Volunteers of the Year 2023

This past Saturday, April 15, we held our first in-person PHMC Volunteer of the Year awards ceremony since 2019 (see group photo above). We honored volunteers for service in 2022. Although the weather was quite rainy in Harrisburg, the assembled group at The State Museum of Pennsylvania was cheerful, vibrant, and good-humored. It was truly a pleasure to bring people together to say thank you for the hours of time and the tremendous amounts of talent that our volunteers contribute, working alongside our dedicated staff to care for collections, present programs, lead tours and school groups, help maintain and beautify our grounds, and much more.

The Outstanding Service Award was presented in memoriam to Nancy Hetrick (1944-2022) on behalf of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum and the PA Lumber Museum Associates (PALMA). Nancy was a long-time volunteer at the Lumber Museum who helped create many new programs over the past 10 years or so, actively supported the annual Bark Peelers' Festival, and served as Board Secretary and editor for the PALMA newsletter (read the Outstanding Service Award citation). Nancy's husband and fellow volunteer, Roger, accepted the award in her memory.

This year's Volunteer of the Year honorees were (click on the names to see an individual photo and read about the honoree's service):

• Anthracite Heritage Museum - Chester Kulesa
• Brandywine Battlefield Park - Mario Lerario
• Bushy Run Battlefield - Jim Comunale
• Conrad Weiser Homestead - Lynn Otto
• Cornwall Iron Furnace - Dan Snyder
• Daniel Boone Homestead
• Drake Well Museum & Park - Faith Mealy and Amber Hannold
• Eckley Miners' Village - Matthew Gaydos
• Ephrata Cloister - Douglas Gehr
• Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara - Gayle Chojnacki
• Graeme Park - Kevin Horan
• Hope Lodge - Phil Williams
• Joseph Priestley House - Mike McWilliams
• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum - Linda Schock
• Old Economy Village - Joyce Patterson
• Pennsbury Manor - Douglas Lehnen
• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum - Janifer and John Halter
• Pennsylvania Military Museum - Simon Cressman
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania - Stephen Jacobs
• Somerset Historical Center - Ron Hillegas
• The State Museum of Pennsylvania - Alice Herncane

Up Next

Today, April 21

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Emily Boyd, small game mammal biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will talk about the three Pennsylvania rabbit and hare species and the ongoing research to improve management and promote the continued presence of all lagomorph species for future generations of Pennsylvanians. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (April 21 Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Saturday, April 22

• Common Threads Fiber Symposium (in-person); 9 am-4 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Cosponsored by Somerset Historical Center and Laurel Arts, this event offers an opportunity for regional fiber artists to share their skills and knowledge with each other as well as the public. Fiber artists will be set up throughout the museum, demonstrating specific techniques, providing hands-on activities to participants, and selling or talking about their hand-made products. Admission is $5 (Fiber Symposium info).

• Earth Day (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• From seeing our Living History interpreters to interacting with the Delaware Nature and Science Museum animals and employees, visitors will get to experience a fun-filled Earth Day (Brandywine Earth Day program info).

• Spring Antique Show and Sawmill Run (in-person); Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• There will be antiques and collectibles vendors and historic trades demonstrations, including the museum's birch still (plus cooking demos 11 am-1 pm). On Saturday only, the steam-powered circular sawmill will be operating (plus Earth Day craft activities 2-4 pm). Admission is $8. There will be food and drink for purchase (Spring Antique Show info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Listen to a reading of Spring After Spring by Stephanie Roth and explore the story of Rachel Carson, create a spring drawing, and look for signs of spring in the galleries. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (StoryTime info).

• Celebrate Earth Day: Plant a Tree (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about the trees in Pennsylvania and how they make our lives better. Then take a seedling home to plant. Supplies are limited, so register at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive to receive a seedling. Included in regular admission (State Museum Earth Day info).

