Moving On to July

Enjoy traditional "woodhick" activities, crafts, food, music, and more this weekend at the Bark Peelers' Festival (photo via PA Lumber Museum Facebook page)

Most Trails of History sites will be closed Tuesday, July 4, for Independence Day. Please see below for several sites that will be open with special programming. This weekend, you can take part in the July 4 traditions of the lumber region with the PA Lumber Museum's Bark Peelers' Festival (see photo above). And if you can't visit your favorite site in person, check out our great collection of PA History 2 Go videos, a series of virtual tours and presentations highlighting the history and activities of the Trails of History sites.

Up Next

Today, June 30

• Reading Railroad Days, Part 1 (in-person); Today thru July 2, 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Event highlights the historic Reading Railroad with an enormous, detailed HO scale model train layout of the Reading Railroad, operated by members of the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Visitors also may view historic Reading Company equipment from the Museum’s premier collection. Included in regular admission (Reading Railroad Days info).

• Scotty Trailer (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the story of Pennsylvania’s Scotty Trailer and how it revolutionized camping. Discover the places that you could have traveled to when the Scotty was introduced. Create your own Pennsylvania travel map. Included in regular admission (Scotty Trailer program info).

Saturday, July 1

• Bark Peelers' Festival (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 9 am-5 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Lively special events, contests, and demonstrations all celebrating “wood hick” skills. Unique food and craft vendors, live music, games at the kid’s corner, operation of our sawmill and birch still, blacksmithing, and chainsaw carving. Visitors are encouraged to compete in the greased pole, log rolling, crosscut saw, and birling competitions to earn the title “Grand Champion Bark-peeler” and the associated cash prizes. New this year: PLM's first Beard & Mustache Competition. Admission charged (Bark Peelers' Festival info).

• Camp Life (in-person); 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore objects that fed and protected Civil War soldiers at camp. Interact with items that occupied and entertained the troops. Create your own legend versus fact game. Included in regular admission (Civil War Camp Life program info).

Sunday, July 2

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Blacksmiths, joyners, and spinners will be eager to talk to you about their work and its importance to life at Pennsbury. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades program info).

Tuesday, July 4

• Independence Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Learn about the different kinds of troops who fought for America’s freedom during the Revolutionary War including the Continentals, Dragoons, and Riflemen. Guided Boone House tours will be offered regularly throughout the day, as well as blacksmithing and gun building demonstrations. There will also be plenty of activities for children, including a muster activity, colonial toys and games, and crafts. Admission fee charged. Munchiez Food Truck and Cherry On Top ice cream truck will be on site (Boone Homestead Independence Day info).

• Independence Day (in-person); 11:30 am-2:30 pm; Graeme Park
• A celebration spanning several centuries: volunteers in colonial-era dress will reenact the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble will present dances popular in the late 19th-century when Independence Day became a federal holiday. There will be a free ice cream social and visitors are invited to try writing with a quill pen. And there will be tours of the Keith House. Donations welcome (Graeme Park Independence Day info).

• Fourth at the Fort (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Fort Pitt Museum
• This free event features living history demos, cannon firing, and 18th-century military music in Point State Park. Regular admission rates apply to visit the museum and its exhibits (Fourth at the Fort program info).

Wednesday, July 5

• Reading Railroad Days, Part 2 (in-person); Today thru July 8, 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Event highlights the historic Reading Railroad with an enormous, detailed HO scale model train layout of the Reading Railroad, operated by members of the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Visitors also may view historic Reading Company equipment from the Museum’s premier collection. Included in regular admission (Reading Railroad Days info).

• Restoring Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Tour the exhibit that explores the science and art behind the 3-year project that restored Mammal Hall's dioramas. Included in regular admission (Restoring Mammal Hall program info).

Thursday, July 6

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in the garden and then explore the grounds of Pennsbury Manor. Cost is a $3 grounds pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Memory and Logic (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab (3rd floor) to explore how people think and remember information. Test your memory and logic through a series of challenging games and puzzles. Included in regular admission, but space is limited, so it's first come, first served (Memory & Logic program info).

