November 2019 on the Trails of History

Don't forget to turn your clocks (the ones that still have to be changed by hand) back one hour no later than 2 am on Nov. 3, as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end for this year.

There are several state holidays in November--Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving. All Trails of History sites will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. Sites open on Veterans Day (Nov. 11) and the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) are noted below. The info is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You may want to check with the site you plan to visit to be sure of their schedule (seasonal schedule changes may be in effect as well).

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Nov. 30: Patriot’s Day—living history demonstrations, musket drills, blacksmith, house tours, and 18th-century medical "experts"--lots of activities for all ages. 10 am-4 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Nov. 14: Historic Sewing Workshop Series—class will focus on basics of hand sewing from a historical perspective. A one-hour formal presentation will be followed by an “open studio” session where participants can work on their own projects at their own pace (more info on the Facebook event page). Last class in the series will be Dec. 12. Contact Bushy Run for registration details and other info. 6-8 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Nov. 3: Fall Lecture—Michael Showalter, museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, will present "We have submitted without reluctance: Ephrata Cloister and the Revolutionary War," exploring the winter of 1777-78 and Ephrata’s role as a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers. 2 pm.
Nov. 23: Candlelight Tours—this annual program features living history, 18th-century music, and a chance to see the site by night. 5:30-8 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Nov. 12: Friends Lecture Series—this is the last lecture for 2019. Chris Witmer, secretary of the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania, will present "Pennsylvania Dutch Barns" (more info on the website). Lectures are held in the auditorium of Freeman Hall Community Center at Cornwall Manor, across the road from the furnace site (map and directions). Lecture is free, donations are accepted. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Nov. 2: Boone Birthday Program—celebrate Daniel Boone's birthday and learn about his family. First-person interpreters will be on hand from 1 to 3 pm, with cake and ice cream at 2 pm. Included in regular admission.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Nov. 30: Something More Saturday—today’s event is “Radio Santa,” inviting kids to speak with the big guy at the North Pole via radio. There will also be holiday craft projects and other family-friendly activities (details on Facebook). Included in regular admission. Site open 9 am-5 pm; special programming, Noon-4 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Nov. 8: Tickets for Christmas at the Cloister—as of today, the general public can purchase tickets ($7 per person) for this limited-seating event (scheduled for Dec. 9 and 10). Details are on the website.
Nov. 11: Veterans Day—site will be open noon-5 pm.
Nov. 30: Candlelight Open House—spend a lovely evening exploring the Ephrata Cloister, with music, craftspeople, and more (info on website). Cost is $6 per person (ages 3 and older). 5-8:30 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara
Nov. 14: Lecture—author Jim Kennard will present “Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario,” based on his 30-year career investigating shipwrecks (he’ll highlight the story of the sloop Washington, an Erie-built commercial vessel that sank in a storm in 1803). The program is free, but reservations are requested (see Facebook event page for details on how to sign up). 5:30-6:30 pm.

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

Graeme Park
Nov. 30: Christmas in the Colonies—candlelight tours of the Keith House, where the Tapestry Dancers and costumed interpreters will illustrate Christmas and other winter holidays as the Graemes might have known them. Refreshments will be served. Tours will start approximately every 20 minutes from 4 to 6:20 pm. Craft vendors will be on hand for Small Business Saturday, from 3-6 pm (details on the website). Cost is $5 per person for tours.

Hope Lodge
Nov. 2: Whitemarsh Encampment Reenactment—this long-standing event commemorates the Nov. 2-Dec. 11, 1777, encampment of Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army in the Whitemarsh Hills. Check the Facebook event page for details. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Joseph Priestley House
Nov. 3: Heritage Day—costumed docents will be stationed in the house as you tour, Dr. Priestley will demonstrate chemical principles, and there will be games for children. Admission is free; pick up tickets for the chemistry demos at the visitor center when you arrive or reserve ahead by calling 570/473-9474. 1-4 pm (chemistry demos at 1:30 and 2:30).

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Throughout the month: Fall Workshops—check the website for course descriptions and registration info.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Museum Store Shop Local Open House and Museum Store Sunday—shop for locally handmade art, crafts and heirloom-quality gifts and enjoy holiday decorations in the museum store. Museum Store events are free; regular rates apply for museum admission. 9 am-5 pm both days (site opens at noon on Sunday).

