Things to Do, Read, and Watch

Living historians portray U.S. Army soldiers during Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's Civil War event in 2019 (photo via Landis Valley's Facebook page)

Summer continues on its way to fall, with lots of activities on the Trails of History. Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's Civil War Weekend has a little something to interest the whole family and gives you a sense of what a small village was like during that era. If outdoor theater is more your thing, Conrad Weiser Homestead is hosting three performances of The Tempest by Reading Community Players. You can also learn about butterflies and moths at The State Museum of Pennsylvania. That's just the weekend, please see below for the week ahead and for summer camp listings (many are still taking enrollments).

Cornwall Iron Furnace, which just marked the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Cornwall Ore Mines, has released a new book, Always More Production, by museum volunteer, frequent speaker, and retired geologist Mike Weber. Mike drew heavily on research collections at the museum, including monthly reports sent from the mines in Cornwall to the main office of Bethlehem Steel. The book presents a detailed history of iron mining activities in Cornwall from 1737 to 1973. You can check Cornwall's Facebook post for details on how to get your copy.

The Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead have produced a new history video focused on Conrad Weiser and his home. Copies on DVD are available in the Museum Store. This video project was in addition to Conrad Weiser Homestead's participation in the PA History to Go series. Those videos are available to stream on PHMC's PA History to Go website.

Up Next

Today, July 14

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Touch furs, hold antlers, view skulls and ask questions during a tour of Mammal Hall. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall tour info).

• Chill and Build (in-person); 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Unwind with the family on a Friday afternoon. Choose the colors and shapes to make your own creation or follow the pattern on the design cards to make a tree, rocket and more using building blocks. Included in regular admission (Chill and Build program info).

• The Tempest (in-person); Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 6-9 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Reading Community Players will present William Shakespeare's The Tempest on the grounds of the Homestead for three nights, starting tonight at 6 pm. The event is rain or shine (under a tent, with chairs provided). Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and may be purchased ahead or at the door (The Tempest at CWH info).

Saturday, July 15

• Butterflies and Moths (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about butterflies and moths in Pennsylvania and make a butterfly craft to take home. Included in regular admission (Butterflies and Moths program info).

• Civil War Weekend (in-person); Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, and Sunday, Noon-4 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• A wide array of military and civilian activities will be offered, including drills and firing demos, vintage baseball, and displays about Civil War-era medicine on and off the battlefield. Regular admission charged; please start at the Visitor Center to purchase tickets (Civil War Weekend info).

• Acting Workshop (in-person); 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 3-4 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month. Admission and planetarium tickets must be purchased at least 5 minutes before showtime.

Sunday, July 16

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Stoneware crocks, bladders, vinegar, gally pots, and sugar will abound as the cooks start preserving the harvest for the winter to come. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking program info).

Wednesday, July 19

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Get hands-on with the rocks and minerals of Pennsylvania. Learn about Pennsylvania’s landforms and resources. Meet on the 3rd Floor Balcony for this presentation. Included in regular admission (July 19 Geology Hall tour info).

Thursday, July 20

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in the garden and then explore the grounds of Pennsbury Manor. Cost is a $3 grounds pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• State Symbol: Brook Trout (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• In 1970, the brook trout was chosen as the official state fish of Pennsylvania. Learn more about its selection, biology and create brook trout fish art, Gyotaku, the traditional Japanese method of printing fish. Included in regular admission (Brook Trout program info).

Friday, July 21

• It's ALIVE! (or maybe not): Living and Non-Living Things (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Younger visitors are invited to explore living and non-living things and the properties that something needs to exhibit to be alive. Included in regular admission (Living & Non-Living Things program info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Get hands-on with the rocks and minerals of Pennsylvania. Learn about Pennsylvania’s landforms and resources. Meet on the 3rd Floor Balcony for this presentation. Included in regular admission (July 21 Geology Hall tour info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, July 25, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is about preserving produce. Geared for ages 12 and up. Registration required - $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (July Garden Workshop info).

• Returning the Wild to the Wilderness (virtual); Friday, July 28, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Thomas Keller, Furbearer Biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will share the history of wildlife loss within the Commonwealth, the legacy of rewilding, and the possibility of returning the American marten to the forests of the state. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Returning the Wild program info and registration).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for Aug. 8 Sensory Hours and tickets for Aug. 22 Sensory Hours).

• The Colemans and Martic Forge (hybrid); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Jim Polczynski will present a program centered on the ownership of Martic Forge by three generations of the Coleman family (who also owned Cornwall Iron Furnace). You can attend the program in person at Freeman Hall, Cornwall Manor Retirement Community, or virtually via Zoom (Martic Forge lecture info and registration).

• The "Dead" of Summer (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 19, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• Experience a reenactment of an early 20th-century seance focused on the period when many had lost loved ones to the 1918 flu pandemic or World War I and were susceptible to this form of entertainment. Tickets are limited and will be available online (Dead of Summer info and tickets).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 26, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a private history tour of the outside tracked vehicles and discuss the history of armored vehicles with a preeminent local historian. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

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

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• 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

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

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• 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

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

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

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm

What a Weekend!

Demonstrations of Daniel Boone Homestead's water-powered vertical sawmill are just part of the activities at this Sunday's Heritage Day Fall Festival (photo via DBH Facebook)

Things are as busy as ever on the Trails of History in the week ahead. Numerous Halloween-themed and Harvest events; Living History events from the French & Indian War era and the Civil War; art programs; and the latest installment of our PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase series. Check the list below for details and be sure to keep going to see events that need advance reservations or tickets. Don't miss out!

