More Fall Beauty

A beautiful autumn day at Conrad Weiser Homestead. Staff and volunteers at the site have been working to bring the park back into line with the original Olmsted Brothers plan (photo via Conrad Weiser Homestead Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, October 27

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the First Floor Activity Room to learn about portraits. What are portraits and what can they tell us? Create your own self-portrait. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids program info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Archaeology curator (retired) Janet Johnson will discuss how The State Museum's collections are used by archaeologists to understand and interpret the past and what science has contributed to our knowledge of these curated collections. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); 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).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. Tours are at 7, 8, and 9 pm. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Oct. 27 Graeme Ghosts info).

• The Haunting of Duncan Campbell (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 7-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• This historical narrative program will present three ghost stories from the 18th century as visitors walk through the museum. Timed tickets for Friday and Saturday nights start at 7 pm, with time slots every half hour until 9:30 (Bushy Run Halloween program info and tickets).

• Old Economy After Dark (in-person); 7-11 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 (Oct. 27 OEV After Dark info and tickets).

Saturday, October 28

• 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 (Workshops in Archaeology info and registration).

• That's Gross! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the gross fluids that keep animals healthy and the science of polymers. Make some mucus to take home! This program is included in regular admission (That's Gross program info).

Sunday, October 29

• Trick-or-Treat in the Village (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Old Economy Village
• Costumed children ages 10 and under will go “door-to-door” on the historic site and trick-or-treat. New this year children will receive a free trick-or-treat bag when they check in at the Visitor Center. The event is free and will take place rain or shine. There is a suggested donation of $3 if you would like to help make future free events possible (Old Economy Trick-or-Treat info).

• Tricks & Treats (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy an afternoon of festive family-friendly Halloween fun mixed with Pennsylvania history. Children can come dressed in costumes for trick-or-treating, games, and 17th-century demonstrations. The event is free (Pennsbury Tricks & Treats info).

Friday, November 3

• Storytime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Come to the First Floor Activity Room for a reading of The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, followed by a chance to learn more about the use of the dot in artwork and to use dots to create your own art. Designed for ages 3 to 5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (State Museum Storytime info).

• 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

• 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 4, 10 am-4 pm; Hope Lodge
• This event commemorates the time from November 2 to December 11, 1777, when General George Washington and the Continental Army were encamped in the Whitemarsh Hills. Continental and British soldier re-enactors and living history events. Tickets available in advance or at the door (Whitemarsh Encampment info and tickets).

• 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 4, 7-10 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are now available for this event that takes place during the museum's annual Trains and Troops event Nov. 4-5. Advance tickets for the dance are recommended; admission to the daytime programs is available at the door (Railroad Museum Swing Dance tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Nov. 7, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Nov. 21, 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 Nov. 7, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Nov. 7 Sensory Hours and tickets for Nov. 21 Sensory Hours).

• Coffee or Tea with Louisa May Alcott (in-person); Sunday, Nov. 12, 10:30 am and 1:30 pm; Graeme Park
• It's 1868 and Louisa May Alcott, who was born not far from Graeme Park, returns to the area as part of a speaking tour in support of her most successful book to date, Little Women: or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. She'll read from her various works, talk about her life and artistic influences, and welcome feedback on her upcoming sequel. After the presentation, enjoy coffee and pastries (10:30 event) or tea and sweets (1:30 event). Advance tickets are required (Louisa May Alcott event tickets).

• Bound by the Furnace: Iron Slavery in Early National Pennsylvania (virtual); Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian Cory Young will present a program based on his research about the use of enslaved labor in the iron industry. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall Iron Furnace lecture registration).

• Wreaths & Greens Workshop (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 25, 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Make a fragrant evergreen wreath to take home. Please bring your own clippers. Offered 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm. Space is limited (Wreaths & Greens workshop info).

• Ethnic Traditions (in-person); Sunday, Dec. 3, 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Each year, the Somerset Historical Center brings together local families from diverse cultural backgrounds for a tasting and discussion of their food, music, and traditions. This year the dinner features dishes from Indian, Swedish, and Chilean cuisine. Dinner is held at Friedens Lutheran Church (Ethnic Traditions dinner info).