Old Economy Village
Saturdays in November: Saturday Spotlight Programs—something different every week. Nov. 2 – 19th-Century Foodways: Bread Baking and Cooking; Nov. 9 – The Fabric of Their Lives: Textiles; Nov. 16 - The Art of Blacksmithing; Nov. 23 - Meet the Gardeners; Nov. 30 - 19th-Century Trades and Crafts. Included in regular admission, so please begin at the Visitor Center. 10 am-5 pm..

Pennsbury Manor
Nov. 2: Monthly Book Club—this month’s book is America’s First Daughter, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, which explores the life of Martha Patsy Jefferson Randolph (more info on the website). 10 – 11 am.
Nov. 10: Cooking Demonstration—join the cooks as they revel in the extravagant use of sugar and spices, using 17th-century confectionary recipes. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Nov. 1: Stream Stewardship Workshop—held in conjunction with the Potter County Conservation District. Learn about current and upcoming projects (more info on Facebook event page. 10 am-1:30 pm.
Nov. 16: Walk and Talk—get a sneak preview of the new orientation video for the Webber Cabin and accompany Jim Hyland (from Tioga State Forest) on a short walk from the visitor center to the cabin for a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s newest exhibit building (more info on the Facebook event page). Included in regular admission. 1 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Nov. 3: Lecture program—Sgt. 1st Class (US Army, ret.) Gerry Mansell will present "The Tomb of the Unknown and the Sentinels Who Stand Guard." 2-3 pm.
Nov. 9: Pictures with Santa—kids of all ages get to pose with Santa. Regular admission rates apply for youth; parents and guardians are free. 10 am-3 pm.
Nov. 11: Veterans Day—the museum is open noon-5 pm. Admission is free for veterans and their families.
Nov. 17: Lecture—museum educator and former Navy Petty Officer Joe Horvath will present "This was NO Love Boat," based on his experiences aboard the SARATOGA during its 1984 Mediterranean cruise as part of the 6th Fleet (details on the website). 2-3 pm.
Nov. 23: Kids Day - Dress Up and Discover!!—try on field gear and head gear from the museum education collection. Visit the education stations in the galleries for more discoveries throughout the day. Parents must remain on-site while their kids participate in the activities. Included in regular admission. 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Nov. 2-3: Trains & Troops—this annual program salutes our armed forces and explores the role of the military in railroad history (and vice versa). A Swing Dance Saturday night (separate or combo ticket) lets you enjoy big band music, refreshments, and swing, swing, swing. Program details. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.
Nov. 29: Day After Thanksgiving—site open 9 am-5 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the Planetarium page for a full schedule of shows.
Nov. 1: StoryTime—this month's program (for kids ages 3-5) takes place in the Archaeology Gallery, featuring Nancy Van Laan’s Rainbow Crow, a retelling of a traditional Lenape legend. Included in regular admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
Nov. 7: Build It!—this "Curiosity Kids" program will explore building with everyday objects (details on the museum website). Included in regular admission, but space is limited so be sure to sign up when you purchase your tickets. 11:30 am.
Nov. 8: Learn at Lunchtime—join Bob Hill, curator of military and industrial history, to learn about the World War II experiences of Major Robert Gaynor, whose uniform is currently on exhibit. Included in regular admission. 12:15-12:45 pm..
Nov. 9: Workshops in Archaeology—this year’s program is an examination of western Pennsylvania’s Monongahela Indians. Early bird registration ends Nov. 1. Registration details and parking information are on the museum website. 9 am-6 pm.
Nov. 21: Nature Lab—learn about Wild Canines. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.
Nov. 21-22: Holiday Marketplace and Exhibit Opening—shop the Trails of History with representatives from numerous PHMC sites (details). Takes place in the museum’s Village Square. Hours are Thursday, 10 am to 3 pm, and Friday, 10 am to 7 pm. On Nov. 22, catch the opening of a new exhibit, Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911-1919 from 3 to 7 pm (refreshments starting at 5).

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