Showing posts with label #DayofFacts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #DayofFacts. Show all posts

How did it get to be March already?

The March program page is up and running, along with the list of Trails of History sites open on Sunday, March 12, for Charter Day.

On February 17, PHMC participated in #DayofFacts, which was an effort to highlight the work of museums, libraries, and other cultural organizations that are trusted sources of information about a myriad of issues. Sean Adkins, PHMC's social media manager, compiled tweets from the Trails of History on Storify. Please take a look to see some of the info we shared.

Episode 217 of the Chemical Heritage Foundation's "Distillations" podcast looks at the cultural history and science of "fizzy water," noting the contributions of Joseph Priestley to the science of artificial carbonation (take a listen - it's a little over 13 minutes and the Priestley story comes near the end, but the whole thing was interesting to me). You can also learn about Priestley's life and work at the Joseph Priestley House in Northumberland, part of the PA Trails of History. Lab demos and house tours will be on tap at Priestley House on Charter Day.



The PHMC's annual Summer Apprenticeship Program is currently accepting applications for a variety of training programs at various locations. PHMC and several partner organizations are offering paid 12-week apprenticeships for this summer to introduce students to the preservation and traditional building trades. The program is open to people with building trades experience and students/recent graduates of post-secondary trade schools, technical colleges, and other training programs. Hiring is handled separately by each sponsoring company or institution - find the info you need on the PHMC website and review the opportunities. The hiring period ends April 30.


Today, March 3
  • Pennsylvania Military Museum, Military PT on Grounds. Meet at the flagpoles at 1600 (4 pm) for some physical training and a 1-2 mile run on the grounds (learn a little about the military equipment and memorials). This is the inaugural offering of this program; it will continue on Mondays and Fridays through the month (and, we hope, beyond). No registration necessary; just show up.
  • State Museum of Pennsylvania, Storytime. Read Fire Engine No. 9, by Mike Austin, and explore the Transportation and Industry Gallery (more details). Included in general admission. 10-11 am.
Saturday, March 4
Sunday, March 5
  • Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Heroes of Conservation Film Showing and Panel Discussion. The museum will show two documentaries, Mira Lloyd Dock: A Beautiful Crusade and Gifford Pinchot's Conservation Legacy starting at 1 pm (each runs about 30 minutes); a panel discussion will follow (more info on Facebook).

Day of Facts

Check out the February program page if you're looking for things to do (I've included events for this weekend below, but you may want to plan ahead for next weekend.) Most Trails of History sites will be closed on Monday, Feb. 20, for Presidents Day, but Fort Pitt Museum and the Railroad Museum of PA will be open.

Today (2/17) is "Day of Facts," an international social media event in which "museums, libraries, archives, cultural institutions, science centers and other trusted public sources of knowledge will share mission-related content using the hashtag #DayofFacts." (You can read more about it on the #DayofFacts blog.) Several sites on the Trails of History will be participating among hundreds worldwide to focus attention on primary sources, data, and research that underpins the work we do. Check out @PHMC on Twitter or Drake Well Museum, Ephrata Cloister, or the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum to see what's up.

PHMC's annual report for fiscal year 2015-16, Small Budget, Big Impact, is now available online. You may also want to watch the Pennsylvania Trails of History Facebook or Twitter page for posts about the scope of services PHMC provides to Pennsylvania, using the hashtag #PHMCbigimpact. Please help spread the word.

As part of their recurring "Hidden History" feature, WBRE and WYOU in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area broadcast a report earlier this week by reporter Crystal Cramore, who visited the Anthracite Heritage Museum. Cramore spoke with Chester Kulesa (recently retired as site administrator) about coal sculptures by artist C. Edgar Patience that are part of the museum's collections and exhibits. Cramore also spoke with Patience's niece, Christine Patterson, who is researching a book on African American coal miners in northeastern PA. This story will be part of an hour-long "Hidden History" special airing at 7 pm on Feb. 25 on WYOU and at 11 am on Feb. 26 on WBRE.

The Tall Ships Erie 2016 festival recently was awarded Tall Ships America's Economic Impact Award in recognition of a highly successful event last fall. The Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara hosted this event (and a successful event in 2013), with leadership from the Flagship Niagara League. According to an article on GoErie.com, VisitErie estimated that the event "generated more than $8 million for Erie's economy." Mayor Joseph Sinnott also presented The Flagship Niagara League with an official proclamation from the City of Erie that noted the tremendous economic contribution of the Tall Ships Festival. Erie will next host the festival, which rotates among Great Lakes, Atlantic, and Pacific venues, in 2019.

In sports news...


Weekend events

Today, Feb. 17
Sunday, Feb. 19
  • Anthracite Heritage Museum, Lackawanna Audubon Society: program is "Uganda, South Africa, and the Great American Solar Eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017." Program is free; admission charged to visit museum exhibits. 2:30 pm.
  • Daniel Boone Homestead, Fireside Stories: geared for children ages 4-8 and their families. Featured story is Cinderella. Dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket if it’s really chilly. Cookies, hot cocoa, coffee, and tea will be served. Program is free; donations are welcome. 2 pm.
  • Washington Crossing Historic Park, George Washington's Birthday Celebration: children are encouraged to bring homemade cards for GW, who will be marking his 285th birthday. At 1 pm, the General will be on hand to receive birthday wishes and cut the birthday cake, which he will share with well-wishers. Admission is $1. 10 am-2 pm.