It's Not All Halloween (But A Lot of It Is)

Package freighter Dean Richmond sometime prior to sinking on Lake Erie in 1893 (photo via Alpena County Public Library - collection also includes some interior views)

We are heading straight into the tell-tale heart of Halloween season on the Trails of History. But if Halloween (spooky and otherwise) isn't your thing, there are lots of other options. Don't forget to check out DCNR's foliage reports to see where the best fall color in the state can be found. Enjoy!

Up Next

Today, October 20

• Story Time with the Educator (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Designed for children ages 2 through preK and led by a Museum educator, Story Time features a reading of a specially selected children’s book and a hands-on activity, craft, song or poem. Included in regular admission (Railroad Museum October 20 story time).

• Artists Conversations (in-person); 5:30-7:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Admission to the Art of the State exhibit is free tonight as part of 3rd in the Burg. Artist Eddy López will be part of a conversation in the exhibit starting at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served (Art of the State artist conversation).

• Wreck of the Dean Richmond (in-person); 6-8 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• This free lecture on the sinking of the freighter Dean Richmond on Lake Erie in 1893 is presented in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Archaeology Shipwreck Survey Team (PASST). It will take place in the Hirt Auditorium, just off the lobby the museum shares with Erie County Public Library (Erie shipwreck program info).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. As of Thursday, tickets available for 9 pm tour only. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Oct. 20 Graeme Ghosts info).

Saturday, October 21

• Trains and Treats (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Children will have a chance to tour the museum's exhibits and some of the historic locomotives and railroad cars in Rolling Stock Hall. They will receive a treat bag to collect candy (nut-free) and small, non-food items at each stop along the way. Recommended for ages 3 to 12 and included in regular admission. Costumes are welcome but not required (Trains and Treats 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).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Jim Christ, president of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund, will present a program addressing common myths about the Battle of Paoli (Sept. 20, 1777) and exploring its influence on the remainder of the American Revolution. Tickets are $20 and include the lecture, light refreshments, and access to the museum's exhibit gallery and afternoon tours (Revolutionary Speaker Series info and tickets).

• 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. Planetarium tickets must be obtained at ground floor desk at least five minutes before showtime (Oct. 21 Stargazing program info).

• Historical Halloween (in-person); 5-8 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Safe, family-friendly trick-or-treating outdoors at the Somerset Historical Center, including tractor-drawn wagon rides, maple kettle corn, and fresh apple cider pressed on-site. Admission is $3 per child; adult chaperones are free. Costumes encouraged but not required (Somerset Halloween program info).

• Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person); 6-9:30 pm; Hope Lodge
• Explore Hope Lodge by lantern light and participate in an immersive tour of the grounds. Reservations required (Hope Lodge Lantern Tours info and tickets).

• Spooky Lantern Tours (in-person); 6:30-8:30 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Join us for a walk through the site by lantern light. Listen to ghost stories and trick-or-treat along the way. Decorate pumpkins, make pinecone birdfeeders, and have some refreshments in the museum program room. Admission is $5 per person older than age 3. Costumes encouraged (Lumber Museum Lantern Tours info).

• Pottery Book Release and Lecture (in-person); 7-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Author Michael Strezewski will present a talk at Old Economy Village to mark the release of his new book, Christoph Weber Redware Potter of the Harmony Society. There will be a small pottery exhibit and books will be available for purchase. Register online to reserve your spot (Harmonist pottery book lecture).

Sunday, October 22

• Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Learn about Conrad Weiser and the people of the Tulpehocken Valley. Guided walk of the park begins at 2 pm (Weiser Sunday event info).

• Heritage Day Fall Festival (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• This living history event features a variety of eighteenth-century demonstrations, trades, and hands-on activities. These include blacksmithing, hearth cooking, wool dyeing, candle dipping, colonial music, and more. The event will also feature craft and specialty food vendors as well as fall activities for children like pumpkin painting. Admission charged (Boone Fall Festival info).

