Charter Day Recap

Visitors waiting to see the original Charter at the State Museum of PA on March 12, 2023 (photo via PA Trails of History Facebook page)

Thank you to the more-than-7,000 of you who came out to the PA Trails of History last Sunday to help us celebrate Charter Day, Pennsylvania's Birthday! You helped our sites kick off their spring season or debut new exhibits or highlight living history activities. Thanks also to all the staff and volunteers who geared up for the free day to make sure that all visitors had a great time. We can't do it without all of you. There's more on tap in the week ahead as spring comes to the Trails of History. We hope to see you soon.

Up Next

Saturday, March 18

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Did you know that the dioramas in Mammal Hall are based on real locations in Pennsylvania? Locate each of these spots on the giant map of Pennsylvania and discover some interesting facts about our state mammals. Included in regular admission (Mapping Mammal Hall info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read Give Me Some Space by Philip Bunting and create your own map of the solar system. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (StoryTime info).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Bradley Smith, archivist and assistant director of the Berks History Center, will present "Dr. Bodo Otto: The Patriot Surgeon of Pennsylvania," who at the age of 65 volunteered his services as a surgeon to the Continental Army. Tickets available starting Feb. 25 (3/18 tickets via Eventbrite).

Tuesday, March 21

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be lowered, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break. Several historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance registration is required (Sensory Hours info).

Wednesday, March 22

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Chat with the Planetarium director to learn about what you can see in tonight's sky, the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events coming up in the next month. Regular admission and planetarium ticket required (Stargazing program info).

Thursday, March 23

• Winter History Class (virtual); 9 am-noon; Ephrata Cloister
• This course runs every Thursday through March 30. Today's presentation is "Mountain Mary: Sainted Healer of the PA Dutch" with Patrick Donmoyer, Kutztown Univ., and "Rediscovering the Muhlenberg Family of Trappe, Pennsylvania," with Lisa Minardi, Historic Trappe. If you have not already signed up for the full series, you can attend single sessions via Zoom only (Winter History Class registration options).

• Planting a Seed (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us as we discover the history of gardening in Pennsylvania. Discover the story of the Burpee Seed Co. and how they changed what we grow today. Plant your own heirloom seeds and watch them grow. Included in regular admission (Planting a Seed program info).

Friday, March 24

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Mark Hand, director, and Matt Reis, deputy director, will provide an overview of Pennsylvania's GreenGov Program and its climate goals for state agencies. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (3/24 Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, Mar. 31, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Fine arts curator Amy Hammond will be in conversation with 2022 Art of the State Purchase Award winner Matthew Coté. This virtual program is free, but you must register to receive the link (3/31 Learn at Lunchtime registration).

• Rails & Ales 2023 (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 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 are sold out (ticket options, including designated driver tickets).

• Easter Egg Hunt (in-person); Sunday, Apr. 2, Noon-3 pm; Old Economy Village
• Children age 10 and under are invited to hunt for Easter eggs in the village and visit with the Easter Bunny. The event is free, but you must register in advance (Egg Hunt info and registration).

• Tea with Louisa May Alcott (in-person); Sunday, Apr. 16, 1-2:30 pm; Graeme Park
• Author Louisa May Alcott was born in Pennsylvania in 1832, not far from Graeme Park. In this program, she returns to her home state on a speaking tour following the success of her book, Little Women. She'll read from a selection of her previous works, discuss her life and influences, and seek advice on what to include in the sequel. Enjoy light refreshments and an informal chat after the presentation. Tickets are $10 (Louisa May Alcott program info and tickets).

• Behind the Scenes with the Heirloom Seed Project (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 29, 9 am and 1 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Heirloom Seed Project staff and volunteers will offer a glimpse into preparations for the annual Herb & Garden Faire and lead a tour of gardens on the site. Two tour times: 9 am or 1 pm. The tour is two hours of walking around the museum grounds, rain or shine; please dress for the weather with comfortable footwear. Tickets are $40, $35 for members (Heirloom Seed Project tour tickets).

• Art in the Garden (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 29, 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Take a tour of Pennsbury's gardens and grounds, then settle into your favorite spot and paint. All skill levels welcome; materials provided. Cost is $35, $30 for members. Registration required (Pennsbury Manor contact info).

Summer Camp Programs (camps are in-person unless marked otherwise)

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• Live the Battle Week (grades 3-4), June 27-30, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 3-4), July 11-14, 9 am-2 pm
• Live the Battle Week (grades 5-6), July 18-21, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 5-6), July 25-28, 9 am-2 pm

• Drake Well Museum & Park (Drake Well camp info)
• Discovery Days Camp (ages 8-12), July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9 am-4 pm

• Pennsbury Manor (Pennsbury camp info)
• Colonial Camp Week (ages 6-8), July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm