June 2019 on the Trails of History

This page will be updated as new info is received.

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
June 7-9: Arts on Fire Festival—this popular annual event returns to the Scranton Iron Furnaces. From the Friday evening fundraiser to the free admission events with art, music, food trucks and more, this is a must-see festival (more details on the Facebook event page).

Brandywine Battlefield
June 8: Georgius Rex Day—celebrate the birthday of King George III and learn about all things British in pre-Revolutionary Pennsylvania. Admission charged. Noon-4 pm.
June 9: Kid's Day—enjoy family-friendly activities on a Sunday afternoon. Admission charged for adults, but kids get in free. Noon-4 pm.
June 16: 18th Century Day—learn about life in the 18th century through living history presentations. Admission charged. Noon-4 pm.
June 23: History in the Neighborhood—learn about other historic sites in the Brandywine area. Included in regular admission. Noon-4 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
June 1: Bushy Run Ghost Tour—Bushy Run tour guides and members of a visiting paranormal group will work in teams to guide visitors on a night-time tour of the battlefield (more info on Facebook event page). Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children age 12 and under (must be accompanied by an adult). No advance reservations required. 9 pm-3 am.
June 15: Wilderness Day—a day of hands-on learning about chores and skills of daily life. Designed for adults and children. Registration and payment required by June 1 (see website for forms). $15 per person. 10 am-3 pm.
June 19: History Speaks Series—this month's topic is "The Jacobites: History and Culture," presented by the Thompson Highlanders. $10 in advance, $12 at the door (members receive 10% discount). More information is on the website. 7 pm.
June 22: Bushy Run Market—local vendors and artisans will be onsite on the 4th Saturday of each month through September. Admission for the market is free for visitors (more info on website for prospective vendors). 8 am-noon.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
June 1: Summer Hours Begin—during the summer, the site is open Wednesdays 10 am-4 pm, Saturdays 10 am-4 pm, and Sundays noon-4 pm. Guided tours will be available most days.
June 2: Colonial Craft Day and Forest Diplomacy—craft demonstrators will share the historical context, materials, and equipment of a variety of mid- to late-18th-century trades. Some demonstrators will also have items for sale. 11 am-4 pm. At 2 pm, there will be a presentation of an Edge of the Woods ceremony, an important part of 18th-century diplomacy among Native American nations and between Native Americans and Europeans.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
June 11: Annual Dinner and Lecture—Dinner and program will be held at The Timbers in Mt. Gretna. Patrick Donmoyer will present "Powwowing in Pennsylvania," exploring traditional ritual healing practices. Tickets are $35 per person (more info, including how to make reservations (deadline is June 1), on website). 6:30 pm.
June 15: Revolutionary War Demo—the 1st Regiment Flying Camp of Lancaster County will provide a living history program at the site (more info on Facebook event page or in this article from Leb Town). 9 am-4 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
June 15: Evening on the Green—this program includes food vendors, A'Dello Vineyard and Winery, Frecon's Cidery,and live music by Hogan's Heroes (a local band that plays classic rock and blues). Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for a relaxing evening (more info on Facebook event page). Admission is $7 per person for age 13 and up; free for age 12 and under. 5-9 pm.
June 29: Celebrating Our Country's Heritage—enjoy tours of the Boone Homestead, see blacksmithing and other demos, and support the Keystone Military Food Bank. Requested admission donation is 2 non-perishable food items per person over age 5. Regular admission fees apply to visit without donating food items. 10 am-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
June 1: National Trails Day—the Titusville Area Trails Association will offer trail-themed, family-friendly activities and guided hikes based at the Jersey Bridge Trailhead at Drake Well Museum and Park (more info on Facebook). 10 am-3 pm.
June 8: Wildcatter Festival—help kick off the summer season at Historic Pithole City, the remains of a 19th-century oil boomtown (Pithole's visitor center is open weekends June-August). Planned activities include food, guided tours, living history demonstrations, and live music (please check website for directions). Admission will be charged. 10 am-4 pm.
June 29: Something More Saturday—this month's focus is the Mobile Energy Education Training Unit (MEET-U). There will also be blacksmithing demonstrations. Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
June 22-23: Patch Town Days—this year's program will focus on Italian immigrants to the anthracite region and the influence of Italian culture. There will be live music, dance performances, living history demonstrations, bocce ball, and village tours (see website for additional details). Admission charged. 10 am-5 pm both days.

Ephrata Cloister
June 29: Artisans in the Park Summer Fest—spend the day touring the site, visiting with the artisans and vendors, and enjoying delicious food - all in support of Ephrata Cloister and its programs (more info on the Facebook event page). Event is rain or shine and admission is free. 9 am-4 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Through June 30: Blue Star Museum exhibit—several items from the collection are on display in recognition of the museum's participation in the Blue Star Museums program. The items are related to the World War I service of William L. Morrison and William H. Stine. The collection includes the earliest use of the Blue Star Flag, incorporated into personal items and a commercially-made flag to represent a man serving in the front lines. Included in regular admission during regular operating hours.
June 1: Mariner’s Ball—enjoy live entertainment, silent and live auctions, food and drink, and fireworks. Visit the website for details on purchasing tickets (must be at least 21 years old to attend).
ADDED June 18: 207th Anniversary of the War of 1812—the museum will be commemorating the anniversary of the U.S. declaration of war on Great Britain and kicking off this summer's "Experience History Rolling Cart" program (available Tuesday-Saturday through August 31). See if you have what it takes to serve in Commodore Perry's Lake Erie fleet. Take a recruiting "exam", pack your seabag, learn the ropes and see if you can lift a 12 pound cannon ball with the help of mechanical advantage. Ask about the new maritime art scavenger hunt while you're there. Included in regular admission. Noon-2 pm.
June 24th: Voting Rights Centennial—in honor of the centennial of the PA legislature’s ratification of the 19th Amendment, the museum has partnered with the Erie County League of Women Voters to offer a voter registration event in the Museum lobby 11 am-5 pm. The League of Women Voters will provide voter registration forms and information, as well as light refreshments. The Museum will display historic images and headlines from the July 8, 1913, Suffrage Parade that took place during Erie’s Perry Centennial celebrations. Erie’s Equal Franchise Association held Pennsylvania’s first suffrage march as part of the Women and Children’s Day during the Perry Centennial Week. Citizens not yet registered to vote are invited to mark this important anniversary by registering.
Through Fall 2019: New exhibit—“Ballast Technology: Saving Ships, Lives, and the Environment” features a history of materials used to ballast ships, as well as disasters resulting from improperly ballasted vessels. The traveling panels, sponsored by The Great Lakes Protection Fund, also focus on the need to remove invasive species from ballast water in modern ships. Erie Maritime Museum has augmented the panels with exhibit cases featuring Niagara’s ballast, 200 years ago and today, as well as examples of ballast water-borne invasive species, courtesy of PA Sea Grant. Along with environmental issues, invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels also pose a real threat to our underwater maritime heritage when they build colonies on shipwrecks. The exhibit displays dramatic images of the War of 1812 wrecks Hamilton and Scourge in Lake Ontario, showing damage done by these mussels over the past 30 years.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt website for information on programs and events.

Graeme Park
June 2: Antiques Appraisal with Locati, LLC—an appraiser from Locati, LLC (based in Maple Glen) will give a brief talk on the antiques market and then provide an assessment of items brought by attendees (details on website). Tickets are available on Eventbrite. 3-5 pm.
June 16: Living History Sunday—learn about tavern games in the colonial era from costumed living history interpreters. The living history demos are free; fee for tours of the Keith House will be $5 for ages 12 and up, $3 for ages 3-11 (free for dads). Food and drink will be available for purchase, or you can bring a picnic lunch. Noon-3 pm.

Hope Lodge
UPDATE: Hope Lodge will not be open for Sunday tours June 23, 30, or July 7. They expect to reopen on July 14. Follow them on Facebook for updates.
June 1: Ales and Petals/Cars and Motorcycles of England—two events in one! Set up your lawn chairs and picnic blankets in the gardens to enjoy food; live music; tastings of craft beers, wines and ciders (age 21 and older with valid ID); and classic British automobiles. This event will also feature tours of the mansion. 10 am-4 pm.
June 5: Ambler Symphony Concert—bring a chair or blanket, a picnic dinner or snack, and enjoy beautiful music on the lawn. Concert and parking are free, donations are accepted. 7-8 pm (rain date is June 12).

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
June 6: History Program—this day-long program will explore the life of African American inventor, machinist, and spiritual leader William Chester Ruth and place it in the context of Lancaster and Chester County history. Attendees will also view examples of Ruth's work in the Landis Valley collection. This is a free program (thanks to a grant from the H.F. Lenfest Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation), but registration is required (program flyer has details). A light lunch will be provided. (Read more in this article from Lancaster Online.) 10 am-2:30 pm.

Old Economy Village
June 2: Wedding Showcase—a wide variety of wedding vendors (including bakeries) will be on hand for this event. It's also a chance to see how the event spaces at OEV can be set up. Admission is free. Check out the Facebook event page for list of vendors and contact info for registration. 1-4 pm.
June 8: Broom-making Class—make a broom using traditional methods and antique equipment. Class is free, but space is limited (registration info). 10 am-4 pm.
June 8: Presentation—Steve Mihaly will present "Marketing the Presidency" and display pieces from his collection of campaign memorabilia, focusing on western PA (more info on website). 5:30-6:30 pm.
June 15: Introduction to Woodworking—learn about basic techniques and tools used in the 19th century. Class is free, but space is limited (registration info). 10 am-1 pm.
UPDATE 6/20 THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED June 20: Culture and Foods of the Eastern European Immigrants—this event kicks off a new food series that will explore different cultures through food. Chris Furis is today's presenter. The event is free, but you must pre-register by calling the site at 724/266-4500. 7-8 pm.
June 24-28: Art Camp—students will use the exhibits, buildings, and gardens as inspiration as they learn various art media and techniques. Camp is open to students age 6 (if they've completed kindergarten) to 12 (registration info). 9 am-12:30 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Sundays in June: Special Programming—June 2, Historic Trades Day—the blacksmith and the joyner will demonstrate the skills needed to make equipment for the estate; June 9, Living History Theater—“The Funeral of Phineas Pemberton”; June 16, Open Hearth Cooking—the cooks will prepare 17th-century beverages; June 23, Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights—visit the gardens and the brew house to see what's on offer; June 30, Meet the Animals that live and work at Pennsbury. Sunday programs included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
June 1: Monthly Book Club—this month's book is Paul Revere & the World He Lived In by Esther Forbes (published in 1942 and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for History in 1943). Pennsbury's book club meets the first Saturday of every month (website has more info on how to sign up). 10-11 am.
June 8: Conversations in History—the topic this month is "The Dark Night," exploring how changes in lighting changed our lives (more info on the website). 10-11 am.
June 15: Colonial Catwalk—try on reproduction 17th-century clothing and take it for a walk around the grounds. This is a members only event, but it's very easy to join (info on the website). 10 am-4 pm.
June 20: Paint & Sip—you'll be guided through the creation of an architectural painting inspired by the beauty of Pennsbury Manor. BYOB. Reservations required (more info on website). 6-8 pm.
June 29: Brews & Bites at Pennsbury Manor—sample beers from Philadelphia-area craft brewers and enjoy food, musical entertainment, and demonstrations of historic beer brewing. The event page has info on ticket options and link for online purchase. NOTE: VIP and Designated Driver tickets are sold out. Must be at least 21 to attend. 3-7 pm.
June 30: Play the Past!—learn how to play popular 17th-century games at this family-friendly event. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
June 8: Youth and Family Field Day—this event is sponsored by the Black Forest Sportsman's Club and is geared for students between the ages of 10 and 16, accompanied by an adult. Qualified instructors will teach a variety of outdoor skills (more info on the museum website). Lunch and equipment will be provided. The event is free, but YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER by JUNE 6 (form and instructions).
June 15: Third Weekend Program—Linda Ordiway, a wildlife biologist with the Ruffed Grouse Society, will discuss Pennsylvania's state bird (designated in 1931) and other topics related to forest and wildlife conservation in Pennsylvania. Included in regular admission. 1 pm.
June 30: Application deadline for Cork Camp scholarships—a limited number of scholarships are available for Cork Camp attendees age 18 and under. More info and instructions are available on the website. (Cork Camp takes place August 3-4; scholarship winners will be notified by July 11.)

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Saturdays and Sundays in June—on weekends, the 1 pm guided tour is included in regular admission (normally an additional charge).
June 1: Exploring the Armor—a special guided tour of the tracked vehicles displayed on the museum grounds, including a chance to look inside the crew compartments. Cost is $15 ($5 for Friends of the PA Military Museum). Participation is limited, and the tour does sell out, so act fast by using the online registration form. 2 pm.
June 2: Friends’ Lecture Series—speaker is Rep. Sam Hayes Jr., presenting "General Westmoreland Saved My Life". Donations encouraged. 2-3 pm.
ADDITIONAL INFO ADDED June 14: Flag Day Programs—from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, the Bellefonte Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will present a program honoring Anna Keichline, architect, inventor, suffragist, and special agent in military intelligence during World War I (details on museum website and PHMC historical marker database). Featured speaker is Nancy Perkins FIDSA, DAR member and Keichline's great niece. From 6 to 7 pm, State College Elks Lodge and local veterans organizations will hold their annual Flag Day service and U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony on the Shrine parade grounds. Attendees are invited to bring U.S. flags that are no longer serviceable; the flags will be disposed of properly.
June 16: The True Story of Winnie the Pooh—this presentation and movie explore the story of a Canadian Regimental veterinarian in World War I, a bear that ended up in the London Zoo, and how they inspired author A.A. Milne. Donations encouraged. 1:30-2:30 pm.

