Retail Therapy on the Trails of History

Before we get to the post-Thanksgiving fun, please note that all Trails of History sites will be closed tomorrow, November 24. Only Fort Pitt Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be open on Friday, November 25. All of us here at Trailheads HQ wish you and yours a meaningful and restful holiday filled with family, friends, and good food.

But, come the weekend, we invite you to "shop 'til you drop" and take in some history as well. For Small Business Saturday and Museum Store Sunday, participating Trails of History sites will offer discounts or perks to thank you for shopping on site. Whether you're looking for books, handmade pottery and textiles from local artisans, delicious food items, and much, much more, Trails of History museum stores are a great place to shop. And while we'd love to have you also tour the sites to experience the many and varied stories of Pennsylvania, you don't need an admission ticket to visit our museum stores. How many can you visit in a weekend? Check out the list of participating sites and lace up your skates!

Up Next

Saturday, November 26

• Christmas in the Colonies (in-person); 3-6 pm; Graeme Park
• Christmas in the colonies was celebrated differently, and sometimes not at all, by each ethnic group who settled here, bringing traditions from their homeland. Graeme Park was home to the Scottish Keith and Graeme families, Irish and German servants, enslaved workers, and later the Quaker Penroses. As you tour the rooms of the Keith House, costumed actors will present these different traditions to you – some you will recognize in our modern-day celebrations or maybe you’ll discover something new to incorporate into your own traditions. Part of the tour will also feature the Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble performing traditional parlor dances, Noah Lewis playing Ned Hector and telling you about the life of a free black soldier, and Santa will be on the grounds for selfies with the kids. Tickets are $12 for age 13+, $8 for age 6-12 and Friends members (Christmas in the Colonies info).

• Candlelight Open House (in-person); 5-8:30 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few minutes or hours visiting with local craftsmen as they share their stories and wares. Included in the evening’s event will be Fraktur calligraphy by Emily Smucker-Beidler, and Matt and Elaine Vardjan of Pennsylvania Folk Art Papers showing paper stars and block prints. Additionally, demonstrations will be provided by local spinners and the letterpress will be working in the Printing Office. The whole family can become craftsmen making small treasure boxes just the size for stocking stuffers. The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will be singing a short program at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30, and the Woodlands Trio will add to the sounds of the evening at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00. Tickets are $7 for ages 3 and up, available online or at the door (Candlelight Open House info and tickets).

Sunday, November 27

• Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Bring your needlecraft projects and enjoy the company of others while you work. The event is free and open to the public (Sewing Circle info).

Wednesday, November 30

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This family friendly tour looks at the animals in the Mammal Hall dioramas. Using hands on objects, a museum educator will help you explore more about these animals, their habitats and how adaptations allow these animals to live within Pennsylvania. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall tour info).

Thursday, December 1

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join Museum Educators in Nature Lab as we learn about dinosaurs. Explore what makes a dinosaur different from other pre-historic reptiles and the different types of dinosaurs that existed. Craft your own “I-built-osaurus” dinosaur model to take home. 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).

• Holly Nights (in-person); Thursday and Friday, 6-9 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Come and experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. There will be music, tours, craft demos, and a visit with Father Christmas. The event runs 6-9 pm both nights. Tickets: Adults, $14; Seniors, $12; Children age 4+, $6. Tickets can be purchased at the door or ahead of time via Eventbrite (Holly Nights ticket link).

Friday, December 2

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett and create a day/night wheel to explore more about the dark. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (StoryTime info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• SOLD OUT Children's Christmas Party (in-person); Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-4 pm
• A holiday party with games, crafts, entertainment, and a visit from Santa. Geared for ages 5 to 12. Tickets ($5) on sale now (Christmas Party tickets).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, Dec. 9, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Dr. Houping Liu, forest entomologist with the PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources, will talk about the Eastern hemlock tree and hemlock woolly adelgid management. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

• Holidays at Hope Lodge & Colonial Tavern (in-person); Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 am-4 pm; Hope Lodge
• Enjoy a self-guided tour of the mansion with holiday decorations and music by members of the Ambler Symphony Orchestra (noon-2 pm). Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and up, free for members and children younger than 12. Purchase tickets at the door or online via Eventbrite. For an additional charge, visitors age 21+ can also taste seasonal craft beers from Round Guys Brewing Co. (Holidays at Hope Lodge tickets).

• Christmas at the Cloister (in-person); Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 12 and 13, 6:30-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and music in the historic Saal. Two programs each night, one starting at 6:30 and the other at 8:00. Seating is limited and advance tickets are required (Christmas at the Cloister 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).