Up Next

Friday, October 21

• 3rd in the Burg (in-person); 5:30-7:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Admission is free this evening, so come enjoy this year's Art of the State exhibit. Artist and PHMC Commissioner Ophelia Chambliss will lead a tour of the exhibit starting at 6 pm (3rd in the Burg info).

• Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person); 7-10 pm; Graeme Park
• Tour the Keith House by lantern light and learn the ghost stories. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are available online at $10, with option for a mini-paranormal investigation for an additional $15. Tickets for tonight mostly sold out as of mid-week; event also takes place Oct. 28 (Graeme Park Lantern Tours info and tickets).

Saturday, October 22

• Trains & Treats and Artists in Residence (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Enjoy some Halloween fun among the trains on Saturday. Artists Gil Bennett and Ken Muramoto will be at the museum Saturday and Sunday to display their work and create new pieces (Trains and Treats info).

• Civil War Living History: Detachment, US Engineers; Sat., 10 am-4 pm, Sun., Noon-4 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• This living history encampment focuses on the role of US Army engineers during the Civil War. The event takes place outdoors and will be open free to the public 10 am-4 pm on Saturday, Noon-4 pm on Sunday. Regular admission fee applies to tour the furnace (Civil War Living History info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read Bones, Bones, Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton, learn how scientists get fossils to a museum, then make an imprint fossil to take home. For ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info).

• Historical Halloween (in-person); 5-8 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Trick-or-treat along lantern-lit paths, visit historic structures and talk to costumed interpreters, take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the woods. Treats will be given out along the way and at the end you can warm up under the pavilion with hot chocolate, maple kettle corn, and fresh-pressed cider. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets are $3 per child; adult chaperones are FREE (Historical Halloween info, including accessibility and food allergen info).

• Spooky Lantern Tours (in-person); 6:30-8:30 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Walk the grounds, listen to not-too-scary ghost stories, and do some trick-or-treating along the way. The museum's program room will have craft activities and refreshments. Tickets are $3 for adults, $1 for youth; members get in free (Spooky Lantern Tours info).

Sunday, October 23

• Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Bring your needlecraft projects and enjoy some company while you work. The event is free and open to the public (Sewing Circle info).

• Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Open hearth cooking will be going on as well as a display about a soldier from Gen. Peter Muhlenberg's troops, the German Regiment. At 2 pm, David Sonnen will lead a walk through the park. The event is free and open to the public (Living History Sunday info).

• Heritage Day Fall Festival (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Demos include blacksmithing, gunbuilding, leatherworking, hearth cooking and more. The water-powered sawmill will be operated at 1 and 3, and there will be a craft and specialty food vendors, as well as children's activities. Admission charged; free for members (Heritage Day info).

• Tricks & Treats (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Lots of family-friendly activities including cider pressing, fall crafts, and trick-or-treating around the site, and more. There will be a recreation of the 1683 witch trial of Margaret Mattson. Children are encouraged (but not required) to come dressed in their favorite costumes. This is a free event; regular admission applies to tour the Manor House. Advance registration is recommended (Tricks & Treats info and registration).

• Cemetery Tour (in-person); 2-3 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Learn about some of the Ephrata members resting in God's Acre Cemetery through stories designed to captivate but not frighten. To attend a cemetery tour, you'll need a general admission ticket (good throughout the afternoon) PLUS a timed cemetery tour ticket, both of which can be obtained online (Oct. 23 Cemetery Tour info and tickets). This event will also be offered on October 30 (Oct. 30 Cemetery Tour info and tickets).

Wednesday, October 26

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall Restoration (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the exhibit on the history of Mammal Hall and behind-the-scenes info on the 3-year restoration project that was completed in 2018. Included in regular admission (Family Gallery Tour info).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (virtual); 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is "Photographs." Panelists from various Trails of History sites will have 5 minutes to present something from their collections, then the audience votes on their favorite. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Collections Showcase registration).

Thursday, October 27

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about where colors come from. Test your color mixing skills using different types of pigments. For grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

• Quarterly Lecture Series (in-person); 7-9 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Site administrator David Blackburn will present "Memorializing Martin Luther in his Hometown," exploring a brief history of Wittenberg, Germany, and the way the complex story of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation are shared with the public. The program is free, but reservations are required (Landis Valley lecture info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Haunted Lantern Tours (in-person); Friday, Oct. 28, 7-10 pm; Graeme Park
• Tour the Keith House by lantern light and learn the ghost stories. Tours last approximately 40 minutes. Tickets are available online at $10, with option for a mini-paranormal investigation for an additional $15. Limited ticket availability as of Oct. 19 (Graeme Park Lantern Tours info and tickets).

• Workshops in Archaeology (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This year's program centers around archaeology as a tool for discovering a pathway to the past. Sessions include Indigenous pathways, the Underground Railroad, and African American Civilian Conservation Corps camps. There will also be presentations on flintknapping and the Cultural Resources Geographic Information System (CRGIS). Early bird registration by Oct. 24 is $25 with an option to pre-order a bagged lunch; discounts for students and members of PA Heritage Foundation, Soc. for PA Archaeology, and PA Archaeological Council (Workshop info and registration).