Sunday, April 23

• Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Explore and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the recipes and plants that fed the early residents of Pennsbury. Included in regular admission (Pennsbury Sunday afternoon program info).

Wednesday, April 26

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Graeme Park
• Author C.J. McGroarty will discuss her novel, Clara in a Time of War, which is set on a Chester County farm in 1777. The program also includes continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and tours of the Keith House. Tickets are $35 (Lunch & Learn program info and tickets - sales end April 21).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Chat with the Planetarium director to learn about what you can see in tonight's sky, the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events coming up in the next month. Regular admission and planetarium ticket required (Stargazing program info).

• New Exhibit Reception (in-person); 6:30-7:30 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• Join us as we unveil our newest exhibit, Snipe to…Black Ice – featuring a 1900-built ice boat that sailed Presque Isle Bay for over one hundred years. Enjoy light refreshments and a chance to talk with the men who were the last to sail this ice boat (and who donated it to the museum). Event is free (Exhibit reception info).

Thursday, April 27

• Wheels Go Round (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel through the Second Floor of the museum to discover how many objects have wheels. Create your own vehicle using different parts and pieces. Included in regular admission (Wheels Go Round program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Behind the Scenes with the Heirloom Seed Project (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 29, 9 am and 1 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Heirloom Seed Project staff and volunteers will offer a glimpse into preparations for the annual Herb & Garden Faire and lead a tour of gardens on the site. Two tour times: 9 am or 1 pm. The tour is two hours of walking around the museum grounds, rain or shine; please dress for the weather with comfortable footwear. Tickets are $40, $35 for members (Heirloom Seed Project tour tickets).

• Art in the Garden (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 29, 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Take a tour of Pennsbury's gardens and grounds, then settle into your favorite spot and paint. All skill levels welcome; materials provided. Cost is $35, $30 for members. Registration required (Pennsbury Manor contact info).

• Salon Social (Tea) (in-person: Saturday, Apr. 29, 1-3 pm; Anthracite Heritage Museum
• Join us for afternoon tea featuring Victorian and Edwardian fashions, tea sandwiches, desserts, coffee and tea. Make reservations by calling 570/963-4804 or emailing ahmuseum@verizon.net. Tickets are $25 and the deadline to reserve is April 23 (call 570/963-4804 or email ahmuseum@verizon.net).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, May 2, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (May 2 Sensory Hours tickets).

• Herb & Garden Faire (in-person); Friday and Saturday, May 12-13, 9 am-5 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• The Faire, featuring plants from Landis Valley Museum’s Heirloom Seed Project, will also offer heirlooms, natives, and other hard-to-find varieties to purchase from vendors spread out over the historic village area of the site. The 2023 Herb & Garden Faire is the 35th year of this high-profile regional event. Food and drink will be available onsite. Tickets are available at the door or in advance online (Herb & Garden Faire online tickets).

• Mother's Day Breakfast and Cake Walk (in-person); Sunday, March 14, 10 am-Noon; Graeme Park
• Treat Mom to a Mother’s Day breakfast in the large event tent at Graeme Park! After your meal, enjoy a tour of the Keith House or participate in our cake walk (separate $10 ticket to be sold on site) to win a cake to take home with you. Tickets must be purchased in advance (tickets for Mother's Day breakfast).

Summer Camp Programs (camps are in-person unless marked otherwise)

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• Live the Battle Week (grades 3-4), June 27-30, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 3-4), July 11-14, 9 am-2 pm
• Live the Battle Week (grades 5-6), July 18-21, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 5-6), July 25-28, 9 am-2 pm

• Bushy Run Battlefield (Bushy Run camp info)
• Colonial Life (grades 1-5), June 19-21, 10 am-3 pm

• Drake Well Museum & Park (Drake Well camp info)
• Discovery Days Camp (ages 8-12), July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9 am-4 pm

• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (LVVFM camp info)
• A Child's Life in the Civil War (ages 5-11), July 18-21, 9 am-12:30 pm

• Pennsbury Manor (Pennsbury camp info)
• Colonial Camp Week (ages 6-8), July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm

• Railroad Museum of PA (RMP camp info)
• Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 9-10), July 11-14
• SOLD OUT Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 11-12), July 25-28

Counting Down the Days

Please check the PHMC Events Calendar if you're looking for virtual programs. I've highlighted events below, but there's more to see in the weeks ahead. The Trailheads Rec Room to the right of your screen has all kinds of online offerings. Enjoy!

