September 2019 on the Trails of History

Many PA Trails of History sites will be open on Monday, Sept. 2, for Labor Day (noted below). This page will be updated as needed.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Sept. 2: Site opencheck website for hours.
Sept. 6-8: Anthracite Heritage Conference—this year's conference marks the 150th anniversary of the Avondale Mine Disaster (full schedule on website). Cost for all conference sessions is $15, with optional fees for lunch and dinner on Saturday, 9/7. Lackawanna Historical Society is handling registration (see form and contact info on website). UPDATE: see article in the Wilkes-Barre The Citizens' Voice.
Sept. 12: Episodes in Anthracite Labor History—speakers will cover a range of topics from the earliest days of anthracite mining in Pennsylvania through World War II (see website for list). Program is free. 7-8:30 pm.
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket.

Brandywine Battlefield
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 11: Remembrance Day—the annual ceremony commemorating the Battle of Brandywine, Sept. 11, 1777, and the events of Sept. 11, 2001, will be held. Event is free. 6-7 pm.
Sept. 24: Revolutionary Dining Series—this month's dinner and lecture are planned in conjunction with a new exhibit at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia (Sept. 28, 2019-March 17, 2020). "Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier" focuses on Richard St. George, veteran of the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. Held at The Gables at Chadds Ford, the cost is $50 per person (includes salad, entree, dessert, and lecture). Check Brandywine's website for reservation info. 6-9 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Sept. 7: Paws in the Park—this new event celebrates one of the site's biggest audiences - dogs and their walkers. Activities will include an obstacle course, DIY pet item stations, paw print art, a scavenger hunt, a caricature artist, photo booth, and more! There will also be a concession stand featuring a themed hot dog bar menu, a basket auction, and a small, special exhibit on display in the museum. Please visit the website for more information and link for pre-registration. Admission is free. 11 am-3 pm.
Sept. 18: History Speaks Series—Aaron Hollis will present “Distilling Whiskey” (see Facebook event page for more info). Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door (members get a 10% discount). Contact Bushy Run Battlefield at 724-527-5584 for advance tickets. 7 pm.
UPDATE Sept. 21: Fall Nature Walk—learn about the flora and fauna of the woods around the battlefield with herbalist Lindsey Praksti (more info on Facebook event page). Wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Cost is $5 per person, free for members. 10 am-noon.
NEW Sept. 26: Historic Sewing Workshop Series—this four-part series is open to people at all skill levels. Each workshop will have a one-hour of formal instruction on 18th- and 19th-century techniques, followed by an hour of open studio time to work on your own projects or practice in a group setting. Additional dates are Oct. 10, Nov. 14, and Dec. 12. See the Facebook event page for details on how to register. 6-8 pm.
Sept. 28: Bushy Run Market—this is the last market day for the season. There will be a variety of vendors, and the concession stand will be open. 8 am-noon.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Sept. 1: Ringgold Band Concert—bring your lawn chairs and find your spot for a rousing end-of-summer performance (learn more about the Ringgold Band). 5 pm.
Sept. 8: Living History Sunday—historical reenactors help bring the site and its history to life; today's theme is women's domestic activities. Guided tours offered. Noon-4 pm.
Sept. 28: Artisans in the Park—enjoy a wide variety of craft demonstrations and displays. Food vendors will be on hand and the historic buildings will be open (self-guided only). 9 am-4 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 21: Cast Iron Cooking Demo—cast iron cooking demonstrations will be presented by several members of the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace. 11 am-3 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Sept. 28: Heritage Day—all kinds of activities will take place throughout the site. Cooking, baking, dancing, magic, and much more (details on the calendar of events.) Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 21: Fall Gas Up—the museum hosts the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society's display of antique gas engines, oil field and farm equipment, and more. Included in regular admission. 9 am-4 pm.
Sept. 28: Something More Saturday—this month's program is "Hands-on Oil Labs" (check the Facebook event page for more info). Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners' Village
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket.

Ephrata Cloister
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 5: Student Historians Informational Meeting—students aged 14 and up and their parents are invited to learn more about Ephrata Cloister's Student Historian program. This after-school club (meets Thursdays 3:30-5 pm) invites young people to gain community service experience while engaging in a variety of activities at the historic site. Register for the informational meeting by calling 717/733-6600. 6:30-7:30 pm.
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions and enjoy a special program on music written at Ephrata. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket. Site is open 9 am-5 pm; special Museum Day music presentations at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 10: Commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie—see the Facebook event page for updates on this annual event. 5:30-6:30 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please check the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on programs and events this month.