• Haunted Story Time & Trick-or-Treating (in-person); 1-3 pm; Graeme Park
• Kids can trick-or-treat through each room of the Keith House while witches, ghosts, pirates, and goblins read parts of a story in each room. Costumes encouraged (Graeme Park Storytime and Trick-or-Treat event).

• Sunday programming (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Delaware Tribal members from Oklahoma will tell stories from their heritage, encourage audience participation for Native dances, have games for kids, and talk about where they are today. Visitors can also watch the brewers make pumpkin ale and check out the fall garden. All included in regular admission.

• 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. Planetarium tickets must be obtained at ground floor desk at least five minutes before showtime (Oct. 22 Stargazing program info).

Wednesday, October 25

• WILD Illustration (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 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 art program info).

Friday, October 27

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the First Floor Activity Room to learn about portraits. What are portraits and what can they tell us? Create your own self-portrait. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids program info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Archaeology curator (retired) Janet Johnson will discuss how The State Museum's collections are used by archaeologists to understand and interpret the past and what science has contributed to our knowledge of these curated collections. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); 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).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. Tours are at 7, 8, and 9 pm. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite; as of last check, tickets available only for 7 pm tour. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Oct. 27 Graeme Ghosts info).

• The Haunting of Duncan Campbell (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 7-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• This historical narrative program will present three ghost stories from the 18th century as visitors walk through the museum. Timed tickets for Friday and Saturday nights start at 7 pm, with time slots every half hour until 9:30 (Bushy Run Halloween program info and tickets).

• Old Economy After Dark (in-person); 7-11 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 (Oct. 27 OEV After Dark info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 4, 7-10 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are now available for this event that takes place during the museum's annual Trains and Troops event Nov. 4-5. Advance tickets for the dance are recommended; admission to the daytime programs is available at the door (Railroad Museum Swing Dance tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Nov. 7, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Nov. 21, 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 Nov. 7, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Nov. 7 Sensory Hours and tickets for Nov. 21 Sensory Hours).

• Coffee or Tea with Louisa May Alcott (in-person); 10:30 am and 1:30 pm; Graeme Park
• It's 1868 and Louisa May Alcott, who was born not far from Graeme Park, returns to the area as part of a speaking tour in support of her most successful book to date, Little Women: or Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. She'll read from her various works, talk about her life and artistic influences, and welcome feedback on her upcoming sequel. After the presentation, enjoy coffee and pastries (10:30 event) or tea and sweets (1:30 event). Advance tickets are required (Louisa May Alcott event tickets).

• Bound by the Furnace: Iron Slavery in Early National Pennsylvania (virtual); Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian Cory Young will present a program based on his research about the use of enslaved labor in the iron industry. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall Iron Furnace lecture registration).

Harvest Time

Pumpkins and gourds grown at Cornwall Iron Furnace (photo via Cornwall's Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, October 13

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab to learn about the unique adaptations that make a dinosaur different from any other reptile and explore the different types of dinosaurs that existed. Create your own dinosaur sculpture to take home. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids info).

• Cello Concert (in-person); 8-10 pm; Old Economy Village
• Grammy Award winning cellist Eugene Friesen (and Friends) will perform a concert in the Feast Hall featuring Harmonist music. Friesen previously recorded a CD of Harmonist music titled In Harmony. Tickets are $25, $20 for OEV members, $10 for students and may be purchased at the door or in advance via Ticket Leap (Eugene Friesen concert info and tickets).

Saturday, October 14

• Fall Nature Walk (in-person); 10-11 am; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about historical and modern uses for a wide variety of plant life. Please wear sturdy shoes (such as hiking boots) and dress for the weather. Cost is $5 per person, free for members (Nature Walk info).

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Did you know that the dioramas in Mammal Hall are based on real locations in Pennsylvania? Locate each of these spots on the Giant Map of Pennsylvania and discover some interesting facts about our state mammals. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall program info).

• Cemetery Tours (in-person); Saturday, 7-8 pm, and Sunday, 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); 7-11 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 (Oct. 14 OEV After Dark info and tickets).

