Rounding Out August

Learn about Col. Edwin Drake's successful oil well and enjoy some live music this weekend at Drake Well Museum & Park (photo via DWM's Facebook page)

As we head into the final week of August and the end of meteorological summer, here are a few stories that came across my radar recently that I haven't shared here. Please be sure to check the calendar listings below for things to do in the coming week or so.

Earlier this month, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania announced that it will become the new home of the 1838 steam locomotive "Rocket" that has been on exhibit at The Franklin Institute since the 1930s. Built in England and purchased by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, the locomotive is now owned by Reading successor Conrail, who will place it on loan to RMP. The Rocket is currently being prepared for display and will join other significant locomotives and railcars in the museum's Rolling Stock Hall later this year (read more about the Rocket on RMP's Facebook page).

At the Conrad Weiser Homestead, a new exhibit element in the Weiser House helps to tell the story of Anna Eve (Feg) Weiser (1700-1781). As the wife of Conrad Weiser, Anna Eve welcomed colonial politicians, diplomats, missionaries and Native American leaders to the homestead. She ran the 900-acre farm alongside her husband and on her own when Conrad was away from home. The project, which includes a 4-minute audio piece and a mannequin in colonial-era clothing, was carried out by the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead, with support from the Berks Women's History Alliance (read more about the Anna Eve Project).

On a related note, the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia recently found in their collections a letter signed by Conrad Weiser in 1758, along with other Reading area German Lutherans. The letter was in a folder in a back corner of the Center's vault. It has now been rehoused in archival-quality materials and joined other letters in the collection (read more about the 1758 letter on Lutheran Archives Center's Facebook page).

To mark the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Brig Niagara's current incarnation, the Erie Maritime Museum shared a couple of posts with images from the rebuilding. No ship is ever "complete," due to ongoing maintenance and upkeep, so this anniversary marks the start of the project (see photos of Niagara under construction on EMM's Facebook page).

Up Next

Today, August 25

• Family Gallery Tour: Ecology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about Pennsylvania’s major ecosystems, the wildlife and plants found here and the Pennsylvanians who contributed to the environmental movement during a tour of Ecology Hall. Included in regular admission (Ecology Hall tour info).

Saturday, August 26

• Sailor's Swabs (in-person); Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, and Sunday, 1-5 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• Interpreter Mark Zagursky will be on site for two days demonstrating the art of tying sailor's swabs (think whisk broom) using the Mathew Walker knot. Included in regular admission (Sailor's Swabs program info).

• Wayzgoose in the Print Shop (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Old Economy Village
• As early as the 1600s, print shop owners rewarded their employees with a meal and cash, and the celebration was called a Wayzgoose. The tradition continues at OEV with a celebration of the history, tools, and techniques of printing. See demonstrations, help with printing on the 1893 press, and learn some simple activities you can do at home. Plus light refreshments. Included in regular admission (Print Shop program info).

• Magnets (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Investigate magnets and magnetism. A variety of activities will repel or attract you to explore polarity and use critical thinking skills. Included in regular admission (Magnets program info).

• Drake Day (in-person); 11 am-4 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• To celebrate the 164th anniversary of Col. Edwin Drake striking oil, the museum will host a day of music in the park, featuring performances by Mitch Littler, Franklin Silver Cornet Band, Mostly Brass, and Queen City Community Band. Included in regular admission (Drake Day program info).

• 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. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

Sunday, August 27

• Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Explore and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the recipes and plants that fed the early residents of Pennsbury. Included in regular admission (Beer Brewing and Garden program info).

Wednesday, August 30

• State Symbols: K4s Locomotive (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover why the Pennsylvania Railroad K4s became Pennsylvania’s Steam Locomotive. This innovation changed the way America traveled and explored. Learn about its historic significance and the science behind the vehicle. Included in regular admission (K4s Locomotive program info).

Thursday, August 31

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story and stay to explore the garden, visit with the farm animals, or have a picnic by the river. Admission is a $3 grounds pass (additional charge to tour the Manor House). Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• 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. Offered 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Geology Hall tour info).

Friday, September 1

• Storytime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab for a reading of We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. Learn more about the Tyrannosaurus rex and create your own T-rex to take home. For kids age 3 to 5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (State Museum Storytime).

• History Storytime (in-person); 11 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• The first Friday of each month will feature a different history topic with a related craft activity. Designed for preschool and kindergarten ages (Boone Homestead Storytime info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Sept. 5, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Sept. 19, 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. At 3:30 pm on Sept. 5, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Sept. 5 Sensory Hours and tickets for Sept. 19 Sensory Hours).