Friday, July 7

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Hear a reading of Birds by Kevin Henkes, learn about the many colors of birds, and paint with bird feathers. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Travel by Land, Air, and Water (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover how the Scotty Trailer, Piper Cub and the Cowell Runabout changed recreational travel in Pennsylvania and beyond. Choose an adventure and create a travel itinerary and discover the items you would need along the way. Included in regular admission (Travel program info).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy an evening of music, family games, tractor rides, and food trucks. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Parking is $5 per car, but there is no admission fee (July First Fridays info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, July 25, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is about preserving produce. Geared for ages 12 and up. Registration required - $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (July Garden Workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for Aug. 8 Sensory Hours and tickets for Aug. 22 Sensory Hours).

• The Colemans and Martic Forge (hybrid); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Jim Polczynski will present a program centered on the ownership of Martic Forge by three generations of the Coleman family (who also owned Cornwall Iron Furnace). You can attend the program in person at Freeman Hall, Cornwall Manor Retirement Community or virtually via Zoom (Martic Forge lecture info and registration).

• The "Dead" of Summer (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 19, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• Experience a reenactment of an early 20th-century seance focused on the period when many had lost loved ones to the 1918 flu pandemic or World War I and were susceptible to this form of entertainment. Tickets are limited and will be available online (Dead of Summer info and tickets).

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

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• 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

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• 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

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

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

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

Summer!!

Visit the Railroad Museum of PA during Reading Railroad Days to learn more about this Reading Company Crusader No. 1 passenger car (photo via RMP's Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, June 23

• Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 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 (Transportation gallery tour info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Jacob Henry, Spotted Lanternfly Operations Manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will discuss the spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, June 24

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (in-person); 10 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Reducing, reusing, and recycling can help you, your community, and the environment by saving money, energy, and natural resources. Create beads from magazines and learn about the benefits of vermicomposting. Included in regular admission (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle program info).

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

Tuesday, June 27

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for June 27 Sensory Hours).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is "Colors of Our Lives." Open to ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (June 27 Garden Workshop Series info).

Wednesday, June 28

• Reading Railroad Days, Part 1 (in-person); June 28-July 2, 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Event highlights the historic Reading Railroad with an enormous, detailed HO scale model train layout of the Reading Railroad, operated by members of the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Visitors also may view historic Reading Company equipment from the Museum’s premier collection. Included in regular admission. Event continues July 5-8 (Reading Railroad Days info).

• State Symbol: White-tailed Deer (in-person); 10 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• The white-tailed deer was chosen as the official state animal of Pennsylvania in 1959. Learn more about the history of this animal in our state, the adaptations that help this animal survive in Pennsylvania and its selection as a state symbol. Included in regular admission (White-tailed Deer program info).

Thursday, June 29

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in Pennsbury's garden and then stay to explore the grounds. Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome. Admission is $3 (Grounds Pass); upgrade to regular admission if you'd like to tour the Manor House (June 29 Storytime info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 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 Gallery tour info).

Friday, June 30

• Scotty Trailer (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the story of Pennsylvania’s Scotty Trailer and how it revolutionized camping. Discover the places that you could have traveled to when the Scotty was introduced. Create your own Pennsylvania travel map. Included in regular admission (Scotty Trailer program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, July 25, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is about preserving produce. Geared for ages 12 and up. Registration required - $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (July Garden Workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for Aug. 8 Sensory Hours).

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

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• 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

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

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

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

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

A Full Weekend Ahead

Erie Maritime Museum's program on shipwrecks is just one of many events happening this weekend (photo via EMM Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, June 16

• Colonial Toys and Games (in-person); 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from colonial Pennsylvania. Test your skills with a bilbo catcher, Jacobs ladder and see if you can make a hoop go with just a stick. Toys and games will be available 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm. Included in regular admission (Toys and Games program info).