• After Dark (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 29, 7-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• This event offers a chance to tour some of the historic buildings after hours with your own hand-held ghost hunting equipment (no costumed figures or scares). Advance tickets only, no large cameras or paranormal equipment, no metal detectors (Old Economy After Dark ticket options).

• A Halloween Haunting (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 30, Noon-3 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy's annual trick or treating event for children age 10 and under. Costumed interpreters and guides will greet visitors as they make their way around the site. This event is rain or shine, free, and open to the public; advance registration is requested (OEV Halloween registration).

• The Harmonist Connection: Town Planning (virtual); Tuesday, Nov. 1, 7-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Michael J. Lewis, professor of art at Williams College and architecture critic for the Wall Street Journal, will present a program based on his longstanding interest in the architecture of the Harmony Society and his work on the history of utopian town planning. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Harmonist Connection info and registration).

• 1940s Swing Dance (in-person); Saturday, Nov. 5, 7-10 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• The Moonlighters big band will play live among the historic trains. Dress in vintage 1940s attire, military uniform, or modern party clothes. Light refreshments will be served. Advance tickets available online and highly recommended; a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door (Swing Dance tickets).

Free Admission on the Trails of History

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, the commonwealth’s official history agency, invites the public to explore the state-owned historic sites along the Pennsylvania Trails of History for free on Saturday, September 24. Visit sites on the Military History, Industrial Heritage, Historic Homes, or Rural Farm & Village trails or The State Museum of Pennsylvania to learn about the people, places, and events that make our commonwealth so special. Before you head out, please check the list of participating sites. Then join us for a great day of history.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Saturday, September 24

• Free Admission Day (in-person); site hours vary; participating PA Trails of History sites
• See info above.

• Fall Nature Walk (in-person); 10 am-noon; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about the plants and animals of western PA on this naturalist-guided walk. Pre-registration is required, but you can pay for your tickets at the door (Nature Walk info and registration). Regular admission is free today.

• PA Geography with the Giant Map (in-person); 10 am-noon; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the giant map of Pennsylvania, walk across the state, and test your geography skills (Giant map info).

Sunday, September 25

• Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person); noon-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Bring your needlecraft projects and enjoy some company while you work. The event is free and open to the public (Sewing Circle info).

• Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Explore the recipes and plants that helped feed Pennsbury's early residents. Included in regular admission (Garden Highlights info).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 1-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a private history tour of the outside tracked vehicles including a private look inside the crew compartments. Climb into history and experience our armored vehicles firsthand! Please Dress appropriately for seasonal weather and uneven terrain. Cost is $15 per person, and reservations are required (Exploring the Armor reservations).

Wednesday, September 28

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will use hands-on objects to help visitors explore the animal dioramas in Mammal Hall. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, September 29

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the history of bicycles, tricycles, and scooters in the museum's collection. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Sat., Oct. 1, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Nighttime tours against the backdrop of the remaining elements of this historic oil boomtown. There are some steep hills and rugged terrain, so please dress accordingly. Advance tickets are required and may be purchased online or at the Museum Store at Drake Well Museum & Park (Lantern Tour online tickets). Some timeslots are already sold out, and others are going fast.

• Apple Dumpling Sales (in-person); Fri. & Sat., Oct. 7 & 8; Ephrata Cloister
• Purchase delicious apple dumplings and support the Back to the Cloister Fund. Dumplings are $5 each. Sale hours are Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 9 am until sold out. Prepaid orders of 10 or more dumplings can be placed online for pickup at the site, and delivery is available within 10 miles of Ephrata Cloister for orders of 20 or more dumplings (Ephrata website for details).

• Garden Railway Tours (in-person); Sun., Oct. 9, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Enjoy a self-guided tour of operating model trains in various outdoor and garden settings at 7 stops around Lancaster County. Masking and social distancing may be required or requested a venues. Tickets are $10 for ages 6 and up, available only via Eventbrite. Location info will be sent after you purchase your ticket (Garden Railway Tour tickets).

• The Farms of the Gettysburg Battlefield (virtual); Tues., Oct. 11, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Tom Lehman will explore the stories of civilians in and around Gettysburg and how their lives were changed the Civil War battle on their doorsteps. Site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a brief discussion. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Gettysburg lecture registration).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wed., Oct. 12, 10 am-2 pm; Graeme Park
• Jim Miller, retired professor of biology at Delaware Valley Univ., will present "Typhoid Mary, Irish Immigrant," exploring the misunderstood history of Mary Mallon and the social policies that resulted from the typhoid outbreak. Cost is $35 per person, which includes continental breakfast, lecture, lunch, and a tour of the Keith House (Lunch & Learn tickets).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Oct. 12, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Oct. 16, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background sound effects in the gallery will be turned off and volume on the orientation video will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Register in advance for a timeslot; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select your preferred timeslot).

Good Times!

Visitors to Wildcatter Days last Saturday at Historic Pithole enjoyed the old-time photo booth (for more photos of Wildcatter Days, visit Drake Well's Facebook page)

As always this time of year, there's a lot to do at our sites and museums in the coming weeks. We list special events and programs on Trailheads, but every visit to a Trails of History site is special. Why not make some lasting memories with family and friends? Or spend some quality "me" time enjoying a lovely garden or learning about the lives of people from the past? You'll find all our sites, and links to their schedules, on our website at PATrailsofHistory.com.

And if the summer heat isn't your style, check out the Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen (when looking at the top of this post) or PHMC's YouTube channel. Whatever you choose, (even if it isn't on the Trails of History), I hope you have some time to rest and recharge.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Saturday, July 16

• Civil War Weekend (in-person); Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday noon-4 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• There will be military and civilian reenactors, presentations on Civil War medicine, hands-on activities for children, and more. Admission charged (Civil War Weekend info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30; The State Museum of PA
• Read John, Paul, George & Ben, discover truths and legends about the Founding Fathers, and try writing with a quill pen. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Hidden Sounds Musical Program (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
• In partnership with the Harmony Museum, OEV presents a look at Harmonist music and examples recorded by Grammy-winning cellist Eugene Friesen in the Harmonist wine cellar in Harmony, PA. The program is free, but space is limited (Hidden Sounds info and registration).

• The Dead of Summer (in-person); 6-8 pm; Graeme Park
• This program includes a reenactment of an early 20th-century spiritualist seance and a discussion of the history of such entertainments. Tickets are $20 per person; limit of 20 people each for 6 pm and 7:30 pm programs (Dead of Summer info and tickets).

Sunday, July 17

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Exhibit noises in the gallery will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please register for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (select July 17 on PMM program calendar at this link).

• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks are starting to preserve some of the summer harvest. Included in regular admission (Open Hearth Cooking info).

• Reading & Book Signing (in-person); 2-3 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Author Alicia Puglionesi will read from and sign copies of her new book, In Whose Ruins: Power, Possession, and the Landscapes of American Empire (book signing info).

Tuesday, July 19

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (RMP Sensory Hours info and tickets).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's topic is medicinal herbs. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop info).

Wednesday, July 20

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about the fish of PA's waterways, their habitats, behavior, conservation, and the traditional Japanese method of fish printing, gyotaku. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (Explore! info).

• History Speaks Series (in-person); 7-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Doug Plance will discuss 18th-century weapon-making materials, techniques, and tools. Tickets are $10, available through Eventbrite (History Speaks info and ticket link).

Thursday, July 21

• Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will use hands-on fossils to help visitors learn about life on Earth from the Carboniferous Period to the present. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., July 26-Aug. 23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - a new topic each week. The workshops are open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop dates and topics).

• The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); Tues., Aug. 9, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Aug. 10, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Aug. 14, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be reduced (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please reserve your timeslot, you can pay when you arrive (go to PMM online booking calendar and select your preferred date).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., August 14; 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park
• This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and there are in-person and virtual options. Online registration ends August 8 (Registration info for all categories).

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

• Drake Well Museum & Park
• Discovery Days Camp; Ages 8-12; 21 & 28

• Joseph Priestley House
• Annual History Camp; Grades 1-5; July 27-29

• Pennsbury Manor
• Time Travelers Camp; Ages 9-12; July 18-22

• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
• History Camp; Ages 10-18; August 6-7

• Railroad Museum of PA
• A Moveable Feast Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; Aug. 2-4

Change of Seasons?

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week 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, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

Fall is still here in this photo of the Webber cabin at the PA Lumber Museum (photo via PLM Facebook page)

But it looks like winter is trying to nose in ahead of schedule at Drake Well Museum & Park (photo via DWM Facebook page)

   

Whatever season it is where you are this weekend, I hope you have a chance to check out some of the programming we have going on the Trails of History. A couple of notes about schedules. As I mentioned last week (I think), some sites have already adjusted their hours for the winter, and others will be doing so in the weeks ahead. So please be sure to double check. Most Trails of History sites will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. Bushy Run Battlefield, Fort Pitt Museum, Pennsylvania Military Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and Somerset Historical Center will be open regular hours that day.

Reenactors from multiple military conflicts will be at the Railroad Museum this weekend (photo via RMP Facebook page)

The Week Ahead

Today, Nov. 5

• StoryTime (in-person): this month's book is Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky; The State Museum of PA; 10:30-11:30 am; for kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): several artists whose work is featured in the 2021 Art of the State exhibition will talk about their journeys with physical challenges; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm (Learn at Lunchtime info and Zoom registration)

Saturday, Nov. 6

• 1777 Whitemarsh Encampment (in-person): a wide range of activities including music, open-hearth cooking, military drills; Hope Lodge; 10 am-4 pm; tickets are $10 (Whitemarsh info and tickets)
• Trains & Troops (in-person): learn about the role of railroads during wartime overseas and on the home front; Railroad Museum of PA; 10 am-4 pm Saturday, noon-4 pm Sunday; included in regular admission (Trains & Troops info)
• Civil War Days (in-person): the Village will be filled with townspeople, cavalry and other soldiers, surgeons, and others with a role to play; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 11 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday; Adults $12, seniors $10, ages 6-11 $8 (Civil War Days info)

Sunday, Nov. 7

• Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk (in-person): enjoy a late fall day with history and nature; Conrad Weiser Homestead; noon-4 pm, guided walk at 2 (Weiser program info)
• Daniel Boone, the Homestead, and the French & Indian War (in-person): Paul Trainor will present a program in the Wayside Lodge exploring the impact of the French & Indian War in Berks County; Daniel Boone Homestead; 2-3 pm; suggested donation $5 (Boone program info)

Tuesday, Nov. 9

• Rexmont to High Bridge: A History of Lebanon's Water Supply (virtual): local historian and science educator Mike Trump will explore the evolution of Lebanon County's water supply from the late 19th century to today; Cornwall Iron Furnace; 7-8 pm (lecture info and Zoom registration)