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

Snow falling at Drake Well Museum & Park earlier this week (photo via DWM Facebook page)

If you're looking ahead to next week, please note that all Trails of History sites will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and most will be closed on Friday, November 25. Fort Pitt Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be open on Friday on their regular schedules. On Saturday and Sunday, many of our sites will participate in Small Business Saturday and Museum Store Sunday, offering discounts or other special deals in their museum stores. We'll have more info on that in a post next Wednesday or you can check the PHMC website or your favorite site's social media.

This weekend, there are multiple options for programs, in addition to a regular site visit. Some sites have moved to reduced winter schedules already, so always check ahead before heading out. I hope you get a chance to explore without too much turkey-related preparation stress.

Up Next

Saturday, November 19

• Holiday on the Homefront (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Experience a 1940s Pennsylvania Christmas and learn about how soldiers and their families found holiday cheer during World War II. Santa will be on hand for photos (advance registration required), and there will be crafts and music. Regular admission charged for youth; accompanying adults are free. Activities run 10 am-3 pm each day (info and Santa photo registration).

• From Seneca to Seneca-Cayuga (in-person); 10 am-5 pm; Fort Pitt Museum
• This one-day conference will welcome speakers from federally recognized tribes as they explore the past, present, and future of the Iroquoian peoples who found a second homeland in the Ohio Country. The museum's new exhibit, "Guyasuta: The Life and Legend of a Seneca Chief," will also be open for participants to explore (Seneca symposium info and registration).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read ART by Patrick McDonnell and create your own artwork to display at home. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info).

• Pennsylvania Elk: 100 Years of Conservation (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Jeremy Banfield, elk biologist with the PA Game Commission, will provide an engaging overview of the Commonwealth's elk management program (PA Elk program info).

• Candlelight Tours (in-person); 5:30-8 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Visit the buildings by candlelight, see living history demonstrations, and enjoy some 18th-century music. Several of the living history scenarios take place outdoors, so please dress for the weather (Candlelight Tours info).

• Colonial Cocktail Hour (in-person); 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).

Sunday, November 20

• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will revel in the extravagant use of sugar and spices to impress the Penns' guests. Included in regular admission (open hearth cooking info).

Wednesday, November 23

• Family Friendly Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This family friendly tour looks at transportation changes throughout Pennsylvania’s history. Join Museum Educators to learn about the vehicles that have helped move us across our state. Included in regular admission (Family Tour info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Candlelight Open House (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 26, 5-8:30 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few minutes or hours visiting with local craftsmen as they share their stories and wares. Included in the evening’s event will be Fraktur calligraphy by Emily Smucker-Beidler, and Matt and Elaine Vardjan of Pennsylvania Folk Art Papers showing paper stars and block prints. Additionally, demonstrations will be provided by local spinners and the letterpress will be working in the Printing Office. The whole family can become craftsmen making small treasure boxes just the size for stocking stuffers. The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will be singing a short program at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30, and the Woodlands Trio will add to the sounds of the evening at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00. Tickets are $7 for ages 3 and up, available online or at the door (Candlelight Open House info and tickets).

• Holly Nights (in-person); Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1 and 2, 6-9 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Come and experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. There will be music, tours, craft demos, and a visit with Father Christmas. The event runs 6-9 pm both nights. Tickets: Adults, $14; Seniors, $12; Children age 4+, $6. Tickets can be purchased at the door or ahead of time via Eventbrite (Holly Nights ticket link).

• 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; ticket sales end Nov. 28. Cost is $10 per child, in addition to regular admission (Dec. 3 info and tickets OR Dec. 10 info and tickets).

• SOLD OUT Children's Christmas Party (in-person); Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-4 pm
• A holiday party with games, crafts, entertainment, and a visit from Santa. Geared for ages 5 to 12. Tickets ($5) on sale now (Christmas Party tickets).

• Ethnic Traditions (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Learn about ethnic traditions of people living in Somerset County through food and music. This year's program will feature traditions of India, Sweden, and Chile. Tickets are $25, with several multi-ticket options available. Event takes place at Friedens Lutheran Church (SHC contact info for tickets).

• Holidays at Hope Lodge & Colonial Tavern (in-person); Saturday, Dec. 10, 11 am-4 pm; Hope Lodge
• Enjoy a self-guided tour of the mansion with holiday decorations and music by members of the Ambler Symphony Orchestra (noon-2 pm). Tickets are $8 for ages 12 and up, free for members and children younger than 12. Purchase tickets at the door or online via Eventbrite. For an additional charge, visitors age 21+ can also taste seasonal craft beers from Round Guys Brewing Co. (Holidays at Hope Lodge tickets).

• Christmas at the Cloister (in-person); Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 12 and 13, 6:30-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and music in the historic Saal. Two programs each night, one starting at 6:30 and the other at 8:00. Seating is limited and advance tickets are required (Christmas at the Cloister 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).