Henry and George Landis want your visit to Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum to be safe and enjoyable (photo via LVM Facebook page)

Trails of History sites are getting ready to welcome visitors starting next Friday, April 30. Site schedules will vary, and for the moment most will be open a few days a week. As I always say, please check ahead to make sure that the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there.

We're all anxious to put Covid-19 behind us, so we're making sure we follow CDC and PA Department of Health protocols. Staff, volunteers and visitors will be required to mask up and maintain social distancing. PHMC's "Welcome Back!" page has more info on our safety measures.

Virtual programs will continue, as we've learned that many people like to attend lectures and other offerings that they might never attend in person. Sites will be finding a balance as staff and volunteers - and visitors - adjust to reopening after more than a year. We'll keep you posted.

Looking Back at the Week

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania celebrated National Volunteer Week with a short video featuring volunteers past and present.



Over the past year, Old Economy Village has undergone extensive physical changes, including the installation of a wheelchair lift in the Feast Hall building. Like all sites, they've been preparing the buildings and exhibits to look their best for returning visitors.

From the Museum Educator: Both staff and volunteers have been busy cleaning the historic buildings and getting exhibits...

Posted by Old Economy Village on Saturday, April 17, 2021

Reopening and emergency preparedness plans at Cornwall Iron Furnace included a visit from local emergency services personnel to reaquaint them with the site.

Thank you to Cornwall, Quentin, and Mount Gretna fire companies for touring the Cornwall Iron Furnace as part of our emergency preparation.

Posted by Cornwall Iron Furnace on Monday, April 19, 2021

Pennsbury Manor posted about a popular spring flower, taught us its name in Latin, English, and Lenape, and linked to the "Lenape Talking Dictionary" so we could learn how to pronounce it.

This delicate white flower belongs to a plant called bloodroot in English, and pèkòn in Lenape. The English term '...

Posted by Pennsbury Manor on Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Yesterday, Daniel Boone Homestead wished everyone a happy Earth Day. I hope you had a chance to celebrate the planet that is home to us all.

The Daniel Boone Homestead has 579 acres of land for you to enjoy daily! Celebrate Earth Day with a walk in our park! #danielBoone #EarthDay2021 #parks

Posted by Daniel Boone Homestead on Thursday, April 22, 2021

Upcoming Virtual Events

Today, April 23

• Learn at Lunchtime, Beth Hager, director of The State Museum of PA, will talk with collections managers Mary Jane Miller and Lauren Stark as well as Aaron McWilliams of the Pennsylvania State Archives, 12:15-12:45 pm EDT (SMP Facebook event to register)

Saturday, April 24

• Oops! this event has been rescheduled to August 21 Combined Arms: Tactics in the War of 1812, staff from Erie Maritime Museum and the PA Military Museum will discuss land and sea operations, 2-3 pm EDT (Facebook event to register)

National Volunteer Week 2020, #MuseumSunshine, and Earth Day

PHMC's offices and Trails of History sites are currently closed to the public through May 8. Governor Wolf has announced a phased reopening plan; as we learn more about how the Trails of History sites fit that plan, we will keep you posted. The best way to stay up-to-date on site activities and plans is via social media. The April program page has a list of Facebook links for each site; you can find their other social media platforms that way. For up-to-date information on Pennsylvania's response to COVID-19, please visit the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health website.