Wednesday, Nov. 10

• Veterans Service Officer Day (in-person): representatives from organizations that serve military veterans will be on hand to provide help; Pennsylvania Military Museum; stop by the museum between 9 am and 4 pm or make an appointment by contacting Stephanie Imboden at 877/720-8387 or stephanie@pa-legion.com (Svc Officer Day details)
• Explore! (in-person): learn about wild dogs in PA (like coyotes and foxes) and how they're related to the dogs in our homes; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, Nov. 11

• Virtual Ephrata Academy (virtual): Zachary Long, volunteer coordinator at Pennsbury Manor, will talk about traditional clear toy candy and show some of his collection of candy molds; Ephrata Cloister; 7-8 pm (Academy info and Zoom registration)

On Sale Now

• Wreaths & Greens Workshops: Pennsbury Manor will offer this workshop twice on Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm. Make a festive wreath to take home and learn some tips for caring for evergreens in your yard. Cost is $35 ($31.50 for members) and pre-registration is required (Wreath workshop details).
• Holly Nights: experience Pennsbury Manor by candlelight Dec. 2 and 3 from 6 to 9 pm; tickets must be purchased in advance by Dec. 1 (Holly Nights info and tickets).
• Gingerbread Cookie Kits: Railroad Museum of PA is accepting orders for train-shaped gingerbread cookies. Choose 12 cookies per box (plain) or 6 cookies per box with vanilla icing bag and sprinkles for $20. Orders must be picked up at the museum on either Dec. 4 (10 am-3 pm), Dec. 10 (4-6 pm), or Dec. 11 (10 am-3 pm). Deadline for orders is Nov. 29 (RMP cookie flyer for details).
• Christmas with the Conductor: kids ages 3 and older will get to board one of the Railroad Museum of PA's historic railroad cars to hear a classic holiday story. Other activities are also part of the program. The program is offered Dec. 4 and Dec. 11 with three storytimes each day. The $10 program fee is in addition to museum admission. Deadline for registrations is Nov. 29, but space is limited and this program usually sells out quickly (Christmas with Conductor info and tickets).
• Ethnic Traditions: Somerset Historical Center will partner with local families for a program on diverse cultural traditions, food, and music on Dec. 5, 5:30-8:30 pm, cost is $20 per person (updates on program/menu and tickets)
• Christmas at the Cloister: Ephrata Cloister presents a program of lessons and carols in the historic Meetinghouse on Dec. 13 and 14, with performances at 6:30 and 8 pm each evening. Tickets available to the general public on Monday, Nov. 8 (Christmas at the Cloister info).

Taking a Little Break

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week 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, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

The garden at the George Rapp House continues to offer color even in the fall (photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page)

Trailheads HQ is taking a little break next week, so I won't be here to update changes in program schedules. I'd hate for people to be disappointed, and it's always a good idea to check specific site info to be sure. See you in a bit.

Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, October 15

• Learn at Lunchtime (in-person and virtual): learn about new findings in archaeology and what they tell us about the arrival of Paleoindians in the Americas, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, included in regular admission or watch via Zoom (L@L info and Zoom registration)

Saturday, October 16

• Civil War Living History Event (in-person): meet interpreters from the Detachment, US Engineers, Cornwal Iron Furnace, 9 am-4 pm, event is outdoors and free, regular admission applies for guided tours of the furnace (Living History event info)
• StoryTime (in-person): today's book is Bones, Bones Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, geared for kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Iron Pour (in-person): artist Brian Glaze and volunteers will use a cupola furnace to melt iron and cast molds, Scranton Iron Furnaces, 11 am-4 pm (Iron Pour info)
• Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person): an outdoor immersive tour, Hope Lodge, as of 10/13 there were only a few tickets left for the 8:30 and 9 pm tours (Lantern Tour info)

Sunday, October 17

• Open-Hearth Cooking Demonstration (in-person): chat with the cooks while they prepare recipes from William Penn's time, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (Pennsbury info)

Tuesday, October 19

• STEAM on the Rails (virtual): sessions take place today and Thursday featuring a range of topics in science, tech, engineering, arts and math presented by staff from multiple museums, Railroad Museum of PA, 10 am-3 pm each day (four 30-minute sessions), designed for students in grades K-6, tickets are by donation (STEAM info and ticket link)

Wednesday, October 20

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the sciences of digging in the ground, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, October 21

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about memory and logic and how we use them every day, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission, space is limited to so sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)
• PA History: Read It, See It (virtual): make a virtual visit to Pennsbury Manor and hear about relevant books at your library in this collaborative program from PHMC and the State Library of Pennsylvania, noon-1 pm (email ra-edmakerspace@pa.gov with your name and topic to receive link)

On Sale Now (tickets still available as of 10/13, but supplies may be limited)

• Graeme Park Haunted Lantern Tours, Oct. 22 and 29 (Oct. 22 tickets and Oct. 29 tickets)
• Workshops in Archaeology (virtual): this year's theme is "Hidden Stories: Uncovering African American History Through Archaeology and Community Engagement," The State Museum of PA, 9 am-5 pm (Workshop details and registration)
• Old Economy Village After Dark, Oct. 30 (Oct. 30 tickets)
• Joseph Priestley House Riverview Cemetery Tour, Oct. 30, tickets available at the site weekends 1-4 pm or by calling 570/473-9474 (JPH event info)

Works in Progress

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.