Sunday, October 15

• Paws on the Path (in-person); 9:10-10 am; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Come explore Daniel Boone Homestead with your furry friend. All dogs must be on a leash and well-behaved around other dogs. Walkers without dogs are welcome to come as well (Paws on the Path info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will demonstrate different types of 17th-century puddings. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking program info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 2:30-3:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us on this family friendly tour of Geology Hall and explore Pennsylvania’s rocks and minerals. Included in regular admission (Geology Hall tour info).

Tuesday, October 17

• 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 Oct. 17 Sensory Hours).

Wednesday, October 18

• 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. Planetarium tickets must be obtained at ground floor desk at least five minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

• History Speaks Series (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Dr. Peter Gilmore, Carlow University, will present "The Long Road from Ireland to Bushy Run," exploring the history of settlers from Northern Ireland who arrived in Westmoreland County in 1763 (History Speaks Series info and tickets).

Thursday, October 19

• Historical Archaeology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the artifacts from the archeological dig at Fort Hunter. Uncover the hundreds of years of occupation and the mysteries the dig uncovered. Test your own archaeological skills. Included in regular admission (Archaeology program info).

• Ghouls on the Bay: Trick-or-Treat! (in-person); 6-8 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• Ghouls come to life at the Museum! Join us for a fun, (non-scary) family-friendly trick-or-treat event. Dress up in your costume, trick-or-treat, meet members of Oliver Hazard Perry’s crew, and take part in Halloween-themed maritime activities! Tickets are $5 for trick-or-treaters; parents/guardians are free (Erie Trick or Treat event info).

Friday, October 20

• Story Time with the Educator (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Designed for children ages 2 through preK and led by a Museum educator, Story Time features a reading of a specially selected children’s book and a hands-on activity, craft, song or poem. Included in regular admission (Railroad Museum October 20 story time).

• Artists Conversations (in-person); 5:30-7:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Admission to the Art of the State exhibit is free tonight as part of 3rd in the Burg. Artist Eddy López will be part of a conversation in the exhibit starting at 6 pm. Refreshments will be served (Art of the State artist conversation).

• Wreck of the Dean Richmond (in-person); 6-8 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• This free lecture on the sinking of the freighter Dean Richmond on Lake Erie in 1893 is presented in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Archaeology Shipwreck Survey Team (PASST). It will take place in the Hirt Auditorium, just off the lobby the museum shares with Erie County Public Library (Shipwreck program info).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. Tours are at 7, 8, (sold out) and 9 pm. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Oct. 20 Graeme Ghosts info).

• POSTPONED TO NOV. 17, 7:45-11:15 pm: Star Watch (in-person); 9 pm-12:30 am; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Berks Astronomy will be on hand with telescopes to help visitors observe an array of celestial objects, including stars and planets. Dress warmly and bring a red light flashlight, which doesn't interfere with stargazing (Star Watch info and observation list).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 21, Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Jim Christ, president of the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Fund, will present a program addressing common myths about the Battle of Paoli (Sept. 20, 1777) and exploring its influence on the remainder of the American Revolution. Tickets are $20 and include the lecture, light refreshments, and access to the museum's exhibit gallery and afternoon tours (Revolutionary Speaker Series info and tickets).

• Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 21, 6-9:30 pm; Hope Lodge
• Explore Hope Lodge by lantern light and participate in an immersive tour of the grounds. Reservations required (Hope Lodge Lantern Tours info and tickets).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, Oct. 27, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Archaeology curator (retired) Janet Johnson will discuss how The State Museum's collections are used by archaeologists to understand and interpret the past and what science has contributed to our knowledge of these curated collections. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

• 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).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); Friday, Oct. 27, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. Tours are at 7, 8, and 9 pm. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Oct. 27 Graeme Ghosts info).

• Old Economy After Dark (in-person); Friday, Oct. 27, 7-11 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 (Oct. 27 OEV After Dark info and tickets).

• 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).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Nov. 7, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Nov. 21, 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 Nov. 7, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Nov. 7 Sensory Hours and tickets for Nov. 21 Sensory Hours).

