New Exhibit at Erie Maritime Museum

My thanks to Jim Hall and Linda Bolla for the images and info in this post.

Staff and volunteers at the Erie Maritime Museum are installing an iceboat on the second floor mezzanine, next to the USS Michigan/Wolverine exhibit

The Erie Maritime Museum, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is installing a new exhibit to add to the story of Erie's waterfront. An iceboat, built mostly of spruce in 1900 for Anna Scott Strong and named Snipe, now sits on the museum's mezzanine, next to the USS Michigan/Wolverine exhibit.

Bird's-eye view of the iceboat's backbone and car (the giant badminton racket) and the perpendicular runner plank and skates. The mast is lying on the ground nearby.

The boat was restored in 1983 by Andy Hanks, Lee Johannesmeyer, and Chris Wolford, and they used it for racing in Erie until about 2005. Wolford donated the boat (FN2020.6.1A-G), renamed Black Ice, to the Erie Maritime Museum.

From left: Chris Bloomstine, Chris Wolford, Andy Hanks, Clive Tattershall, Lee Johannesmeyer, and Linda Bolla

There's still another sail to attach and some adjustments to make before the exhibit is complete, but I think you get the idea. It's a great addition to a great museum.

I'm told that Black Ice is in this photo (FN2021.5.1), 4th from the left on the racing line with the foresail just barely visible.  

Up Next

Today, February 17

• Snow-mobility Weekend (in-person); Friday thru Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Well, the weather isn't cooperating, so there is no snow, but the show must go on. On Saturday, enjoy a pancake breakfast (10:30 am-1 pm), documentary films, and learn how maple syrup is made (1:30). On Sunday at 2 pm, join us for a winter story time and craft (Snow-mobility Weekend info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Brant Portner, environmental education specialist with the PA Game Commission, will talk about the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, a popular spot for birds and bird watchers. The program is free and will be offered via Zoom; please register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, February 18

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Locate the real-life inspirations for the Mammal Hall dioramas on a giant map of Pennsylvania. Included in regular admission (Mapping Mammal Hall info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Listen to a reading of Over and Under in the Snow by Kate Messner to discover what is happening under the show. Create your own winter landscape. For ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (StoryTime info).

• SOLD OUT The Dead of Winter (in-person); 5:30 pm; Graeme Park
• This program reenacts an early 20th-century seance and explores this popular form of spiritualism/entertainment. As of Wednesday, there were still some tickets available for the 5:30 pm program. Light refreshments will be served. In case of bad weather, program will be held Feb. 25. Advance tickets ($20) only (Dead of Winter info and tickets).

Tuesday, February 21

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Noise, light, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be quiet spaces for breaks. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Feb. 21 Sensory Hours).

Wednesday, February 22

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn how epidemiologists study the cause, spread, and control of bacteria, viruses, and other "germs" that can make us sick. Mimic how scientists use "germs" to make art in a petri dish. For grades 3 to 5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium director for a live, in-person chat about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events coming up this month. Planetarium tickets (in addition to regular admission) must be obtained at the Ground Floor Info Desk no later than 1:55 pm (Stargazing info).

• The Harmonist Connection: Gardens (virtual); 7-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• The latest in a series of virtual programs sponsored by Harmony Society sites in Pennsylvania and Indiana. Tonight, Kent Schuette from Historic New Harmony (IN) and Joe Pulgini from Old Economy Village will talk about the work both carry out to maintain modern gardens that draw on the traditions of the Harmonists. Free and offered via Zoom (Harmonist Connection info and registration).

Thursday, February 23

• Winter History Class (in-person & virtual); 9 am-noon; Ephrata Cloister
• This course runs every Thursday through March 30. Today's presentations are "Bake Ovens in Germanic PA: Their Location, Construction and Use," with Robert Wood and "German Foodways" with Alan Keyser. If you have not already signed up for the full series, you can attend single sessions via Zoom only (Winter History Class registration options).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Feb. 25, Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Wade Catts, president of South River Heritage Consulting, LLC, will present "Archaeology and the Preservation of Sites of America's War for Independence, with special focus on new studies of the Brandywine Battlefield (Rev Speaker Series info).

• Train Tour: The H6SB (virtual); Tuesday, Feb. 28, 10-10:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Children in grades K to 6 will investigate the inside of the historic H6sb locomotive No. 2846, virtually visiting the cab and exploring behind-the-scenes in the tender and maintenance areas. Register to receive the link; admission is by donation (Train Tour registration).

• Rails & Ales 2023 (in-person); Saturday, April 1, 5:30-9 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Taste craft beers among the museum's world-class collection of historic trains in Rolling Stock Hall. Must be age 21 or older to attend; photo ID required at the door. Advance tickets only; VIP tickets tend to sell out quickly (ticket options, including designated driver tickets).

• Colonial Camp Week (in-person); Monday-Friday, July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Campers 6 to 8 years old will spend the week exploring the entire site with a talented team of living history experts. Sessions run 9 am-4 pm each day; before- and after-care are available for an additional fee (registration info).