Saturday, June 17

• 50th Anniversary of the Cornwall Mines Closure (in-person); 10 am-noon; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• The Cornwall Ore Mine closed in June of 1973 after 236 years of operations. This free, family-friendly event commemorates the mine, the closing, and former miners. Remarks and recollections will take place in the auditorium of Cornwall Elementary School (45 Burd Coleman Rd., Lebanon), there will be a wreath-laying at the miner statue in front of the school, then attendees are invited for refreshments at Cornwall Iron Furnace (Cornwall Mines program info).

• Art in the Garden: Botanical Drawing Workshop (in-person); 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Outdoor art for all skill levels. This guided drawing workshop will focus on plants in the kitchen garden. Materials provided. Registration required $35/non-members $30/members. Call 215/946-0400 to register (Art in the Garden workshop info).

• Sail to Steam Saturdays (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• Join Museum staff to explore the science behind shipwreck archaeology. We will explore SONAR imagery, talk shipwrecks in the Erie region, learn about mosaics, and “dive” into a debris field. Included in regular admission (June 17 Sail to Steam info).

• Amusement Parks (in-person); 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the history of amusement parks in Pennsylvania and the connection to industrialization. Examine key rides with Pennsylvania significance: carousel, roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and the bumper car. Create your own carousel with images of items from our collection. Included in regular admission (Amusement Parks program info).

• Patchtown Days (in-person); 10 am-5 pm; Eckley Miners' Village
• Join us for a day of live music, local crafts, and anthracite heritage! Stop by one of our food trucks for Polish and Mexican cuisine, sip on a pint in Conyngham Brewing Company’s new beer garden, and wander our 90-acre, 19th-century company town to step into the lives of anthracite mining families! Admission charged (Patchtown Days info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Auditorium on the Ground Floor to learn about the symphony orchestra. Because by Mo Willems will be the featured book. Storytime participants will learn about the instruments that make up an orchestra and have a chance to play along with a few famous symphonic works. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Arts on Fire 2023 (in-person); 11 am-5 pm; Scranton Iron Furnaces
• Annual festival features an iron pour, scratch blocks, music, food, crafts and educational tents from the partners at National Museum of Industrial History and the PA Lumber Museum. Held in conjunction with Steamtown National Historic Site's Railfest (10 am-4 pm). Admission is free and there is free transportation between the Iron Furnaces and Steamtown NHS (Arts on Fire program info).

• OEV Music Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, Noon-8 pm both days; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a wide array of bands at a beautiful historic site. Event is rain or shine (will move indoors if the weather is bad); bring chairs and blankets for outdoor seating. There will be a variety of food trucks onsite (separate purchase). Advance tickets only; choose one day or the whole weekend (OEV Music Weekend line-up and tickets).

• 90th Anniversary of the CCC (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Curator Josh Fox will present a program looking back at the prolific works and impactful legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. There will also be a new temporary exhibit in honor of CCC's 90th anniversary (CCC program info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 3-4 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month. Admission and planetarium tickets must be purchased at the Ground Floor desk at least 5 minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

• Brews at the Battlefield (in-person); 5-8 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Taste beers from local and regional breweries, listen to music, and enjoy food from Burgers by Wildwich (separate purchase from event tickets). You must be at least age 21 to attend, and photo ID will be required at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance; designated driver tickets available (Brews at the Battlefield tickets).

Sunday, June 18

• Father's Day (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Graeme Park
• The site will offer free tours to all men age 18 and over in honor of Father's Day (Graeme Park info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will prepare and present a complete seasonal meal as it would have been served to William Penn. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking info).

• Juneteenth Celebration (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The site will host a program in celebration of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Bring a lunch and blanket or chairs and enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the banks of the Delaware River. Included in regular admission (Juneteenth program info).