Front view of restored artillery carriage and reproduction tube (photo courtesy PA Military Museum)

The Pennsylvania Military Museum has been working on a multi-year project to complete the restoration of several Civil War-era artillery pieces. These are reproductions manufactured after the war, under contract to the War Department, to be used for military history education. In its collection, the museum has an artillery carriage, limber, and caisson. As site administrator Tyler Gum explains, "Between 1895 and 1913, a Civil War veteran, Calvin Gilbert, who served in the 87th Pennsylvania Infantry, manufactured several hundred of these artillery pieces at his metal foundry in Gettysburg, PA. The surviving artillery pieces are referred to as 'Gilberts,' which is what we have in our collection."

Last Friday, the restored carriage was returned to the site, along with a brand new cannon tube. The Friends of the Pennsylvania Military Museum raised the funds to support the manufacturing of a 6 lb. tube. The new cannon is non-firing. In coming weeks, Tyler reports, the restored limber and caisson will complete the project. Exhibited outdoors with artillery pieces from different eras, this Civil War-era cannon will be used to teach about the evolution of artillery from muzzle loading to breach loading, along with the associated math knowledge needed to aim and fire.

Taking delivery of the restored carriage (photo courtesy PA Military Museum)

Throughout the pandemic, and even now that the site has reopened to the public, Old Economy Village has undergone a major restoration and construction project that has added new pathways, ramps, and new roofs to buildings in the historic area. Staff have done a wonderful job of documenting the project with photos and sharing them on Facebook. This past week, they updated the progress on window repair and replacement in the Feast Hall, used by the Harmony Society as a museum and as a gathering place for music performances and communal meals. It looks a little scary with boarded-up spaces right now, but it will have many healthy years ahead when its windows are back in shape.

Work continues to replace windows in the Feast Hall at Old Economy Village (photo via Facebook)

Upcoming Events (in-person and virtual)

Today, July 9

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), PA Fish and Boat Commission biologist Geoffrey Smith will talk about fish that live in the Susquehanna River, 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA (SMP link for registration)

Saturday, July 10

• Virtual Tour of M1917 Tractor (Tank), Mike Siggins and Tyler Gum will be your guides, 2-4 pm, PA Military Museum (PMM Facebook to register)

Sunday, July 11

• Living History Sunday (in-person), Darius Puff will share knowledge of Native American culture and Greg Geiger will demonstrate 18th-century shoemaking, Noon-4 pm, Conrad Weiser Homestead (CWH Facebook page for details)
• Tonight's Sky: Live Chat with the Planetarium Director (virtual), Linda Powell will help you discover what you can see for yourself in the night sky, 2-3 pm, The State Museum of PA (registration info on SMP website)

Tuesday, July 13

• Education in Lebanon County - 1700s to Present (virtual), Jared Blouch and Michael Blouch will share their research on the transition from one-room schoolhouses to today's education landscape, 7-8 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace (CIF Facebook page to register)

Wednesday, July 14

• Explore! (in-person), kids in grades 3-5 are invited to Nature Lab to learn about identifying organisms, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission, The State Museum of PA (link for Explore! details)
• Pittsburgh's Last Outpost: Captain Trent's Fort (virtual), Jason Cherry will talk about the strategic significance of the Forks of the Ohio, 7-8 pm, $7.50 per ticket, Bushy Run Battlefield (Eventbrite link for tickets)

Thursday, July 15

• Curiosity Kids (in-person), kids in grades K-2 can learn about the Great-horned Owl, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission, The State Museum of PA (Curiosity Kids link for details)
• PA History: Read It, See It (virtual), enjoy a virtual tour of Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum as part of this new series hosted by the Pennsylvania State Library, noon-1 pm (Zoom registration link)

A Slow Walk on the Wild Side

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (still mostly virtual). The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen have other online offerings that you may find interesting.

Box turtle on the grounds of Cornwall Iron Furnace (photo via CIF Facebook)

Close-up of different (I think) box turtle at Pennsbury Manor (photo via PM Facebook)

 





































Today's post is inspired by the box turtle posts I saw from two different Trails of History sites and by the continuing string of lovely photos that other sites have shared. I haven't visited any of our sites in person in more than a year, so the virtual beauty is very important. I hope you'll enjoy it too. Of course, you can also visit in person this weekend (and I'm planning to do so soon). Please be sure to check site schedules on websites or social media to be sure that they'll be open when you plan to visit (always my advice, even pre-Covid).

Old Economy Village's gardens are bursting with color, with flowers and herbs spread throughout the site.


Drake Well Museum and Park's #WildlifeWednesday post this week featured a Swallowtail butterfly that stopped by for a visit. (Learn more about butterflies today with The State Museum of PA - see listing below.)


For #ThrowbackThursday, Cornwall Iron Furnace shared a lovely ca. 1900 view of agricultural workers harvesting grain on one of the surrounding farms.

Upcoming Events

Today, June 11

• Learn at Lunchtime (online), Betsy Leppo will talk about native PA butterflies and moths, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm (SMP Zoom link to register)

Wednesday, June 16

• What's in a Theme? PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (online), this month's theme is Infamous People and Events, 7-8 pm (Facebook link to register)
• History Speaks series (online), "The Paxton Boys and Conestoga Massacre," Bushy Run Battlefield, tickets are $7.50, 7-8 pm (Eventbrite link to register)

Friday, June 18

• Learn at Lunchtime, learn about Harrisburg's November 1865 Grand Review honoring African American Civil War veterans, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 (registration link)
• Father's Day Weekend (onsite), free admission for dads 6/18-20, Bushy Run Battlefield (see BRB Facebook for details)

On the Trails of History, Oct. 4-17

If you're planning beyond Oct. 17, the full October program page is what you'll need.