Veterans Day 2022

Publishing a little early this week due to Veterans Day. Many Trails of History sites will be closed Friday (11/11) for the holiday, but Brandywine Battlefield Park, Erie Maritime Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, Graeme Park, Pennsylvania Military Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be open. Please see below for special activities taking place at Erie Maritime, PA Military Museum, and The State Museum. Although closed Friday, Drake Well Museum & Park and Old Economy Village will offer free admission for veterans on Saturday and Sunday.

Up Next

Friday, November 11

• Veterans Day (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Join the Pennsylvania Military Museum as we celebrate Veteran’s Day in partnership with the Red Cross’s “Holidays for Heroes” card writing campaign. Stop by the Museum on Veteran’s Day to make a card or drop cards off during our Museum Hours through November 20th (PMM Veterans Day info).

• Bells of Peace: 104th Anniversary of the End of WWI (in-person & virtual); 11-11:30 am; Erie Maritime Museum
• The museum will take part in this national remembrance by ringing the bell of the USS Michigan/Wolverine. Visitors will hear it live, others can watch the livestream on EMM's Facebook page (Bells of Peace info).

• Veterans Day Program (in-person); 11 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Throughout history soldiers have created artwork as ways of remembrances, coping with boredom, and even a form of therapy. Bob Hill, curator of military history, will share examples from the collections, including a Revolutionary War powder horn, World War I trench art, and more. Visitors will have a chance to create their own carved artwork and make a thank you card for a soldier or veteran. Included in regular admission (SMOP Veterans Day info).

Saturday, November 12

• Harvest Fest Colonial Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Join us for our first Harvest Fest Colonial day with living history reenactors, games, and more. Enjoy the harvest season with a visit to our fabulous living history cook. Regular admission charged (Harvest Fest info).

Tuesday, November 15

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Lighting, noise and crowd levels will be lowered, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries for when you need a break. Several of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance reservations are required (11/15 Sensory Hours tickets).

Wednesday, November 16

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the different types of coal and how they were formed. Discover how this natural resource has been mined and how that has affected the history of Pennsylvania’s economy. For grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info).

Thursday, November 17

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Visit the Art of the State exhibit to learn about 2-dimensional shapes, what they are and how artists use them in their work. Create your own artwork using shapes. For grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• From Seneca to Seneca-Cayuga (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 am-5 pm; Fort Pitt Museum
• This one-day conference will welcome speakers from federally recognized tribes as they explore the past, present, and future of the Iroquoian peoples who found a second homeland in the Ohio Country. The museum's new exhibit, "Guyasuta: The Life and Legend of a Seneca Chief," will also be open for participants to explore (Seneca symposium 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).

• Candlelight Open House (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 26, 5-8:30 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few minutes or hours visiting with local craftsmen as they share their stories and wares. Included in the evening’s event will be Fraktur calligraphy by Emily Smucker-Beidler, and Matt and Elaine Vardjan of Pennsylvania Folk Art Papers showing paper stars and block prints. Additionally, demonstrations will be provided by local spinners and the letterpress will be working in the Printing Office. The whole family can become craftsmen making small treasure boxes just the size for stocking stuffers. The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will be singing a short program at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30, and the Woodlands Trio will add to the sounds of the evening at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00. Tickets are $7 for ages 3 and up, available online or at the door (Candlelight Open House info and tickets).

• Holly Nights (in-person); Thursday and Friday, Dec. 1 and 2, 6-9 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Come and experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. There will be music, tours, craft demos, and a visit with Father Christmas. The event runs 6-9 pm both nights. Tickets: Adults, $14; Seniors, $12; Children age 4+, $6. Tickets can be purchased at the door or ahead of time via Eventbrite (Holly Nights ticket link).

• 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).

• Christmas at the Cloister (in-person); Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 12 and 13, 6:30-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few moments in quiet reflection with seasonal readings and music in the historic Saal. Two programs each night, one starting at 6:30 and the other at 8:00. Seating is limited and advance tickets are required (Christmas at the Cloister 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).

November Awaits

Visit the Railroad Museum's Trains & Troops event this weekend and learn more about this ca. 1966 MUTT jeep on loan from the PA Military Museum (photo & info via RMP Facebook page)

I'll post this info again next week, but to help with planning, please note that most Trails of History sites will be closed on November 11 for Veterans Day. Brandywine Battlefield Park, Fort Pitt Museum, Graeme Park, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and Somerset Historical Center will be open on their regular Friday schedules. In addition, as noted below, Erie Maritime Museum, Pennsylvania Military Museum, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will have special programming that day. In the meantime, several sites have military history programs this weekend and during the week. Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour Sunday morning.

