Agriculture and Art!

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also a quick reminder that PHMC sites participate in the Blue Star Museums and Museums for All programs.

Staff and volunteers at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum harvesting flax (photo Heirloom Seed Project)

My thanks for this week's opening photo go to Joanne Ranck-Dirks of the Heirloom Seed Project at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum. Joanne sent along a series of photos, along with an explanation of the effort:

The flax harvest is underway at Landis Valley. This historic crop is planted in early April and harvested in mid-July. After drying in our hoop house, the flax is retted in a tub of water and dried again. We use the flax in our textile barn to show how it is processed into linen fiber. We also sell the flax straw to other historic sites and individual spinners and weavers.

Landis Valley's Farm and Garden Manager, Joe Schott, stacks flax bundles to begin drying 

I've saved some additional photos and info on a separate Landis Valley Flax Harvest page. Thanks, Joanne, and all the folks at Landis Valley for this update on your work.

Last weekend, Old Economy Village received a visit from the family of artist Richard Hay Kenah (1907-1982), who painted a mural of George Rapp and other members of the Harmony Society that now hangs in the Visitor Center. The mural, painted in 1934 on a canvas backing, was originally adhered to a wall at Ambridge High School and then painted over. It was later rediscovered by the Ambridge School District and donated to Old Economy. Following an extensive conservation effort that involved removing plaster and constructing a frame, the mural was installed in Old Economy's new Visitor Center when it opened in 2002. The site posted a photo of the artist's son Chris with the mural.

Upcoming Events (in-person and virtual)

Today, July 30

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), curator Katie McGowan will talk about a 1946 silk wedding dress made from a surplus WWII parachute, State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm (SMP web link for info and registration)

Sunday, August 1

• Garden Party and Oxygen Day (in-person), spend some time in the gardens (11 am-12:30 pm) and learn about Dr. Priestley's discovery of oxygen (1-4 pm), Joseph Priestley House (JPH Facebook page for details)
• Living History Sunday, guided tours will be offered, Conrad Weiser Homestead, noon-4 pm (CWH website)

Wednesday, August 4

• Explore! (in-person), kids in grades 3-5 are invited to learn about Pennsylvania Turtles, State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in general admission - sign up at Ground Floor Information Desk (Explore! info)

Thursday, August 5

• Curiosity Kids (in-person), help kids K-Grade 2 discover what natural resources are, State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in general admission - sign up at Ground Floor Information Desk (Curiosity Kids info)

The End of Summer?

Please see last week's post for events and programs coming up between now and the end of the month. I've highlighted some of this weekend's events below.

See program listings below for more info

As I was paring the list of events to include below, I was struck that several of them included the end of special hours or tours that were in place for the summer. I guess I haven't been paying attention, but in lots of ways, the end of August signals the transition to fall. Even when you don't have kids in school, there is a distinct change felt around this time of year (and not just because the school buses return to interfere with my morning commute, dadgummit). But anyway, here are some items that I think may be of interest.

During the course of the spring and summer, the majority of sites on the PHMC's PA Trails of History signed up to be part of the "Museums for All" program, an initiative of the Association of Children's Museums and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Participating museums nationwide offer discounted general admission to people who present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card along with ID. PHMC (see list of participating sites) set "Museums for All" admission at $2 per person. In the period from April through June, 126 people received discounted admission at 11 sites.

An article in the Scranton Times-Tribune included mention of Sarah Sporko, who is entering her senior year at Misericordia University. As a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program participant, Sarah spent the summer at the Anthracite Heritage Museum working with staff to prepare for an upcoming photography exhibit. She was supervised by Jennifer Black, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at Misericordia, and Bode Morin, Ph.D., site administrator at Anthracite Heritage. The photography exhibit is set to open in November (we'll keep you posted).

I mentioned in a previous post (I think) that 2018 is the 300th anniversary of Pennsylvania founder William Penn's death. To commemorate the event, Pennsbury Manor has been focusing on Penn's legacy with various programs, including an upcoming panel discussion and luncheon with Pennsylvania's current governor and several past governors. But Penn and Pennsbury have inspired others, as well. A recent Facebook post alerted me to The William Penn Story, a new musical production by Philadelphia's Brotherly Love Theatre Company (BLTC). BLTC describes the production as "an amalgamation of jazz, funk, hip-hop, rock, and 17th-century Quaker ideology...inspired by productions like 1776, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Hamilton: An American Musical...." The musical will be staged at Lemon Hill Mansion in Fairmount Park on Sept. 9, 13, 16, and 19 as part of the 2018 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

The Brew House at Pennsbury Manor (via Facebook)

This weekend...