• 13th Annual Crush&Brew (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 9, 5-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy hosts this Ambridge Historic District event that features wine and beer tastings, food trucks, tours of the Harmonist Wine Cellar, and live music. Ticket includes a $10 food voucher and admission to after parties at several local businesses. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

• Lagers & Lumberjacks (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 16, 4-7 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Semi-professional competitors will take on six timbersport events. Logyard Brewing will have samples and local food trucks will have tasty eats. Even try your hand at axe throwing. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Tickets are $12 in advance ($8 for designated driver) and $15 at the door ($10 for designated driver). Member discounts available (Lagers & Lumberjacks info and tickets).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

What's in Your Weekend?

Look at full-size and scale model locomotives and railcars this weekend at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (photo via RMP's Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, August 18

• Model Railroading Days (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, Sunday, Noon-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch the world of operating model trains in action and see static displays from a variety of different participating groups and clubs, as well as the Museum’s own two operating HO layouts. Included in regular admission (Model Railroading Days info).

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Offered 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Ryan Reed from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will explain why the leaves change color in the fall, discuss which tree species will provide those standout colors and share the best places to go to view fall foliage in Pennsylvania. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, August 19

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Visit the "Life Through Time" gallery for a reading of My Mastodon by Barbara Lowell with illustrations by Antonio Marinoni. Discover the story of the Peale family living in a museum in Philadelphia. Create your own admission ticket and souvenir. Designed for kids under age 5 and included in regular admission (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Family Fun Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• We are partnering with Teachers' Teammates to bring awareness to the needs of students and teachers around Delaware County and to have a fun day learning about history from our various colonial interpreters. We'll be collecting needed items; each donated item gets you one free admission per person (Fun Day info and list of needed items).

• Chill and Build (in-person); 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• A chance for families to hang out and build something. Choose the colors and shapes to make your own creation or follow the pattern on the design cards to make a tree, rocket, and more using building blocks (Chill and Build program info).

• The "Dead" of Summer (in-person); 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• Experience a reenactment of an early 20th-century séance 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).

Sunday, August 20

• Paws on the Path (in-person); 9:15 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Come explore Daniel Boone Homestead with your furry friend. Join us on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 9:15 am, starting August 20th for a monthly dog walk. All dogs must be on a leash and well-behaved around other dogs. Walkers without dogs are welcome to come as well (dogs in the park program info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will prepare recipes of their choice using the bounty of the summer harvest. Included in regular admission (Open-hearth cooking program info).

• Old-Fashioned Games Day (in-person); 1-4 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Sunday was the one day of the week that woodhicks could relax and unwind. Bring the family to try some of the games woodhicks played, like checkers and horseshoes, as well as a variety of other fun 19th-century games (Games Day program info).

Tuesday, August 22

• 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 Aug. 22 Sensory Hours).

Wednesday, August 23

• State Symbols: Crown Vetch (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about the State Beautification and Conservation Plant and the practice of plant pressing to preserve herbarium specimens. Included in regular admission (Crown Vetch program info).

• Music on the Lawn (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• The Elegance String Quartet will perform on the riverside lawn of the Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House info).

Thursday, August 24

• 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).

• General Store (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the General Store, discover the items that people bought to care for their families as you “shop” from the past. Experience the toys and games families would have purchased. Included in regular admission (General Store program info).

• PA Geography with the Giant Map (in-person); 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the giant map of Pennsylvania as we walk across the state. Test your geography skills playing a game. Included in regular admission (PA Giant map program info).

Friday, August 25

• Family Gallery Tour: Ecology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about Pennsylvania’s major ecosystems, the wildlife and plants found here and the Pennsylvanians who contributed to the environmental movement during a tour of Ecology Hall. Included in regular admission (Ecology Hall tours info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 26, 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. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Sept. 5, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Sept. 19, 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 Sept. 5 Sensory Hours and tickets for Sept. 19 Sensory Hours).

• 13th Annual Crush&Brew (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 9, 5-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy hosts this Ambridge Historic District event that features wine and beer tastings, food trucks, tours of the Harmonist Wine Cellar, and live music. Ticket includes a $10 food voucher and admission to after parties at several local businesses. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

• Lagers & Lumberjacks (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 16, 4-7 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Semi-professional competitors will take on six timbersport events. Logyard Brewing will have samples and local food trucks will have tasty eats. Even try your hand at axe throwing. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Tickets are $12 in advance ($8 for designated driver) and $15 at the door ($10 for designated driver). Member discounts available (Lagers & Lumberjacks info and tickets).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

The Clock is Ticking

A resource fair for active duty military members and veterans will take place at the Pennsylvania Military Museum on Saturday (Photo via PMM Facebook page)

There's not much time left to plan those last-of-summer vacations. Let the list below be one of the places you start. Safe travels!