Up Next

Today, November 4

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read ART by 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. First Lady Frances Wolf and PHMC Commissioner Ophelia Chambliss will lead this casual tour. 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).

Saturday, November 5

• 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment (in-person); 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).

• Trains & Troops (in-person); Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday Noon-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Learn about the relationship between the U.S. military and the railroads. Included in regular admission (Trains & Troops info).

• Commemorating WWII and Cold War in Berlin (in-person); 2-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• David Blackburn, site administrator at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, will present "Commemorating WWII and the Cold War in Berlin: Commemorating the Past to Inform the Present." Monuments and memorials placed throughout the city are highly visible and ever-present. These sites and structures commemorate the genocide, destruction, and loss of life that defined Berlin throughout the mid to late 20th Century. The lecture is free (donations welcome) and takes place in the site theater (Berlin lecture info).

• 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); 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).

Sunday, November 6

• Guided Tours (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Enjoy the park and historic buildings and browse the museum store for books and locally made redware pottery (CWH info).

• Wild Teas & Jellies (in-person); 2-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Brian Budjanec from Kettle Creek State Park will teach you how to harvest and make tasty treats using wild ingredients straight from the forest. Delicious samples will be available to try. Suitable for all ages and included in regular admission (Wild Teas & Jellies info).

Tuesday, November 8

• Cornwall Goes to War (virtual); 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).

Wednesday, November 9

• Homeschool Program (in-person); 10-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about woven coverlets and other textiles and the techniques and creativity that go into making them. Compare historic coverlets with woven artworks in this year's Art of the State exhibit. Cost is $10 per person ($3 for members), and advance registration is required (Homeschool Program info and registration).

Thursday, November 10

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about communication and how people have used different innovations to help them share ideas and thoughts with others. Create a secret message using the same techniques George Washington used at Valley Forge. 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).

• Movie Night (in-person); 6-8:30 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Enjoy a screening of The Polar Express (Rated G) amid the historic trains in Rolling Stock Hall. Tickets are $10 for ages 3 and up and include popcorn and hot chocolate. Doors open at 6 pm, movie starts at 6:30. Tickets available online via Eventbrite; some tickets available at the door (Movie Night info and tickets).

• Virtual Ephrata Academy (virtual); 7-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Foodways historian and demonstrator Susan Plaisted will present "Preserving the Harvest," offering a look at colonial food preservation practices including drying, potting, and the broad definition of "pickle." The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Ephrata Academy info and registration).

Friday, November 11

• Veterans Day (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Join the Pennsylvania Military Museum as we celebrate Veteran’s Day in partnership with the Red Cross’s “Holidays for Heroes” card writing campaign. Stop by the Museum on Veteran’s Day to make a card or drop cards off during our Museum Hours through November 20th (PMM Veterans Day info).

• Bells of Peace: 104th Anniversary of the End of WWI (in-person & virtual); 11-11:30 am; Erie Maritime Museum
• The museum will take part in this national remembrance by ringing the bell of the USS Michigan/Wolverine. Visitors will hear it live, others can watch the livestream on EMM's Facebook page (Bells of Peace info).

• Veterans Day Program (in-person); 11 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Throughout history soldiers have created artwork as ways of remembrances, coping with boredom, and even a form of therapy. Bob Hill, curator of military history, will share examples from the collections, including a Revolutionary War powder horn, World War I trench art, and more. Visitors will have a chance to create their own carved artwork and make a thank you card for a soldier or veteran. Included in regular admission (SMOP Veterans Day info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Nov. 15, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Lighting, noise and crowd levels will be lowered, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries for when you need a break. Several of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance reservations are required (11/15 Sensory Hours tickets).

• From Seneca to Seneca-Cayuga (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 am-5 pm; Fort Pitt Museum
• This one-day conference will welcome speakers from federally recognized tribes as they explore the past, present, and future of the Iroquoian peoples who found a second homeland in the Ohio Country. The museum's new exhibit, "Guyasuta: The Life and Legend of a Seneca Chief," will also be open for participants to explore (Seneca symposium 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).

• Candlelight Open House (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 26, 5-8:30 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Spend a few minutes or hours visiting with local craftsmen as they share their stories and wares. Included in the evening’s event will be Fraktur calligraphy by Emily Smucker-Beidler, and Matt and Elaine Vardjan of Pennsylvania Folk Art Papers showing paper stars and block prints. Additionally, demonstrations will be provided by local spinners and the letterpress will be working in the Printing Office. The whole family can become craftsmen making small treasure boxes just the size for stocking stuffers. The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will be singing a short program at 5:30, 6:30, and 7:30, and the Woodlands Trio will add to the sounds of the evening at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00. Tickets are $7 for ages 3 and up, available online or at the door (Candlelight Open House 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).