Fall Begins

Denton Hill as seen from the grounds of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (photo via the Lumber Museum's Facebook page)

Now that it is both meteorological and astronomical autumn, it's time to start tracking Pennsylvania's beautiful fall foliage. As you can see in the photo above, the leaves are just starting to change color at the PA Lumber Museum, in the northern tier. So there's still time to plan your leaf-peeping road trips. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) posts a weekly update with maps showing where to see fall color at its best. Be sure to also check out events on the PA Trails of History to round out your autumn travels.

Up Next

Sunday, October 1

• Living History Sunday (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• The Homestead will host the Archbury Foundation, a Berks County-based group who interpret the period 1935-1945, with emphasis on World War II. Admission is free, and donations are welcome (Living History Sunday info).

• 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).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); 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.

Tuesday, October 3

• 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. At 3:30 pm on Oct. 3, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Oct. 3 Sensory Hours).

Friday, October 6

• Apple Dumpling Days (in-person); Friday, 9 am-3 pm, and Saturday, 9 am-sold out; Ephrata Cloister
• Apple Dumplings will be for sale via a drive-through tent near the Museum Store. Cost is $5.50 per dumpling and proceeds benefit the Back to the Cloister Fund. Pre-orders accepted (Apple Dumpling sale info).

• Storytime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us to read Dinosaur Bones by Bob Barner to find out fun facts about some favorite dinosaurs and create dinosaur art to take home. For ages 3 to 5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (State Museum Storytime info).

• POSTPONED 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).

• Benjamin Franklin's Inventions (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Celebrate the 300th Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s arrival to Pennsylvania. Explore the innovations that Franklin used to improve his and the lives around him. Create your own Pennsylvania Gazette. Included in regular admission (Ben Franklin program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Frosty Mugs of Thunder (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 7, 2-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Kick off autumn with a beer, wine, and spirits fest. Live music and local food, as well. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend; ticket holders must show photo ID at the entrance (Frosty Mugs of Thunder info and tickets).

• Trails of History Run (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 8, 9 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Run through the historic Daniel Boone Homestead and experience the same trails Daniel explored as a child. Runners do one or two 5k loops around the Homestead. The course is a combination of road and short grass. 1/2-mile fun run/walk for all ages around the historical area starting at the Craft Shed at 10:15. Walkers permitted in 5k and fun run/walk only (Boone Homestead Trail Run info).

• Battle of Germantown (virtual); Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael Harris will present a program on the Battle of Germantown during the American Revolution. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Battle of Germantown lecture info).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wednesday, Oct. 11, 10 am-1 pm; Graeme Park
• Sue Johnston will present a program on courtship and marriage in early America, exploring differences between different economic classes and the status of children born outside of marriage, abandoned, or orphaned. Program includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Tours of the Keith House will be available after lunch (Lunch & Learn info and tickets).

• SOLD OUT! Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Visitors will walk the former streets of the legendary oil boomtown, meeting some of Pithole's most famous historical figures along the way. Tours depart the visitor center every 10 minutes from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and last approximately 90 minutes. Advance tickets only (Pithole Lantern Tour tickets).

• Cemetery Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-8 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2-3 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• This event takes place at Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland with tours starting every 15 minutes. Meet 10 characters representing individuals in the cemetery who will guide you through the graveyard. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 and under (accompanied by an adult). Call 570-473-9474 for tickets (Priestley House events calendar).

• Old Economy After Dark (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• OEV has partnered with Beaver County Paranormal for an evening of exploration in the Village. BCP will present two lectures on paranormal investigation, and attendees are welcome to bring hand-held investigation equipment (no large equipment or metal detectors). Please note that this is not a "haunted" event with costumed figures or scares. Advance tickets only: $20 general admission, $25 VIP ticket lets you stay later in the evening and access additional spaces (OEV After Dark info and tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Oct. 17, 9-11 am, and Tuesday, Nov. 7, 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. At 3:30 pm on Nov. 7, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Oct. 17 Sensory Hours and tickets for Nov. 7 Sensory Hours).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); Friday, Oct. 27, 6:30 and 8:30 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• This two-hour nighttime tour explores the museum grounds and adjacent cemetery. Recommended for adults and older teens. Dress for the weather and please bring a flashlight. Offered at 6:30 and 8:30; light refreshments will be served in the Landis Valley Hotel. Reservations required (info and tickets for Harvest, Death & Renewal).

• Workshops in Archaeology 2023 (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This year's theme is Discovering the Past: The Sciences of Archaeology. Sessions will feature experts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), C14 dating, GPR survey, geoarchaeology, and more. Please join us as we explore how these specialized analyses are conducted and how the results enhance our understanding of the environmental and human past. Early registration by Oct. 20 is $25; discounts available. Registration at the door is $35 (no discounts). Bagged lunches, available for $8.50, must be ordered by Oct. 20 (Workshops in Archaeology info and registration).