Days (in-person); Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-5 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
    • Demonstrations, exhibits, live music, and activities, as well as horse-drawn wagon rides and a children's discovery tent. Taste heirloom varieties of apples, watch wool go from sheep to shawl, pick and decorate your own pumpkin. Admission charged (Harvest Days info).
  • Battle of Huertgen Forest (in-person); 2-3:30 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Maj. Gen. John Gronski (retired) will present "The Battle of Huertgen Forest: The Attack on Schmidt" using primary source research and his perspective as a former combat commander. The lecture is free; donations appreciated. Seating is first come, first served (Huertgen Forest lecture info).
  • Haunted History Hayride (in-person); 7-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
    • Visitors will tour the battlefield on hay wagons, with stops along the way where reenactors portray 18th-century characters. There may be ghosts and goblins lurking, so this tour may be too scary for children under the age of 4. Admission is $10 for age 13 and up, $5 for age 4-12, and includes entry to the Visitor Center and Museum; concessions will be available in the Stone Room. Rain date for this event is Oct. 22; in the event of inclement weather on the 22nd, there will be a Haunted History Tour through the museum (Haunted Hayride tickets).

Sunday, October 9

  • Living History Theatre (in-person); noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • You are invited to witness the marriage of John Sotcher, Pennsbury's steward, and Mary Lofty, the Penns' housekeeper. Observe the late 17th-century Quaker customs, sign the wedding certificate, and chat with wedding guests. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).
  • Garden Railway Tours (in-person); 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Enjoy a self-guided tour of operating model trains in various outdoor and garden settings at 7 stops around Lancaster County. Masking and social distancing may be required or requested a venues. Tickets are $10 for ages 6 and up, available only via Eventbrite. Location info will be sent after you purchase your ticket (Garden Railway Tour tickets).

Tuesday, October 11

  • The Farms of the Gettysburg Battlefield (virtual); 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
    • Tom Lehman will explore the stories of civilians in and around Gettysburg and how their lives were changed the Civil War battle on their doorsteps. Site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a brief discussion. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Gettysburg lecture registration).

Wednesday, October 12

  • Lunch & Learn (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Graeme Park
    • Jim Miller, retired professor of biology at Delaware Valley Univ., will present "Typhoid Mary, Irish Immigrant," exploring the misunderstood history of Mary Mallon and the social policies that resulted from the typhoid outbreak. Cost is $35 per person, which includes continental breakfast, lecture, lunch, and a tour of the Keith House (Lunch & Learn tickets).
  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Background sound effects in the gallery will be turned off and volume on the orientation video will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Register in advance for a timeslot; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select Oct. 12 on calendar).
  • Life Through Time Gallery Tour (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Museum educators will be on hand to help visitors learn about life on Earth from the Pre-Cambrian to the present. The program is geared for adults and is included in regular admission. Please check in at the Ground Floor Info Desk to confirm tour start location (Life Through Time tour info).

Thursday, October 13

  • Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about colors and shapes in Fall leaves, the difference between evergreen and decidious trees, and different types of trees found in PA. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Friday, October 14

  • Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Maria Gorgo-Gourovitch, Penn State Extension educator, will talk about the history of mushroom farms in PA, their economic impact, current production data, crop production cycle, sustainability, and nutrition facts. The program is free, but you must register to get the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Saturday, October 15