• Finding Your Roots: Free Resources for Building a Family Tree (in-person); 2-4 pm; Graeme Park
• Learn about researching the identities of enslaved people at historic house museums and build a toolkit to bridge gaps in your own family history. This in-person program will be followed by two virtual meet-ups, June 20 and 27 at 7 pm to review and troubleshoot research; contact info will be requested during June 18 class (Finding Your Roots program info).

Wednesday, June 21

• THE STATE MUSEUM IS CLOSED TODAY, JUNE 21: Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about Pennsylvania mammals during a family-friendly tour of Mammal Hall. Touch furs, hold antlers, view skulls, and ask questions. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall program info).

Thursday, June 22

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in Pennsbury's garden and then stay to explore the grounds. Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome. Admission is $3 (Grounds Pass); upgrade to regular admission if you'd like to tour the Manor House (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Physical Geography of Pennsylvania (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Using the Giant Map of Pennsylvania, learn about the state's landforms, waterways, and physiographic regions. Be sure to wear your socks so you can trek across the map. You will also be asked to challenge your map skills. Included in regular admission (Geography program info).

Friday, June 23

• Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 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 (Transportation gallery tour info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Jacob Henry, Spotted Lanternfly Operations Manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will discuss the spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for June 27 Sensory Hours).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is "Colors of Our Lives." Open to ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (Garden Workshop Series info).

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, July 25, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is about preserving produce. Geared for ages 12 and up. Registration required - $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (July Garden Workshop 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

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• 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

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

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

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

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

Congratulations are in Order

Photo via Ephrata Cloister Facebook page

Congratulations to the staff, board, and volunteers at Ephrata Cloister on their recent reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Ephrata was first accredited by AAM in 1983 and has maintained its status through three subsequent accreditation reviews. It is one of only 202 museums in the nation to achieve accreditation status four times and one of only 35 accredited museums in Pennsylvania. This national recognition reflects a commitment to excellence and high professional standards, as well as continuous improvement, which is why accredited museums must go through the process every ten years or so. The accreditation process includes roughly a year of self-study activities followed by a site visit from AAM-trained reviewers. The self-study and reviewers' report goes before the Accreditation Commission for approval (read more about AAM Accreditation). So a hearty cheer and round of applause for all the folks at Ephrata who navigated this process successfully yet again. Well done, all!

Up Next

Saturday, June 10

• Wildcatter Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Come explore Pennsylvania's legendary oil boomtown and enjoy guided tours, living history demonstrations, and more. Admission charged (Wildcatter Day info).

• Sail to Steam Saturdays (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• The museum welcomes the International Guild of Knot Tyers for demos on knot art, rope making, knot tying, and more. Included in regular admission (6/10 Sail to Steam Saturdays info).

Sunday, June 11

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• In an age when the mortality rate was high, what happened when children lost their parents? Join us as we convene an Orphan’s Court and discover some of the heartbreaking tales. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

• Experience Folk Art (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Pennsylvania Icons Gallery on the First Floor to explore the art of Pennsylvania Germans and how the decoration of everyday objects became an artistic and elaborate art form. Discover close looking and take your new knowledge back to the classroom to create your own piece of folk art. Included in regular admission (Folk Art program info).

Tuesday, June 13

• 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 spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for June 13 Sensory Hours).

• The End of An Era: Reflecting on 236 Years of Mining at Cornwall (hybrid); 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• This presentation by Mike Weber will take a retrospective look at the Cornwall Mines at the end of an era as we reflect on the legacy of more than two centuries of iron mining at Cornwall. Attend in-person at Freeman Hall (Cornwall Manor Retirement Community) or via Zoom (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

Wednesday, June 14

• State Symbol: PA State Flag (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the history behind Pennsylvania’s State Flag. Discover what each of the symbols represent. Visitors will create their own PA state flag using iconic Pennsylvania images or design their own version. Included in regular admission (PA State Flag program info).