Graeme Park
Sept. 11: Life in William Penn's Woods—take a guided walk of the grounds to learn about the plants and trees there now and in the Graemes' time. Leashed dogs are welcome. Cost is $2 per person. 6-7 pm.
Sept. 15: Living History Sunday—today's event explores children's activities in the 18th century. Living history demos are free; donation requested for the corn husk doll activity. A discounted admission fee will be charged for tours of the Keith House. Noon-3 pm.
Sept. 26: Homeschool Day—activities include tours of the Keith House, open-hearth cooking, colonial games, and typical chores (program flyer). Cost is $6 per person; students must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 10 am-2 pm.

Hope Lodge
Sundays in September (closed Sept. 1): Site open—enjoy the grounds and take a guided tour of the mansion. Admission charged. 1-4 pm (tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm).

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Sept. 1: Plein Air Sunday: A Celebration of Traditional Craft—visit the Yellow Barn and the Millstone Grove to see and buy the work of artists and craftspeople; featured will be artwork created en plein air (in the outdoors) at Landis Valley (see Facebook event for details and updates). Tour the museum grounds and enjoy lively music and children's art activities. Refreshments will be available for purchase. This event is in partnership with the PA Guild of Craftsmen. Noon-5 pm.
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Fall Workshops—visit the workshop page on LVM's website for details on workshops in Sept., Oct., and Nov.
Sept. 14: Wool Frolic and Yarn Sale—celebrate the fiber arts and the people, plants, and animals that make them possible. Enjoy activities for the kids and shop for deals on yarn, patterns, and paraphernalia. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket.
Sept. 28: "Escape" Landis Valley—it's 1777 and the British have invaded Philadelphia. Can you solve the puzzles to help the Continental Congress get through Lancaster on their way to York? You must register ahead of time if you want to find out. Program times are 10 and 11:30 am, 1 and 2:30 pm. Tickets are $35 for adults ($30 for LVA members) and $25 for children age 10 and under (light refreshments included). Contact Jamie at 717-581-0590.

Old Economy Village
Sept. 8: Second Sundays - Picnic in the Garden—bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the beautiful gardens. There will be some tents, tables, and chairs available. Included in regular admission (Buy One-Get One if you bring a picnic basket, free for FOEV members and Ambridge Resident Pass holders), so please start at the Visitor Center (more info on Facebook event page). Noon-5 pm.
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—Old Economy is participating in Smithsonian magazine's annual Museum Day. Visit the Old Economy website for a link to download a ticket good for free admission for two people. 10 am-5 pm.
ADDED Sept. 26: Lecture and Booksigning—Dr. Eileen Aiken English will present "If These Walls Could Talk," exploring stories of The Harmony Society (see Facebook event page for details, including how to register). Dr. English will also sign books (available in the Museum Store for purchase). 7 pm.
Sept. 28: Introduction to Blacksmithing—this is a basic intro taught by John Frankowski and Ben Delaney, who regularly demonstrate blacksmithing at Old Economy. The class is free, but there are only 8 spaces. You must pre-register by Sept. 18; contact David Miller at 724/266-4500 x110 or davmiller@pa.gov. 10 am-1 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Sundays in September: Special programming—Sept. 1, Historic Trades Day features joyners, blacksmiths, and spinners; Sept. 8, Living History Theater presents "Orphan's Court"; Sept. 15, Open Hearth Cooking features the bake oven today; Sept. 22, Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights will find the brewers working on a traditional fall beer; Sept. 29, Meet the Animals that make Pennsbury their home. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 7: Monthly Book Club—this month's selection is Mary Beth Norton's Separated by their Sex: Women in Public and Private in the Colonial Atlantic World (see website for more info).
Sept. 27: Escape Room—there are two different storylines (one beginner level, the other advanced), each offered 3 times during the evening. Not recommended for children younger than 13. Space is limited and reservations are required. Visit the event page for details and links for ticket purchase (please read carefully to be sure which you wish to purchase). 6-10 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 15: 3rd Weekend Program—Dave Castano, president of the Potter County Historical Society, will present "Norwich, PA: a lumber town's history from 1910 to 1920" (more info on Facebook event page). The program, which will last about 20 minutes, is included in regular admission. 5 pm.
Sept. 21: Hometown Science Festival—folks from the Lumber Museum will be on hand at this event in Wellsboro to demonstrate some simple machines from the "for use" collection (details on the Facebook event page).
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Sept. 2: Labor Day—open regular hours, 10 am-5 pm. Guided tours at 11 am and 1 pm.
Sept. 8: Lecture—historian Jared Frederick, Penn State Altoona, will present "Liberation and Loss: America and the Holocaust" (more info on the website). 2-3 pm.
UPDATE - Event is cancelled for this year Sept. 21-22: Then & Now Living History Bivouac—explore a range of military uniforms and equipment from the 18th century to the present during this military timeline program. Battle dress uniform show and weapons demos at 1 pm each day. 10 am-4 pm.
Sept. 29: Exploring the Armor—this special 2-hour guided tour begins in the museum theater, then takes you inside some of the military equipment on the grounds. Space is limited, and reservations are required (reserve online). Cost is $15 ($5 for museum members). 2-4 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Sept. 2: Labor Day—site open, check website for hours.
Sept. 7-8: Railroad Heritage Days—explore the rich history of railroading through presentations, model train layouts, art and photography, and more. Included in regular admission. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.
Sept. 21: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—people who present a Museum Live! ticket will receive two free admissions. Visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket, then present it at the Railroad Museum for admission. 9 am-5 pm.
Sept. 28: Members Day—a full slate of activities and speakers is planned for Friends of the Railroad Museum (and it's not too late to join). Full info on the website.

