PHMC's Trails of History sites remain closed to the public at this time. Where applicable, grounds are open to visitors during posted hours and in accordance with guidance from the CDC and PA Dept. of Health. Stay tuned to PHMC's website and social media for updates (or Trailheads, of course). The list below includes links to Facebook pages for the Trails of History and individual sites (please note that Fort Pitt Museum is on a different schedule than other sites and that Washington Crossing Historic Park is under the jurisdiction of PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources). Online events are listed as we get info. This page will be updated as new info becomes available.
Pennsylvania Trails of History on Facebook
Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces on Facebook
Brandywine Battlefield Park on Facebook
Bushy Run Battlefield on Facebook
Aug. 2-7: Living History Virtual Camp--explore Native American life through activities during this at-home program. Cost is $45 per child and includes an activity kit that families will pick up at the site on August 2. The Facebook event page shows a suggested schedule for activities, but participants will be able to work at their own pace and convenience. Registration deadline is July 18 (more info and registration form).
Conrad Weiser Homestead on Facebook
Cornwall Iron Furnace on Facebook
Aug. 11: Online Lecture--James Lewars will present "America in the 1840s," examining changes to such things as transportation, communications, industry and even warfare. Lewars (who retired from PHMC in 2017 after a long and productive career) will draw upon some observations of a central Pennsylvania volunteer in the Mexican War. Cornwall site administrator Michael Emery will moderate a brief Q&A at the end of the presentation. The lecture is free (donations welcome), but registration is required to get the Zoom link (details of the Facebook event page). 7-8 pm.
Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook
Drake Well Museum and Park on Facebook
Aug. 4, 6, 11, 13: Virtual Summer Camp--Drake Well's Discovery Days summer camp, designed for kids age 8-12, is going virtual this year. Event is free, but registration is required to get the Zoom link. Deadline to register is July 31. Details on the Facebook event page. 10-11:30 am.
Aug. 27: Drake Day Virtual Lecture--curator Susan Beates will present "Memories to Museum: Honoring Drake and the Birthplace of the Petroleum Industry" via Zoom. The program is free, but space is limited and you must register to get the link. Visit the Facebook event page for details and registration info. 7-8 pm.
Eckley Miners' Village on Facebook
Ephrata Cloister on Facebook
August 1: A Householder Homecoming--Ephrata had planned to host a reunion of descendants of the married people and families who worshipped and worked with the celibate brothers and sisters of the community. This is now a free online event, "Our Brethren Who Have Their Own Farms," a historical overview of the "householders." The program will take place via Zoom, and you must register to receive access. You'll find more info on the Facebook event page. 2 pm.
August 13: Ephrata Academy--today's online program is "'We Have Submitted Without Reluctance': The Ephrata Cloister and the Revolutionary War," focusing on Ephrata's role in caring for injured and ill members of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-78. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link for the live program (more info on Facebook event page). A recorded version will be available on YouTube sometime after 8/13. 7-8 pm.
Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara on Facebook
Aug. 6, 13: Little Mates Virtual Summer Camp--every Thursday, the museum posts new nautically themed activities for kids and their families to do at home and then share with the museum. More info on Facebook.
August 15: Sail to Steam 2.0: Naval Warfare--this online lecture will be presented by Charles Johnson, museum educator at the Erie Maritime Museum, and moderated by Tyler Gum, site administrator at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. The lecture is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (more info and link for tickets are on the Facebook event page). 2-3 pm.
Fort Pitt Museum on Facebook
Graeme Park on Facebook
Hope Lodge on Facebook
Joseph Priestley House on Facebook
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum on Facebook
Old Economy Village on Facebook
Pennsbury Manor on Facebook
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum on Facebook
Aug. 22: The Geography of Penn's Woods--using maps, photos, and other visuals, Dr. Paul Kelley will present a program on Pennsylvania's geographical regions and the types of forests found in each. The program is free (donations welcome), but registration is required to get the Zoom link. See Facebook event page for details. 7-9 pm.
Pennsylvania Military Museum on Facebook
August 15: Sail to Steam 2.0: Naval Warfare--this online lecture will be presented by Charles Johnson, museum educator at the Erie Maritime Museum, and moderated by Tyler Gum, site administrator at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. The lecture is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (more info and link for tickets are on the Facebook event page). 2-3 pm.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania on Facebook
UPDATE 8/6 - according to the Eventbrite page, registration is now closed.