• PHMC's Framing History Series (in-person); 1:30-3:30; The State Museum of PA
• Join award-winning historian Tom Sugrue, author of Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in the North, as he discusses the Civil Rights Movement and the quest for racial equality in Pennsylvania. Tour The State Museum’s exhibit, A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration, following the presentation. Registration recommended but not required (register for Tom Sugrue lecture).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month. Admission and planetarium tickets must be purchased at the Ground Floor desk at least 5 minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

• Historic Slate Industry in PA (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Don Robinson will present on the history of the slate industry, historic uses of slate, the immigration of Welsh quarrymen, and contemporary preservation efforts of related slate industry structures in Coulsontown, PA. The program is free and will be held in the Yellow Barn. This program is offered in partnership with the Lancaster Designer Craftsmen chapter of the PA Guild of Craftsmen (Slate Industry program info).

Thursday, June 15

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• If you are interested in rocks and minerals, join a Museum Educator to tour Geology Hall. Get hands-on with the rocks and minerals of Pennsylvania. Program will be presented at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Geology Hall tour info).

Friday, June 16

• Colonial Toys and Games (in-person); 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from colonial Pennsylvania. Test your skills with a bilbo catcher, Jacobs ladder and see if you can make a hoop go with just a stick. Toys and games will be available 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm. Included in regular admission (Toys and Games program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Art in the Garden: Botanical Drawing Workshop (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Outdoor art for all skill levels. This guided drawing workshop will focus on plants in the kitchen garden. Materials provided. Registration required $35/non-members $30/members. Call 215/946-0400 to register (Art in the Garden workshop info).

• Brews at the Battlefield (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 5-8 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Taste beers from local and regional breweries, listen to music, and enjoy food from Burgers by Wildwich (separate purchase from event tickets). You must be at least age 21 to attend, and photo ID will be required at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance; designated driver tickets available (Brews at the Battlefield tickets).

• OEV Music Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, Noon-8 pm both days; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a wide array of bands at a beautiful historic site. Event is rain or shine (will move indoors if the weather is bad); bring chairs and blankets for outdoor seating. There will be a variety of food trucks onsite (separate purchase). Advance tickets only; choose one day or the whole weekend (OEV Music Weekend line-up and tickets).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, June 23, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Jacob Henry, Spotted Lanternfly Operations Manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will discuss the spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for June 27 Sensory Hours).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is "Colors of Our Lives." Open to ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (Garden Workshop Series info).

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

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

• Bushy Run Battlefield (Bushy Run camp info)
• Colonial Life (grades 1-5), June 19-21, 10 am-3 pm - June 9 is last day to register

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

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• 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

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

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

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

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

Another Anniversary!

Celebrate the 275th anniversary of Hope Lodge by attending the British Car & Motorcycle Show on Saturday or the Ambler Symphony Concert on Wednesday (photo via Hope Lodge Facebook page)

Historic Hope Lodge is celebrating the 275th anniversary of the completion of the mansion (read about Hope Lodge's history). The Erie Maritime Museum just marked the 25th anniversary of the opening of the museum on Erie's waterfront. The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum has a temporary exhibit in honor of the 90th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps. And the Pennsylvania Military Museum has a temporary exhibit related to the 125th anniversary of the Spanish-American War (covered by WJAC-TV). Gives you a little taste of the variety of the Pennsylvania Trails of History. Why not give us a visit?

Up Next

Friday, June 2

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Auditorium on the Ground Floor to learn about the symphony orchestra. The book Because by Mo Willems will be featured. Storytime participants will learn about the instruments that make up an orchestra and have a chance to play along with a few famous symphonic works. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (StoryTime info).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy an evening of music, family games, tractor rides, and food trucks. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Parking is $5 per car, but there is no admission fee (June First Fridays info).

• Art and Wine with Henry! (in-person); 7-9 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• An art show featuring regional artists. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Must be at least 21 years old to attend. Tickets are $25 (Art and Wine event tickets).

Saturday, June 3

• Horsham Day (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Graeme Park
• Celebrate Horsham Day with free tours of the Keith House on the hour from 10 am to 2 pm (Horsham Day info).