Up Next

Today, August 11

• Garden Tour (in-person); 11 am-Noon; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a tour of OEV's extraordinary gardens, learning about how the Harmonists shaped the land around Old Economy to combine aspects of medieval cloistered gardens, Germanic traditions, and American flora. Explore George Rapp's use of biblical imagery and discover its hidden features. Included in regular admission (OEV Garden Tour info).

• Toys and Games: 1950s and '60s (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from the 1950’s and 60’s. Test your skills at the Hula Hoop, walk the Slinky down the stairs and play a round of Twister. Included in regular admission (1950s-60s Toys and Games program info).

• Made in PA (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• From the practical to the tasty, discover the many revolutionary products that were made in Pennsylvania. Explore the products that are the keystone of our economy. Included in regular admission (Made in PA program info).

Saturday, August 12

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Resource Fair (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• As part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, organizations that support active duty military and veterans will be onsite for a resource fair. Several short presentations will be offered. Participating organizations include Humana Insurance, the V.A., The Women's Memorial, and WoVen network (PMM info).

• History Hike (in-person); 10 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Join us for a History Hike as we explore the history of the Daniel Boone Homestead. Please make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring some water to drink. Friendly Dogs are welcome to join us for the walk but must be on a leash and are not allowed in the historic buildings (History Hike 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 (Stargazing program info).

Sunday, August 13

• Living History Sunday (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Graeme Park
• Kids can participate in a colonial school, learn proper etiquette, play colonial games, try on colonial clothing, and learn about spinning, needlework, and carding wool. Tours of the historic Keith House will also be available at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 for $5/person. Living History activities are free (Graeme Park Living History info).

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• It's 1688 and Judith Roe has been charged with the murder of a traveler who spent the night at her house. Sit in on her trial to learn the details. Included in regular admission (Pennsbury Living History info).

• Ice Cream Social (in-person); 1-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Ice cream, brownie sundaes, live music, textile demos, and a chance to stroll the grounds and visit the historic buildings. All-inclusive admission of $10 for age 6 and up, $5 for members (Ice Cream Social info).

• WILD Illustrations (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Ecology Hall to explore a famous Pennsylvania naturalist and his wildlife art. Discover close looking and use your new knowledge to create your own art journal and wildlife illustration. Included in regular admission (Wildlife illustration program info).

Wednesday, August 16

• Bandits of the Night (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join museum educators in Nature Lab (3rd Floor) to learn about the raccoon's life, habitat, and adaptations. Stay to craft your own paperbag raccoon puppet. Included in regular admission (Raccoon program info).

• Toys and Games: 1970s and '80s (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from the 1970’s and 80’s. Test your skills at the Rubik’s Cube, explore action figure and see how quickly you can solve Perfection. Included in regular admission (1970s-80s Toys and Games program info).

• Captain Vicary and Life in Beaver County (in-person); 6-7:30 pm; Old Economy Village
• Brenda Applegate, executive director of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, will present a program based on the journal of Captain Vicary, a transplanted Philadelphia sea captain who settled in Beaver County as a gentleman farmer. The program will provide glimpses into everyday life in the county as well as Vicary's interactions with the Harmonists. The program is free, but registration is required (Captain Vicary lecture info and registration).

Thursday, August 17

• 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).

• State Symbols: Piper Cub (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover why the Piper J3 Cub was chosen as Pennsylvania’s state aircraft. Explore its historic importance during WWII and its revolutionary use as an affordable recreational aircraft. Test your skills at different paper airplane designs. Included in regular admission (Piper Cub program info).

Friday, August 18

• Model Railroading Days (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, Sunday, Noon-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch the world of operating model trains in action and see static displays from a variety of different participating groups and clubs, as well as the Museum’s own two operating HO layouts. Included in regular admission (Model Railroading Days info).

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Offered 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Ryan Reed from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will explain why the leaves change color in the fall, discuss which tree species will provide those standout colors and share the best places to go to view fall foliage in Pennsylvania. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9-11 am, and Tuesday, Sept. 5, 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. 22 Sensory Hours and tickets for Sept. 5 Sensory Hours).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 26, 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. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

• 13th Annual Crush&Brew (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 9, 5-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy hosts this Ambridge Historic District event that features wine and beer tastings, food trucks, tours of the Harmonist Wine Cellar, and live music. Ticket includes a $10 food voucher and admission to after parties at several local businesses. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

So, This is August

Enjoy a tour of the gardens at Old Economy Village next Friday, Aug. 11 (photo via OEV Facebook page)

Welcome to August. I hope your summer is going well and that you've had time to do the things you want to do. The listings below might give you some ideas if you're looking for activities outdoors or indoors. There seems to be a garden theme going on. In the week ahead, you'll find a garden party at Joseph Priestley House (August 6), storytime in the garden at Pennsbury Manor (August 10), a garden tour at Old Economy Village (August 11), and tickets on sale for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's garden railways tour in October. Gardens not your thing? We have lots of other stuff. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great week.