Please note that most Trails of History sites will be closed on Oct. 14. Exceptions are noted below.

Old Economy Village will host the annual Erntedankfest Harvest Festival this weekend - see below for details (photo AKF)

Bushy Run Battlefield
Oct. 10: Historic Sewing Workshop Series—this 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 Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. See the Facebook event page for details on how to register. 6-8 pm.
Oct. 16: History Speaks Series—the Loyalhannon Spinners will present a program entitled "Sheep to Shawl." Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door (members receive 10% discount). Contact the site at 724/527-5584 for tickets. 7 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Oct. 9: Friends Lecture Series—site administrator Michael Emery will present "Pennsylvania German Gravestones" (details on the website). Lectures take place in the auditorium of Freeman Community Center at Cornwall Manor Retirement Community. Program is free; donations are welcome. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Oct. 12: Exeter Township Fall Festival—the Homestead will host this year's festival (more info on Exeter Twp. website). 11 am-7 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Oct. 12: Pithole Lantern Tours—see the remains of a 19th-century oil boomtown, check out the visitor center, enjoy live music, and play 3-card monte (watch your wallet). Admission charged. Details, including link for online tickets, are on the Facebook event page. First tour starts at 6:30 pm, last one at 9:30.

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 11-12: Apple Dumpling Sale—enjoy a delicious PA Dutch tradition and support the Back to the Cloister Fund (which has helped to return more than 100 original furnishings and objects to the site). There is no admission charge to buy or pick up apple dumplings (regular admission applies if you want to tour the site). Pre-orders for 5 or more dumplings will be accepted, and free local delivery can be arranged for advance orders of 20 or more; call 717/733-6600. Fri., 9:30 am-4 pm; Sat., 9:30 am until sold out.
Oct. 13: Day of Music—the Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform music written at the site during the 1700s, Mark Herr will present a program about the Miller Reed Organ, and The Dolpehock Sanger Chor will sing traditional Pennsylvania Dutch folk songs (see website for performance schedule). All performances will take place in the 1741 Meetinghouse. Included in regular admission. Site is open noon-5 pm (guided tours will be available).

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on events and programs. Fort Pitt will be open on Oct. 14.

Graeme Park
Oct. 9: Lunch and Learn—Jim Rose and Mark Liss will present "The Bryn Athyn Train Wreck," exploring the 1921 tragedy that resulted in 27 dead and 70 injured (read more about the topic and the speakers). Cost is $30 per person ($25 for members) and includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Reservations are required; registration form is on the website. 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

Hope Lodge
October 6 & 13: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open from 1 pm to 4 pm, with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Throughout the month of October: Craft Skills Workshops—numerous hands-on workshops for adult are scheduled. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration. Costs and times vary.
Oct. 4: Paint Night—the Landis Valley Museum Store will host artist Michelle Verdegem for an evening to benefit the museum and the historic animal breeds who call it home. The subject for this event's painting is a colorful rooster. Registration is required; register online or download a form. 6:30 pm.
Oct. 12-13: Harvest Days—a classic special event and a great way to celebrate the heart of the fall season. Loads of demonstrations and activities for the whole family in a beautiful setting. Admission: adults, $12; seniors, $10; age 6-11, $8; free for members and children age 5 and younger. Free parking and food available for purchase. Skip the admissions lines by purchasing your tickets through Brown Paper Tickets. 11 am-5 pm.
Oct. 17: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Visit the website for details and contact info.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 5-6: Erntedankfest - A Harvest Festival—celebrate the fall harvest as artisans throughout the village cook, bake, and demonstrate their craft skills. Music, food, and family activities make this a great tradition. Included in regular admission. Sat., 10 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.
Oct. 11 & 16: Home School Days—explore the village at a special education rate of $5 per person. Registration is due by Oct. 9 for either program; check the website for more info. 1:30-3:30 both days.
Oct. 12: Straw Hat Making Class—Sarah Hershey McKee, who makes straw hats for museums and reenactors, will teach the essentials and get you started. The class is free, but space is limited. You must register by Oct. 4 (details on how to sign up). 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct 4: Escape Rooms—there are two scenarios to choose from, so please read the online ticket info carefully. Some time slots are sold out, but check to see if spaces are still available. Details on the website.
Oct 5: Monthly Book Club—this month's selection is Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth, chronicling her experiences in postwar London. Contact info is on the website. 10-11 am.
October 6 & 13: Sunday programming—Oct. 6, Historic Trades (the blacksmith, joyners, and spinners will demonstrate their skills); Oct. 13, Living History Theater (William Penn’s steward and housekeeper, John Sotcher and Mary Lofty, will be united in marriage according to 17th-century Quaker wedding customs). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct 12-13: Annual Fall Antique and Collectible Show—this event features dozens of vendors and supports the programs of the Lumber Museum. Other activities include sawmill operation (Saturday only); birch still, shingle mill, and blacksmithing demos; and food for purchase in the community room. $5 admission ($3 for kids) includes the show and all museum exhibits and activities. 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Oct. 6: Friends' Lecture Series—speaker is Jeffrey D. Wert, presenting a program on Civil War-era businesses that made significant contributions to the Union war effort and benefited from the need for goods. 2-3 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 6: Garden Railways Tour—this event features outdoor model train layouts at private residences and retirement communities around Lancaster County. Tickets ($10 per person for ages 6 and up) may be purchased at the museum, at any Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill store in central Pennsylvania, or online through EventBrite. The program flyer has more info; a list and map of participating locations will be provided with your ticket. 1-5 pm.
Oct. 14: Columbus Day—the museum is OPEN today. 9 am-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 12: Heinz Lecture Series—learn about the collection of "Mount Pleasant Glass" at Pittsburgh's Heinz History Center. Lecture is free, courtesy of sponsorship by The Fraternal Order of Eagles Somerset Aerie #1801. 2-4 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Check the Planetarium webpage for a full schedule of programs.
Oct. 4: Archaeology at Fort Hunter—this season's excavations by the State Museum archaeology team wrap up today. You can drop by between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to see what's up.
Oct. 4: StoryTime—this month's program, designed for kids age 3-5 with an adult, takes place in Nature Lab with a reading of I am NOT a Dinosaur! by Will Loach. Included in general admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
Oct. 10: Curiosity Kids—young visitors, ages 3-6, will experiment with building a nest from found materials. Included in general admission. 11:30 am.
Oct. 16: National Fossil Day—learn about "the Pleistocene era" in the Paleontology Gallery. Included in general admission. 12:15 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park calendar of events for details of this month's events and programs. WCHP will be open on Oct. 14.