  • Great Pumpkin (in-person); 10 am-1 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Come dressed as your favorite animal, superhero, ghost, or museum icon (if you want to) and play holiday games, make crafts, and more. Included in regular admission. Limited timed tickets will be available at the front desk for Curiosity Connection, and Planetarium tickets will be $3 (Great Pumpkin info).
  • Architecture Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
    • Special tours highlighting distinctive architectural features, an exhibit on the site's restoration, and limited tours of the unrestored upper floors of the Sisters' House (Saron). Check the website for updates on admission fees and registration (Architecture Day info).
  • Patriots Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
    • Rev War era military and civilian reenactors will be on site, there will be colonial trades and cooking demonstrations, and tours of the Ring House and Gilpin House will be offered. Tickets are $12 for adults (age 12+), $10 for seniors/AAA/AARP, $8 for youth age 3-11 (Patriots Day info).
  • George "Nessmuk" Sears Documentary (in-person); 1-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
    • The museum will screen the documentary Nessmuk: In Defense of Nature in the Pennsylvania Wilds, which explores the life and ideas of outdoorsman and early conservationist George "Nessmuk" Sers. Writer, director, and producer Gale Langley will be on hand to introduce the film and answer questions after the screening (Nessmuk documentary info).
  • Mapping Technology Goes to War (in-person); 2-3:30 pm; PA Military Museum
    • Dr. Fritz Kessler, PSU Geography Dept., will present a lecture about mapping technology and its use in combat, drawing on examples such as GIS, cartography, remote sensing, GPS, and coordinate systems. The lecture is free; donations appreciated (Mapping lecture info).

Sunday, October 16

  • Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
    • Background sound effects in the gallery will be turned off and volume on the orientation video will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Register in advance for a timeslot; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select Oct. 16).
  • Open Hearth Cooking Demo (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
    • The cooks will prepare and present a complete seasonal dinner as it would have been served to William Penn. Included in regular admission (Open Hearth Cooking info).

Tuesday, October 18

  • Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
    • Reduced noise, light, and attendance plus quiet spaces when you want a break. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about several of the historic trains open for visitors. Advance tickets required (RMP Sensory Hours Oct. 18 tickets).
  • Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); 7-9 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
    • Historian, author, and teacher Michael C. Harris will present "Germantown: A Military History of the Battle for Philadelphia," which occurred on October 4, 1777. Tickets are $20 (Rev Speaker Series info and tickets).

Wednesday, October 19

  • Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • Learn about artifacts from the archaeological dig at Fort Hunter and what they tell us about hundreds of years of occupation at the site. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (Explore! info).

Thursday, October 20

  • Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA

Friday, October 21

  • SOLD OUT Harvest, Death & Renewal (in-person); 6:30-8:30 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
    • This program explores traditions of the PA Germans, including funeral and burial customs, powwowing, healing, and hexes. Recommended for adults and older teens, the event involves two hours of walking around a cemetery and the Museum grounds. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and shoes and bring a flashlight. Tickets are $28 per person; reservations are required (Harvest, Death & Renewal info and tickets).
  • Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person); 7-10 pm; Graeme Park
    • Tour the Keith House by lantern light and learn the ghost stories. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are available online at $10, with option for a mini-paranormal investigation for an additional $15. Event also takes place Oct. 28 (Graeme Park Lantern Tours info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

  • Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 22, 6:30-9:30 pm; Hope Lodge
    • This immersive tour investigates a claim of witchcraft, which was outlawed in Pennsylvania from 1718 until the 1750s. Tours are outdoors, rain or shine, and are recommended for ages 7 and up. Please be prepared for uneven ground and bring a flashlight. Tours will be limited to 10 guests at a time and will run every half hour from 6:30 to 9:30 (Hope Lodge Lantern Tours info and tickets).
  • Quarterly Lecture Series (in-person); Thursday, Oct. 27, 7-9 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
    • Site administrator David Blackburn will present "Memorializing Martin Luther in his Hometown," exploring a brief history of Wittenberg, Germany, and the way the complex story of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation are shared with the public. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors (free for members), and are available online (Landis Valley lecture info and tickets).
  • Workshops in Archaeology (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
    • This year's program centers around archaeology as a tool for discovering a pathway to the past. Sessions include Indigenous pathways, the Underground Railroad, and African American Civilian Conservation Corps camps. There will also be presentations on flintknapping and the Cultural Resources Geographic Information System (CRGIS). Early bird registration by Oct. 24 is $25 with an option to pre-order a bagged lunch; discounts for students and members of PA Heritage Foundation, Soc. for PA Archaeology, and PA Archaeological Council (Workshop info and registration).
  • 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 5, 7-10 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
    • The Moonlighters big band will play live among the historic trains. Dress in vintage 1940s attire, military uniform, or modern party clothes. Light refreshments will be served. Advance tickets available online and highly recommended; a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door (Swing Dance tickets).