• Ales & Petals/Cars & Motorcycles of England Car Show (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Hope Lodge
• Enjoy food, live music and craft beers (age 21+ with valid ID) for a tour of one of the largest British motoring shows on the East Coast with over 250 classic British cars and motorcycles. This event will also feature tours of the Hope Lodge mansion and celebration of 275th anniversary. Admission is $10 (Hope Lodge event info and ticket link).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a private history tour of the outside tracked vehicles and discuss the history of armored vehicles with a preeminent local historian. Tour begins at the museum, but there will be plenty of walking on the grounds, so please have appropriate footwear. This tour will not access the insides of the vehicles. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership (Exploring the Armor tickets).

Sunday, June 4

• Colonial Craft Day (in-person); 11 am-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• A variety of craftspeople will demonstrate 18th-century skills and some vendors will have items for sale. Guided tours of the site will also be available (Colonial Craft Day info).

• Historic Trades (in-person) 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Come and witness some of the trades and crafts that were done at Pennsbury Manor during the 17th Century. Our blacksmiths, joyners and spinners will be eager to talk to you about their work and its importance during Penn’s time. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).

Wednesday, June 7

• Ambler Symphony Orchestra (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Hope Lodge
• Under the musical direction of conductor Jack Moore, the Ambler Symphony will present an evening of music for all ages. Bring the family, chairs, and your picnic for an evening on the lawn. Tickets are $5 for ages 13 and up (free for members) and can be purchased at the door or in advance online (Eventbrite ticket link). Rain date is June 14.

Thursday, June 8

• Family Gallery Tour: Horse 2 Auto(in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Look back at the transition from horse-powered transportation to the automobile. Examine the similarities and struggles we face today as we look to transition from the internal combustion engine to a more energy efficient system. Included in regular admission (June 8 Family Gallery Tour info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, June 13, 3-5 pm and Tuesday, June 27, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for June 13 Sensory Hours or June 27 Sensory Hours).

• The End of An Era: Reflecting on 236 Years of Mining at Cornwall (hybrid); Tuesday, June 13, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• This presentation by Mike Weber will take a retrospective look at the Cornwall Mines at the end of an era as we reflect on the legacy of more than two centuries of iron mining at Cornwall. Attend in-person at Freeman Hall (Cornwall Manor Retirement Community) or via Zoom (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

• PHMC's Framing History Series (in-person); Wednesday, June 14, 1:30-3:30; The State Museum of PA
• Join award-winning historian Tom Sugrue, author of Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in the North, at 1:30 pm on June 14 at The State Museum of Pennsylvania as he discusses the Civil Rights Movement and the quest for racial equality in Pennsylvania. Tour The State Museum’s exhibit, A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration, following the presentation. Registration recommended but not required (register for Tom Sugrue lecture).

• Art in the Garden: Botanical Drawing Workshop (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Outdoor art for all skill levels. This guided drawing workshop will focus on plants in the kitchen garden. Materials provided. Registration required $35/non-members $30/members. Call 215/946-0400 to register (Art in the Garden workshop info).

• Brews at the Battlefield (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 5-8 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Taste beers from local and regional breweries, listen to music, and enjoy food from Burgers by Wildwich (separate purchase from event tickets). You must be at least age 21 to attend, and photo ID will be required at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance; designated driver tickets available (Brews at the Battlefield tickets).

• OEV Music Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, Noon-8 pm both days; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a wide array of bands at a beautiful historic site. Event is rain or shine (will move indoors if the weather is bad); bring chairs and blankets for outdoor seating. There will be a variety of food trucks onsite (separate purchase). Advance tickets only; choose one day or the whole weekend (OEV Music Weekend line-up and tickets).

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

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

• Bushy Run Battlefield (Bushy Run camp info)
• Colonial Life (grades 1-5), June 19-21, 10 am-3 pm - June 9 is last day to register

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

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• 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

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

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

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

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