January 2020 on the Trails of History

Please be sure to check site operating schedules before you visit to avoid disappointment and frustration. Winter brings adjusted days, hours, and/or building availability, as well as the occasional weather-related closure. All sites will be closed on January 1 for New Year’s and on January 20 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

Please note: many sites are in the process of updating their online calendars for the coming year. I will try to post new info as it becomes available. Please check back periodically for additions or check with the site if you are looking for a specific program.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 18: Knox Mine Disaster Commemoration—the program includes speakers, music, and a display of mining memorabilia (see Facebook event for details). Admission is free. 2-3:30 pm.

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Jan. 21: Revolutionary Dining Series—Joseph Seymour, Army National Guard historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History, will present a talk on the Military Association of Pennsylvania, commonly known as the Pennsylvania Associators. Cost is $50 per person and includes salad, entree, and dessert in addition to the program (see Facebook event page for more info). Program takes place at The Gables at Chadds Ford, 6-9 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Jan. 9: Historic Sewing Workshop Series—each workshop consists of one hour of formal instruction followed by an hour of open studio stitching (see Facebook event page for details and registration instructions. Also offered Feb. 13, Mar. 12, and Apr. 9. 6-8 pm.
Jan. 11: Intro to Embroidery—Jessica Young will lead this beginner-level class exploring the basics of embroidery (all skill levels are welcome). Participants will make a hanging pincushion appropriate for accentuating your 18th-century wardrobe. Cost is $75 and includes all materials (and refreshments). See Facebook event page for details. 9:30 am-3 pm.
Jan. 25-26: Making Basic 18th-Century Accessories—learn to make a plain pocket, a triangular linen neck handkerchief, a silk bonnet, and a pair of fancy garters during this two-day hands-on workshop. Cost is $165 and includes lunch and snacks both days. Check out the Facebook event page for details on how to register. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., 10 am-4 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Jan. 30: Winter History Class begins—learn about the history of the community at Ephrata and the world that surrounded it. Speakers include site staff as well as outside scholars. Sessions are held from 9 am to noon each Thursday through March 26, and there is a field trip (extra charge) on April 2. Cost for the entire class is $55, $45 for members; you can attend individual classes for $10 each. Call the site at 717/733-6600 for more information or to register.

Fort Pitt Museum
Fort Pitt will be closed in January for collections inventory and exhibit maintenance/upgrades. Please visit the website for information.

Joseph Priestley House
Jan. 5: Twelfth Night—glimpse the Priestley family’s life in Northumberland with a taste of the English customs they remembered. The house will be decorated as an English country manor, costumed docents will be on hand, and there will be chemistry demonstrations and children’s games. Free admission. 4-7 pm (chem demos in the Pond Building at 4:30 and 5:30 - space is limited for those, get tickets at the visitor center).

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Jan. 4, 18, 19, 25: Winter Workshops—check out the workshop page on Landis Valley’s website for details on a variety of hands-on classes for adults; you’ll see the schedule for February and March as well. Times and costs vary.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Jan. 25: Winter in the Lumber Camp— outdoor fun in the snow with sledding, snow men, and snow art activities. Try your hand at cross-country skis, snowshoes and ice skates (conditions permitting) with the help of equipment provided by PA DCNR and volunteer instructors. Food and drink available in the program room. Keep an eye on the Facebook event page for details. 10 am-4 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 14-Feb. 9: Murder on the Orient Express at Fulton Theatre—the museum is partnering with Fulton Theatre to offer group and individual tour packages during the run of the play, for a great cross-over experience. Visit the museum’s Facebook page for details.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the museum’s Planetarium page for a full schedule.
Jan. 3: StoryTime—this month's program takes place in Nature Lab and features Charlotte the Scientist is Squished by Camille Andros. Program is designed for children ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult. Included in general admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
Jan. 9: Curiosity Kids—visit Nature Lab to learn about owls. Geared for ages 3-6 with an adult. This program is included in general admission, but space is limited, so be sure to sign up at the front desk when you arrive. 11:30 am.
Jan. 17: Learn at Lunch—join the Art Docents for a tour of Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919, on view through April 26. 12:15 pm.
Jan. 23: Nature Lab—learn how to identify different kinds of rocks. Included in general admission. 11:30 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for info on this month's programs and schedule.