So Long, March and Hello, April

Conrad Weiser Homestead's Spring Lecture takes place this Sunday (photo via Conrad Weiser Homestead Facebook page, March 30, 2022)

As we make the turn from March into April, there are lots of activities on the Trails of History. Please take a look and you may find something new to learn or experience this week. Several sites will transition to their spring schedules tomorrow, April 1. Old Economy Village had a little fun with that on Instagram. Enjoy!


Video description: Bouncy music plays as an overlaid image of a black-and-white cat moves through interior and exterior spaces at Old Economy Village. On-screen text says "When they tell you that you need to take promoting opening day seriously. Seriously. We open on April 1st."

Up Next

Today, March 31

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 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).

Saturday, April 1

• The Great War Remembered (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Join our living historians from the NGP (National Guard of PA) History Project at an outdoor encampment that explores life on the Western Front during World War I. The camp is open 10 am-3 pm both days. Regular admission charged for museum exhibits and lectures (Great War Remembered program info).

• A Bird's Eye View (in-person); 10 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore T.M. Fowler’s views of Pennsylvania. Take a deeper look at the cities and towns that forged our industrial state. Test your skills and see if you can sketch your own bird’s-eye view. Included in regular admission (TM Fowler program info).

• April Fool's Tour (in-person); Noon and 3:30 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Join staff for a tour that includes fun stories - some of them may even be true. Tours at noon and 3:30 pm. Admission charged. Reservations required; call 215/946-0400 (April Fool's Tour info).

• Rails & Ales 2023 (in-person); 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).

Sunday, April 2

• Easter Egg Hunt (in-person); 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).

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Blacksmiths, joyners, and spinners will demonstrate their 17th-century skills and be eager to talk with visitors about their importance. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades program info).

• Spring Lecture (in-person); 2-3 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Speaker Linda Manwiller will present "Pennsylvania German Easter Traditions," an illustrated lecture exploring the history and legacy of such traditions as Easter baskets, Easter eggs, and the Easter bunny. The program is free and open to the public (Spring Lecture info).

Tuesday, April 4

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (April 4 Sensory Hours tickets).

Wednesday, April 5

• Travel Pennsylvania's Superhighway (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the museum's PA Turnpike exhibit to learn about innovations that were used to create this superhighway. Test your math skills as you travel the road. Included in regular admission (PA Turnpike program info).

Friday, April 7

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Listen to a reading of Spring After Spring by Stephanie Roth and explore the story of Rachel Carson, create a spring drawing, and look for signs of spring in the galleries. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (StoryTime info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• The Lost Decade: Mining at Cornwall in the 1920s (hybrid); Tuesday, Apr. 11, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Mike Weber will provide information about a transitional period in the history of the Cornwall Mines in the early 20th century. The 1920s represented a pivotal period in the continued development of the Cornwall Mines. The presentation will explore these developments and provide highlights from the Cornwall Mines and community. Attend in person at Freeman Hall, Cornwall Manor Retirement Community or via Zoom (register for Zoom lecture).

• The Little Saw Mill Run Railroad (in-person); Wednesday, Apr. 12, 6-7:30pm; Old Economy Village
• David Aitken will present a talk based on his book, The Little Saw Mill Run Railroad - Its Life & Legacy, including an exploration of the Harmony Society's role in the company. The program is free, but seating is limited (Saw Mill Run Railroad program registration).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 15, Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Friederike Baer, associate professor of history at Penn State Abingdon, will present "Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War," exploring the estimated 30,000 German soldiers hired to fight for the British. Tickets are $20 (Rev Speaker Series tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Apr. 18, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (April 18 Sensory Hours tickets).

• Archives Without Tears Q&A (virtual); Thursday, Apr. 20, 10-11 am; PA State Archives
• Do you have questions about practical ways to preserve and/or make available the historical records in your care? Whether you are a curious individual collecting and caring for family or community materials, a local government employee tasked with records storage, a volunteer at a local historical society, the director of a large institution, or anyone in-between, we invite all to bring questions for Pennsylvania State Archives archivists to answer. It may be helpful (but is not required) to first check out the brief AWOT Key Concepts videos that are freely available on PHMC's YouTube channel, @PATrailsofHistory (Archives Without Tears registration).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wednesday, Apr. 26, 10 am-2 pm; Graeme Park
• Author C.J. McGroarty will discuss her novel, Clara in a Time of War, which is set on a Chester County farm in 1777. The program also includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and tours of the Keith House. Tickets are $35 (Lunch & Learn 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

• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (LVVFM camp info)
• A Child's Life in the Civil War (ages 5-11), July 18-21, 9 am-12:30 pm

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

• Railroad Museum of PA (RMP camp info)
• Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 9-10), July 11-14
• Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 11-12), July 25-28