Up Next

Today, August 4

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Life Through Time Gallery for a reading of My Mastodon by Barbara Lowell with illustrations by Antonio Marinoni. Discover the story of the Peale family living in a museum in Philadelphia. Create your own admission ticket and souvenir. Included in regular admission (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us to explore the flora and fauna in Pennsylvania from the Carboniferous Period to the present. Learn about the habitats and environments that existed long ago and get hands-on with various fossils of these extinct species. Meet in Nature Lab on the 3rd floor at 11:30 am or 1:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Paleontology Tour 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 (First Friday program info).

Saturday, August 5

• Mastodons and Mammoths (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Follow the story of mastodons and mammoths and their evolution from the earliest examples to today’s modern elephants. Create your own scientific chart. Included in regular admission (Mastodon and Mammoth program info).

• Battle Reenactment (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• This year marks the 260th anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run (Battle reenactment program info).

• A Legacy of Service (in-person); 1-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, the museum is partnering with several agencies to present programs highlighting the history of women's military service in Pennsylvania and the nation. Keynote speaker is Brigadier General Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs. A reception follows. Registration is requested due to limited seating (Women's military history program info).

Sunday, August 6

• Garden Party/Oxygen Day (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Explore the gardens and the new outdoor exhibit starting at noon, with landscape architect Brehon Odronic and Master Gardeners from Northumberland County. Oxygen Day activities start at 1 when the house opens for self-guided tours. Dr. Priestley will conduct chemistry demos in the Pond Building at 1:30 and 2:30. There will be period music and light refreshments (Priestley House website).

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• 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 program info).

• Set the Scene (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us at the Conestoga Wagon on the Second Floor to discover two 19th-century landscape artists who captured Pennsylvania transportation history in their work. Learn close- looking techniques and use your new knowledge to capture your vision by creating your own landscape. Included in regular admission (landscape painting program info).

• Patriotic Concert (in-person); 5-7 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• The Ringgold Band will present a concert at the west end of Weiser Park. Please bring your own lawn chairs; water will be available. Veterans attending should register when they arrive so that they can be honored at intermission. Concert is free; donations welcome (Ringgold Band concert info).

Tuesday, August 8

• 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 Aug. 8 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).

Wednesday, August 9

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Touch furs, hold antlers, view skulls and ask questions during a tour of Mammal Hall. Included with general admission (Mammal Hall Tour info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Horse 2 Auto (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Look back at the history of transitioning 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 general admission (Horse 2 Auto tour info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky Live Chat (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 (Stargazing program info).

Thursday, August 10

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in the garden, then stay to explore the grounds, visit the farm animals, or have a snack by the river. Admission is a $3 Grounds Pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Seed to Bread (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover how a simple seed can turn into the bread we eat. Take home some historic recipes. Included in regular admission; takes place in the Transportation & Industry gallery on the Second Floor (Seed to Bread program info).

Friday, August 11

• Garden Tour (in-person); 11 am-Noon; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a tour of OEV's extraordinary gardens, learning about how the Harmonists shaped the land around Old Economy to combine aspects of medieval cloistered gardens, Germanic traditions, and American flora. Explore George Rapp's use of biblical imagery and discover its hidden features. Included in regular admission (OEV Garden Tour info).

• Toys and Games: 1950s and '60s (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from the 1950’s and 60’s. Test your skills at the Hula Hoop, walk the Slinky down the stairs and play a round of Twister. Included in regular admission (Toys and Games program info).

• Made in PA (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• From the practical to the tasty, discover the many revolutionary products that were made in Pennsylvania. Explore the products that are the keystone of our economy. Included in regular admission (Made in PA program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Captain Vicary and Life in Beaver County (in-person); Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6-7:30 pm; Old Economy Village
• Brenda Applegate, executive director of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, will present a program based on the journal of Captain Vicary, a transplanted Philadelphia sea captain who settled in Beaver County as a gentleman farmer. The program will provide glimpses into everyday life in the county as well as Vicary's interactions with the Harmonists. The program is free, but registration is required (Captain Vicary 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).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 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. 22 Sensory Hours).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 26, 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. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.