Pennsylvania State Archives
June 11 and 26: Archives Without Tears—this popular workshop presented by State Archives staff will be offered twice this summer - at Bradford County Historical Society on June 11 and at The Hershey Story Museum on June 26. Details about the workshop agenda and instructions for registering with the host organizations are available via the PA Museums website.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
June 15: Brass Quintet—Calliope Brass will be performing “Iron Horse” at the museum at 11 am and again at noon. This tribute to steam engines is a new composition for brass quintet by Kevin McKee. The New York-based Calliope Brass is an innovative ensemble on a mission to bring stories to life through music, and plays repertoire ranging from jazz to classical, pops to swing, and everything in between. Included in regular admission.
June 30-July 7: Reading Railroad Days—special activities for the entire family will focus on the Reading Railroad, one of the most important historical transportation systems in eastern Pennsylvania. The event features a huge, operating model train layout by the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society. Included in regular admission during regular hours.

Somerset Historical Center
June 2: Photo contest—entries from non-members of the Laurel Highlands Photography Club will be accepted today between noon and 3 pm (rules page 1 and rules page 2 on LHPC's Facebook page). Entries will be on exhibit at SHC June 12-30 during regular hours.
June 7: First Friday Food Fest—come down and enjoy a casual dinner, selected from a variety of local food trucks and vendors (details on Facebook event page). There will be live music and tractor-drawn hay rides. This is a new event that will take place the first Friday of July and August as well. Admission is free; $2 per vehicle for parking. 5-8 pm.
June 8: Family Fun 5K Run/Walk—SHC has a groomed trail that runs through woods and meadows, circling back around to the main site; once around is 5K (but you can take more than one lap). There's no admission charge, and maps are available. This event will also be offered the first Saturday of July and August. 8 am-noon.
June 27: Lecture—presented in conjunction with the Heinz History Center, "The Fate of Four of Pennsylvania's Founding Fathers" explores the financial struggles faced by four signers of the Declaration of Independence (details on the website). Historian Perry K. Blatz will take a deep dive into the economic volatility of the early United States. Admission is free. 6-8 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please check the website for schedule and descriptions of planetarium shows.
June 4: Documentary Preview—see a preview of a new documentary series, "College Behind Bars," by Peabody Award winner Lynn Novick. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, emceed by WITF's Scott LaMar, on the role of education in Pennsylvania's prisons (details and panelists on the website). The program is free, but reservations are required (link to contact WITF to RSVP). June 7: StoryTime—this month's book is What a Treasure by Jane and Will Hillenbrand. Listen to the story and play a game to dig for treasure. This program is designed for ages 3 to 5 with an adult. Included in regular admission. 10:30 am.
June 20: Curiosity Kids—explore Bubbles of all types. The program is designed for kids ages 3-6 to bridge the activities in Curiosity Connection with galleries in the museum. Included in general admission, but space is limited, so be sure to sign up at the front desk when you arrive. 11:30 am-noon.
June 21, 28: Summer Fridays and Learn at Lunchtime—starting June 21 and continuing through Aug. 23, Fridays are "Pay as you will." From 10 am to 3 pm, entrance to Curiosity Connection will be by timed tickets (numbers are limited). Art docents will be available in the Art of the State exhibit 11 am-1 pm (exhibit opens June 23). Regular fees apply for the Planetarium. Learn at Lunchtime programs offered 12:15-12:45 pm: 6/21, Wild Bird Adaptations; 6/28, Artist Conversations. Museum is open 9 am-5 pm.
June 23: Exhibit opening and reception—“Art of the State,” the annual juried exhibition of Pennsylvania artists, opens today and continues through Sept. 8. Museum admission is free on June 23. Museum open noon-5 pm, exhibit awards ceremony begins at 1:30.
June 26, 27: Nature Lab—visit Nature Lab to learn about Leaf Identification (6/26) and Dinosaurs in Pennsylvania (6/27) from museum curators. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park events page for info on events and programs.