Somerset Historical Center
Through Sept. 15: "We Can Do It" WWII exhibit—this traveling exhibit from the Heinz History Center will be on view through Sept. 15, with additional Somerset County details through a partnership with the Turkeyfoot Historical Society. Included in regular admission.
Sept. 6-8: Mountain Craft Days—since 1970, this event has brought together artisans and craftspeople of all types, and now includes children’s activities, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, and great food (visit SHC's website for details). Admission charged. 10 am-5 pm.
Sept. 20: Writers Workshop—SHC will host "Historical and Contemporary Research for Fiction: Shape Your Characters, Turn Your Plot & Bring Your Setting to Life," part of the 2019 Festival of Books in the Alleghenies. Registration is required and is being handled by Festival of Books (info and registration links). 2-3:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please check the Planetarium page for updates on this month's programs.
Sept. 4-Oct. 4 (weekdays only): 2019 Fort Hunter Archaeology Excavation—come learn about field archaeology and what the museum's archaeology crew have found at Fort Hunter. (On Sept. 20, the museum's 3rd in the Burg program will take place at Fort Hunter from 4 to 6 pm.) Archaeologists will be available 9:30 am-4 pm weekdays, weather permitting.
Sept. 6: StoryTime—this month's program takes place in Ecology Hall with a reading of Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer. Designed for ages 3-5 with an adult. Included in regular admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
Sept. 6: Learn at Lunchtimemuseum docents will be on hand in the 2019 Art of the State exhibit, which closes on Sept. 8. Included in regular admission. 11 am-1 pm.
Sept. 8: Last day for Art of the State—the annual juried art exhibit closes today. The museum is participating in Harrisburg's Gallery Walk, so admission is free. Hours of operation are 11 am to 6 pm today only (please note that Curiosity Connection will be open from noon to 4 pm as usual and that planetarium fees still apply). From 2 to 3 pm join curator Amy Hammond and featured artist Sanh Tran (1st prize in photography and recipient of this year's Purchase Award) for a casual tour of Art of the State.
Sept. 12: Curiosity Kids—today's event is "Tinkering Minds," inviting kids 3-6 (with an adult) to explore their creativity (more info). Included in general admission, but there is a limit of 20 kids, so be sure to sign up at the Ground Floor desk when you arrive. 11:30 am.
Sept. 26: Nature Lab—learn more about two familiar PA birds, the ruffed grouse and the wild turkey. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit Washington Crossing's Calendar of Events page for info on park and historical programming.