Aug. 4, 11, 18: Barons and Builders Virtual Summer Camp--this camp will take kids age 9-12 behind the scenes at the museum (virtually) on three successive Tuesdays. Kids will learn about the historic railroad equipment, build an O scale model railroad car, meet some special guests, and interact (virtually) with fellow campers to solve challenges. Cost is $75 for three 1-hour sessions and includes an activity kit that will be mailed prior to camp. More info on the Facebook event page, including how to register.
Aug. 5: An Afternoon with the Collections and Archives Staff--go behind the scenes with museum staff to learn how they handle prospective donations to the artifact and archival collections. This online program will be offered on the Zoom platform, so pre-registration is required. Cost is $5 per person (or per viewing screen). Details are on the Facebook event page. 2 pm.
Aug. 12: Virtual Happy Hour: Our Favorite Things--museum staff will share some of their favorites from the collection in this relaxed program (intended for grownups). Attendance is by donation, but you do have to sign up on Eventbrite to get the link (see Facebook event page for details). Registrants will receive a few drink recipes from cookbooks in the museum's collection. 7-8 pm.
Aug. 17: RMP in Its 45th Year--the museum marked its 45th anniversary in April (remember April?). Tonight's program takes a look at how the museum came to be and what lies ahead. Cost is $5 per person (or single screen) and is suitable for all ages. Visit the Facebook event page to register. 7 pm.
Aug. 19: Online Program--staff will present a virtual tour, "The Dawn of Diesel Locomotives: The E7, GP9 and GP30." This program is designed for all ages and is offered by donation. It will be presented via Zoom, so you must register to receive the link. Visit the Facebook event page for details. 7 pm.
Aug. 26: Behind the Scenes Program--this online event will feature the Western Maryland Business Car and the Lotos Club Pullman car. Staff will provide livestreamed virtual tours of these two passenger cars that are rarely, if ever, open to the public. They will also share stories of the people, primarily Pullman porters, who worked on these cars. Cost is $5 per person or access through on screen (via Zoom), and the program is suitable for all ages. Visit the Facebook event page for details and registration. 2-3 pm.
Somerset Historical Center on Facebook
The State Museum of Pennsylvania on Facebook
Washington Crossing Historic Park (DCNR) on Facebook
Aug. 5: An Afternoon with the Collections and Archives Staff--go behind the scenes with museum staff to learn how they handle prospective donations to the artifact and archival collections. This online program will be offered on the Zoom platform, so pre-registration is required. Cost is $5 per person (or per viewing screen). Details are on the Facebook event page. 2 pm.
Aug. 12: Virtual Happy Hour: Our Favorite Things--museum staff will share some of their favorites from the collection in this relaxed program (intended for grownups). Attendance is by donation, but you do have to sign up on Eventbrite to get the link (see Facebook event page for details). Registrants will receive a few drink recipes from cookbooks in the museum's collection. 7-8 pm.
Aug. 17: RMP in Its 45th Year--the museum marked its 45th anniversary in April (remember April?). Tonight's program takes a look at how the museum came to be and what lies ahead. Cost is $5 per person (or single screen) and is suitable for all ages. Visit the Facebook event page to register. 7 pm.
Aug. 19: Online Program--staff will present a virtual tour, "The Dawn of Diesel Locomotives: The E7, GP9 and GP30." This program is designed for all ages and is offered by donation. It will be presented via Zoom, so you must register to receive the link. Visit the Facebook event page for details. 7 pm.
Aug. 26: Behind the Scenes Program--this online event will feature the Western Maryland Business Car and the Lotos Club Pullman car. Staff will provide livestreamed virtual tours of these two passenger cars that are rarely, if ever, open to the public. They will also share stories of the people, primarily Pullman porters, who worked on these cars. Cost is $5 per person or access through on screen (via Zoom), and the program is suitable for all ages. Visit the Facebook event page for details and registration. 2-3 pm.
Somerset Historical Center on Facebook
The State Museum of Pennsylvania on Facebook
Washington Crossing Historic Park (DCNR) on Facebook
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