What Are We Up To?

Last week's post covers events through Thursday, August 8, and the August program page takes you to the end of the month (which will come sooner than we think).

New Developments in Accessibility

As part of our 21st Century Museums Initiative, we met in January with staff from the Dept. of Labor and Industry's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS). We wanted to explore ways that we could partner to improve accessibility at our Trails of History sites for people who are blind or have low vision. BBVS staff were enthusiastic and offered to do some site visits to provide us with specific suggestions. A team visited Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum in May, and we have a visit to the Pennsylvania Military Museum tentatively scheduled for later this month. BBVS also told us about Aira, an app that uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to remotely assist people who are blind or low vision with everyday tasks. Aira "explorers" subscribe to the service, which connects them to professional agents who provide audio description of whatever their smartphone or smart glasses camera is pointed at. When we talked to the folks at Aira, we learned that destinations (stores, museums, etc.) can also subscribe and allow explorers to visit their locations without using up their subscription minutes. The Smithsonian Institution had just launched as an Aira location, so we talked with the accessibility coordinator to get her experience.

Shelley Rhodes, Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, her guide dog, Humphrey, and museum guide Chuck Lehr explore the Erie Maritime Museum using the Aira app (photo Natalie Ditzler)

We decided to create a pilot project for Aira (see PHMC press release) and selected six sites: Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Old Economy Village, Pennsylvania Military Museum, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, and The State Museum of Pennsylvania. We worked with Aira to geo-fence each site so that explorers could use the service for free while visiting. The service went "live" on June 1, and we are gradually learning about the kinds of information we need to provide for the agents. The Erie Maritime Museum, especially staffer Natalie Ditzler, has been proactive in working with the Erie BBVS, where the staff has been very generous with their time and expertise. Several staff members have tested Aira in the galleries and provided the rest of us with useful insights. Shelley Rhodes, a vision rehabilitation therapist in the Erie BBVS office who is blind, said she found Aira easy to use and enjoyed exploring the exhibits - "One of the hardest things I had to accept about my vision loss was that I could not see art and artifacts any longer with my eyes. But with apps like Aira I can explore things in a new and exciting way." She also noted that she was able to browse in the museum store, with the Aira agent describing items or reading book titles. In addition to helping us test Aira, staff from the Erie BBVS office also returned to the museum to provide some training for guides on how to create the best visitor experience for people who are blind or low vision. That information will also be shared with the other pilot sites. Stay tuned.

Learning about Marine Archaeology

Students learn about charting shipwrecks with Erie Maritime Museum educator Chuck Johnson (in maroon shirt) (photo by Marcus Masternak)

Trailheads Erie correspondent, Linda Bolla, reports that "Erie Maritime Museum Educator Chuck Johnson is taking summertime opportunities to roll out a Museum Archaeology Lab, piloting the activities for the museum’s 2019-2020 school field trip schedule during Flagship Niagara League’s Tall Ship Summer Camp. Among other goals, the program will help students develop observational skills and apply math concepts through activities such as locating and charting objects. While the activities meet several Pennsylvania Core Standards, the Lab meets the campers’ most important criteria – fun!"

Top photo shows the simulated shipwreck debris field (photo Linda Bolla)
Bottom photo shows students learning how to measure and chart the debris field (photo Marcus Masternak)

Wrapping Up July

Vietnam Revisited event at PA Military Museum, July 20-21 (via Facebook)

Just to recap late July a bit, the photo above is from the Pennsylvania Military Museum's 2019 Vietnam Revisited event, which took place July 20-21 (more photos in the Facebook album for the program). Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's Civil War Days was held the same weekend. Lancaster Online covered the event and posted a gallery of photos with their article. Photographer Jennifer MacNeill's photos of the cavalry demo are on her Facebook page. MacNeill regularly photographs events at Landis Valley; her portfolio also includes other Lancaster County scenes and numerous photos of horses and the people who love them (you can find one of her horse photos, Back Scratch, in the current Art of the State exhibit at The State Museum of Pennsylvania).