• Bound by the Furnace: Iron Slavery in Early National Pennsylvania (virtual); Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian Cory Young will present a program based on his research about the use of enslaved labor in the iron industry. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall Iron Furnace lecture registration).

Apples and Pumpkins and More

The Company Store exhibit building at Eckley Miners' Village with signs of fall foliage (photo via Eckley's Facebook page)

There's plenty to do this weekend and in the week ahead - apple dumpling sales, lectures, concerts, historical demonstrations. What's not to like? And if you want to match your travels to the progress of fall foliage across our beautiful state, don't forget to check the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Fall Foliage Maps. Enjoy!

Up Next

Today, 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).

• 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).

Saturday, October 7

• Fall Antique Show & Sawmill Run (in-person); Saturday, 9 am-5 pm, and Sunday, 9 am-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Multiple antique vendors will be on hand in the museum program room both days, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. On Saturday only the steam-powered circular sawmill will be demonstrated from 10 am to 3 pm. Other demos both days include the birch still, lumber camp kitchen, blacksmith shop, and the Eastern Loggers model railroad display. Admission charged (Antique Show & Sawmill Run info).

• Harvest Days and Silent Auction (in-person); Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am-5 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Come for demonstrations, exhibits, live music, and children’s activities. Taste heirloom varieties of apples and watch them become apple butter and cider. Witness wool go from sheep to shawl. Pick a pumpkin of your very own and then decorate it. Admission charged; parking is free. Food will be available for purchase on-site. New this year: bid on a variety of museum passes, experiences, libations, and heritage pieces inspired by the museum's collection during the 2-day silent auction in the Firehouse (Harvest Days info).

• Benjamin Franklin's Inventions (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 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 life and the lives around him. Create your own Pennsylvania Gazette. Included in regular admission (Ben Franklin's Innovations program info).

• Patriot's Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Learn what life was like for soldiers and camp followers during the Revolutionary War from period reenactors. Military drills and firing demonstrations will be conducted at various times during the event. Colonial trades and cooking will also be demonstrated. Tours of the Ring House (Washington’s Headquarters) are at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, and tours of the Gilpin House are at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Admission charged (Patriot's Day info).

• Frosty Mugs of Thunder (in-person); 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).

Sunday, October 8

• Trails of History Run (in-person); 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).

• Day of Music (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• The Ephrata Cloister Chorus, under the direction of Mark Herr and accompanied by Juliet Mitton, will offer a selection of music written in colonial Ephrata and from other early American communities, including the Amish and Moravians. The concerts at 2:00 and 3:00 are included with admission to the site. Tours of the historic buildings will be provided at 12:30 and 1:30 and will conclude in time for the concerts that follow (Day of Music info).

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• You are cordially invited to the wedding of Mary Lofty and John Sotcher, who work for the Penn family, as they are joined in marriage in a traditional Quaker ceremony. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

Tuesday, October 10

• Battle of Germantown (virtual); 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).

Wednesday, October 11

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); 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).

• PA State Fossil (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about Eldredgeops rana, a trilobite fossil from the Cambrian period, designated PA's state fossil in 1988. Make a trilobite to take home. Included in regular admission (State Fossil program info).

Friday, October 13

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab to learn about the unique adaptations that make a dinosaur different from any other reptile and explore the different types of dinosaurs that existed. Create your own dinosaur sculpture to take home. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids info).

• Cello Concert (in-person); 8-10 pm; Old Economy Village
• Grammy Award winning cellist Eugene Friesen (and Friends) will perform a concert in the Feast Hall featuring Harmonist music. Friesen previously recorded a CD of Harmonist music titled In Harmony. Tickets are $25, $20 for OEV members, $10 for students and may be purchased at the door or in advance via Ticket Leap (Eugene Friesen concert info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); Friday, Oct. 20, 7-9 pm, and Friday, Oct. 27, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. Tours are at 7, 8, and 9 pm. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Graeme Ghosts info).

• Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 21, 6-9:30 pm; Hope Lodge
• Explore Hope Lodge by lantern light and participate in an immersive tour of the grounds. Reservations required (Hope Lodge Lantern Tours info and tickets).

• 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).