Bushy Run Battlefield
Aug. 25: Bushy Run Market—it's the 4th Saturday of the month, so that means a variety of vendors will be on site for your shopping enjoyment (more info on the website). Free for visitors and vendors. 8 am-noon.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Aug. 25: Lecture/demonstration—Revolutionary War interpreter Paul Trainor will present "18th-Century Medical Practices," which includes a display of period medical instruments. Included in regular admission. 2-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Aug. 25: Drake Day Circus—experience a traveling circus as it might have been during the height of the Pennsylvania oil boom (more info on Facebook event page). Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Aug. 26: Historic Pithole Open—the visitor center will be open for the final time this season, so enjoy the orientation film and the excellent diorama that shows the town in its heyday. PLEASE NOTE that Pithole will be closed on Aug. 25 so that staff/volunteers can be at the Drake Day Circus. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Aug. 25: Back to School at Eckley—explore the village, visit the buildings, and take part in hands-on activities and a scavenger hunt as you go. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Hope Lodge
Aug. 26: Site open—enjoy the grounds and take a guided tour of the mansion. Admission charged. 12:30-4 pm (tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm).

Pennsbury Manor
Aug. 26: Special programming—this week, Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Aug. 25-26: Saturday and Sunday, the 1 pm guided tour is included in museum admission.

Somerset Historical Center
Aug. 25: History on a Hayride—hear local tales and explore the historical center grounds from your seat in a hay wagon. Two rides each day. Cost is $10 per person, $8 for members. 10 am-2 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Aug. 24: Summer Friday (last of the season)—general admission is "pay as you wish" today, 9 am to 5 pm. Curiosity Connection will have free timed tickets available. Art docents will be on hand in the "Art of the State" exhibit from 11 am to 1 pm. Regular fees apply for planetarium shows. From 12:15 to 12:45 pm, curator Janet Johnson will present a program on the archaeological excavations at Fort Hunter.

Museums for All

Please visit the April program page for info on upcoming events. I've highlighted some below, but there's always more to learn.

Earlier this month, some of the sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History joined a national program called "Museums for All." Coordinated by the Association of Children's Museums, with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Museums for All participating museums provide free or discounted admission to people who present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and photo ID. Up to four people can be admitted per card. At participating Trails of History sites, the discounted price is $2 per person and is good for regular admission, not special events or programs. Card holders don't use their EBT card to pay the admission; they present it to show their eligibility for the Museums for All discount.

You'll find a list of PHMC's participating museums on our website. We decided for our initial participation to stick with sites that are connected to our Point-of-Sale admissions system. That will allow us to track Museums for All admissions more easily and to take care of quarterly reporting from our central office in Harrisburg (which also happens to be Trailheads HQ). Please share the information with folks you know who may want to make use of this new discount.

In PHMC's press release announcing our participation, Executive Director Andrea Lowery noted, “At PHMC, we believe a visit to a museum or historic site can inspire the development of new skills and interests, ignite creativity, and enrich social connections. By removing the financial barrier, Museums for All represents a long stride toward the goal of reaching more children and parents and inviting them to take advantage of the valuable learning resources of museums.”

Many people make use of discounts or reduced/free admission when they visit Trails of History sites, such as membership in the site Friends group or the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation or membership in AAA. Reduced admission fees are always in place for seniors and youth, while young children are admitted free of charge (age varies, but it's 3 and under at most sites). PHMC sites participate in the Blue Star Museums program, which provides free admission for active duty military members and their families between Memorial Day and Labor Day; we offer that year-round.

Admission is free to all on Charter Day, the second Sunday of March each year. Individual sites also have free days from time to time, often in cooperation with local organizations or special events. Sites and museums in Erie, Lancaster, and Potter Counties participate in museum pass programs to make free admission available through their local and regional library systems.

Courtesy PA Military Museum

This weekend

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
April 14: National Water Dance Ripple Effect—the event begins at Dobbins Landing, then dancers and friends from Mercyhurst University will lead the audience on a performance path to the Erie Maritime Museum, which will host research presentations, poetry, music, dance, children's crafts, and refreshments (more info). Admission is free. Begins at 4 pm at Dobbins Landing.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
April 14: Needle Felting—as of yesterday (4/12) there were still a few spots left, so call NOW if you're interested. Or see if there's room left in classes coming up the rest of the month (see the full list with registration info on Landis Valley's website).

Old Economy Village
April 14: Saturday Craft Programs—check the website for this week's program and others coming up.a variety of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on learning will be presented. Costs and details vary, so check the website for more information.

Pennsbury Manor
April 15: Historic Trades and Open Hearth Cooking—check the website for details. Included in regular admission. Programming runs 1-4 pm, site open noon-5 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
April 15: 3rd Sunday Series—two programs this month: "Trout Grow on Trees," with staff from the Potter County Conservation District discussing the impact of forest health on trout streams, and "International Dark Skies Week," with PA DCNR staff talking about Cherry Springs State Park and its remarkable dark skies educational programs (more info on both). Included in museum admission (free for members). Trout program starts at 1 pm, dark skies at around 3.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
April 14-15: The Great War Remembered—2018 marks the 100th anniversary of American combat troops fighting in France and the end of World War I. Today's program includes lectures, films, and a living history reenactment on the grounds (check the website for details and updates). 10 am-4 pm each day.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
April 13: Learn at Lunchtime—view the T.M. Fowler bird's eye view maps exhibit through the lens of historic preservation. Included in general admission. 12:15-12:45 pm.
April 14 and 15: Planetarium closed—see website for other schedule info.