It has been a busy week on social media for Pennsylvania Trails of History sites. I'm trying my best to keep up with all the activity, but it's impossible. I'm providing a few examples below, but to really get the full picture you'll be best served by following Pennsylvania Trails of History and/or your favorite sites on Facebook (try 'em all - their Facebook links are on the April program page).

National Volunteer Week 2020

Part of the graphic design of PHMC's Volunteer of the Year awards ceremony booklet (design by Lauren Bennett)

In last week's post, we gave you info on this year's PHMC Outstanding Service Award recipients and the Volunteer of the Year honorees for the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, The State Museum of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania State Archives. We had planned to celebrate with our honorees in person, but well, you know. We still hope to reschedule that event. As is true for much of what we're doing on the Trails of History right now, we managed lots of online "thank you" posts. As National Volunteer Week draws to a close, here are a few examples (you can find many more on the Facebook pages of our Trails of History sites - links are on the April program page).



PHMC's executive director, Andrea Lowery, (above) provided a heartfelt #ThankYouFromHome to all of our honorees, which PHMC's digital director posted to the Pennsylvania Trails of History Facebook page. Video "thank yous" were also recorded by Brenda Reigle, director of the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums (her video); Beth Hager, director of The State Museum of Pennsylvania (her video); and David Carmicheal, director of the Pennsylvania State Archives (his video).

Other sites posting "thank you" videos included Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara (for Outstanding Service Award winners Jack (in memoriam) and Maxine Gold, and the museum's co-honorees for Volunteer of the Year), Drake Well Museum and Park, and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.

#MuseumSunshine

On Tuesday, April 21, museum social media accounts were bright and shiny, sharing artwork, objects, and images evoking sunlight. As you can see above, Bushy Run Battlefield took part with an array of images from the site. Daniel Boone Homestead posted a sunny shot of budding spring greenery, and Ephrata Cloister highlighted images of the sun in two fraktur letters in the Christian ABC book in their collection.

Earth Day

Wednesday, April 22, was the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day. Although the need for distancing certainly torpedoed lots of plans for events to mark the day, social media proved to be up to the challenge of keeping it on people's minds. Pennsbury Manor (above) shared a beautiful photo of a blossoming apple tree in their garden (noting that their tree is a descendant of Sir Isaac Newton's apple tree - you think you know a site). The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum's Facebook cover photo proclaimed that "Every Day is Earth Day," and the Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum posted photos and info noting that the museum was built as part of a mine reclamation project - the before and after photos are striking.

Celebrating Earth Day on the Trails of History

If you're looking for ways to enjoy this April weather, be sure to check out the April program page.

Today's post comes from frequent guest blogger Linda Bolla, writing about the Erie Maritime Museum's participation in the local expression of a project called "National Water Dance." The event took place last weekend. I also want to note that Eckley Miners' Village worked with folks from their local Keystone Job Corps Center to plant a tree in honor of Earth Day (I believe this is the second year (or more) that they've done this).

Water Dancers from coast to coast created a “movement choir,” performing simultaneously to draw attention to pressing water issues in the United States. Using the power of art and performance, the goal is to help create a national water ethic that can inform and inspire both performers and audience to take responsibility for conserving and protecting the water we use and enjoy.

The Erie Committee (led by Mercyhurst University Associate Professor of Dance Solveig Santilliano) subtitled the local event “The Ripple Effect” to emphasize our hope that the event would create a ripple throughout Erie, educating the community on water issues and suggesting steps the community can take to improve local water quality.

All participants performed in or near a significant body of water in their own community, so it was no surprise the dance in Erie began at Dobbins Landing, the oldest historic and most accessible pier on Erie Harbor.

Water Dancers at Erie's Dobbins Landing pier (photo by Mark Santilliano)

Performers and audience, led by saxophonist Kevin Timko, then processed along the waterfront to the Erie Maritime Museum, pausing for bits of theater along their way. When the audience arrived, they were greeted by dancers performing vignettes in six separate spaces in the Museum. Unique to the Erie event was the diversity of artistic offerings. In addition to dance, the Museum hosted a visual and sculptural art exhibit (on the 1st Floor through May 8th), the Delaware Gap Jazz Combo, and demonstrating artist, Keiko Miller, who created Japanese screens illustrating the water cycle and incorporating her students’ calligraphy and origami.

Dancers in the Museum's main gallery (photo by Mark Santilliano)

An enthusiastic audience member joins in the dancing (photo by Dana Borczon)

After the audience flowed through the Museum and lobby, where Mercyhurst University student ambassadors led a rainstick activity for children, the event culminated in a main stage celebration, showcasing Mercyhurst University dancers, musicians and vocalists, as well as dancers from many other Erie dance studios. The program was woven around narrative by Dr. Amy Parente of the university’s Chemistry Department, with poetic interludes provided by the middle-school winners of the NW Pennsylvania Poetry Contest.

"Down to the River to Pray," performed by Mercyhurst Dancers (photo by Mark Santilliano)

So, are you inspired yet? Happy Earth Day – and make every day, earth day.

Plastic Waters at Erie Maritime Museum

Events on the Trails of History between now and the end of April can be found in the usual spot.

Earth Day was Wednesday, so this post from Linda Bolla at the Erie Maritime Museum is timely. The traveling exhibit "Plastic Waters, from the Great Lakes to the Ocean" will remain on view through May 25 July 6. A series of related programs is planned at the Museum and other sites in Erie.

The Erie Maritime Museum's new exhibit, "Plastic Waters, from the Great Lakes to the Ocean," opened April 1st. As we celebrated Earth Day this week, it gave those of us who live on the shores of Lake Erie another opportunity to reflect on both the connectedness of all of the earth's waters, as well as our roles as front line stewards of the Great Lakes, 20% of the world's fresh water.

The core exhibit is the result of a partnership between the 5 Gyres Institute, studying the impact of plastic marine debris in our oceans, and the Alliance for the Great Lakes, who have augmented and sponsored this traveling exhibit since September 2014. What sets Erie Maritime Museum apart as a host site is the number of local partners who have created complementary displays, and, although totally unplanned, how these local partners echo the themes of the traveling exhibit.

Penn State University Behrend Campus students are currently conducting microplastic studies of Lake Erie waters at the mouth of Four Mile Creek. The students' work will add to our knowledge of this new threat to fresh water.

Microbeads and fragments found and photographed by PSU Behrend students

Exhibit panel explaining studies conducted onboard Niagara by Dr. Sherri "Sam" Mason, 2012

A boat hull found during a Presque Isle beach cleanup in March eerily mirrors the exhibit boat hull pulled from the Pacific Ocean by 5 Gyres after the 2011 Japanese tsunami.

98% of the post tsunami marine debris observed was plastic. This statistic is reflected in the findings of PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) at Presque Isle, who developed their own very graphic display for the exhibit from items collected during their annual Adopt-A-Beach programs.

Much of the exhibit focuses on single-use (throwaway) plastic that turns up in Lake Erie. PA Sea Grant and International Coastal Cleanup developed educational displays focusing on alternatives to single-use plastics. Even when these plastics are properly discarded in recycling bins, the majority still end up in landfills, due to a lack of capacity in municipal waste recycling programs. The exhibit also features artwork made by local students using beach clean-up finds and single-use plastics. Accompanying student writings reflect on the need to redesign our throwaway society--profound thoughts for Earth Day, and every day.

Art mask made from coffee lid stoppers

Belle Valley Elementary School 4th graders studied the endangered Lake Erie sturgeon and made this artistic representation reusing foamcore and plastic bottle tops.

A Mercyhurst Prep student made this collagraphic print [I had to look that up - AKF] from plastic garbage collected on an Erie-area beach last fall

Mercyhurst Prep students used acrylic paint and single-use plastic items to create multi-media artworks (above and below)