So Much To Do

View of the George Rapp Garden and buildings on the Cobblestone Street at Old Economy Village (photo via OEV Facebook page)

Here's what's Up Next in the coming weeks on the PA Trails of History (please note that schedules are subject to change, tickets/spaces sell out, etc.). It's always best to check the PHMC Events Calendar or with a specific site to make sure you have the most updated information.

Today, July 8

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Dr. Robyn Underwood from Penn State Cooperative Extension will talk about the biology and behavior of honey bees. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Saturday, July 9

• Car Cruise with Market Day and Book Sale (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Classic and custom vehicles in the parking lot, vendors with handmade items and other wares, and a book sale in the Stone Room. Plus music, food and drink, and raffles (Car Cruise, etc. info).

• Wildcatter Festival at Pithole (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Historic Pithole
• Come explore PA's legendary oil boomtown and enjoy guided tours, living history, and more. Tickets: $10 (age 18-61), $8 (age 62+), $5 (age 3-17) - Friends of Drake Well receive $2 discount on each ticket (Wildcatter Festival info).

Sunday, July 10

• Living History Theatre (in-person); noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• "The Germantown Protest" explores the beginnings of the anti-slavery movement among Quakers in the Philadelphia area. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15 pm. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).

• The Funeral of Conrad Weiser (in-person); 2-3 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• This living history program will simulate the funeral of Conrad Weiser. Please bring lawn chairs for seating; there will be a canopy for shade (Conrad Weiser Homestead info).

• Summer Concert Series (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
• Baritone soloist David Hodge will perform, accompanied by David Crisci at the piano and the Reverend Rodney Smith on drums. The concert is free; $5 donation suggested. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating (Summer Concert Series info).

Tuesday, July 12

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's topic is Flower Arrangements. Open to ages 12 and up, cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 (7/12 Workshop info).

Wednesday, July 13

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Exhibit noises in the gallery will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please register for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (July 13 visit registration).

• Family Gallery Tour: PA Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Visit the museum's Transportation Gallery to learn about how transportation has changed over time. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, July 14

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

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Visit Nature Lab to find out how density impacts the ability of an object to sink or float. 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).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is Crime & Punishment. Five panelists will present objects/stories, then the audience gets to vote on their favorite or the one they think best relates to the theme. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Showcase registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Hidden Sounds Musical Program (in-person); Saturday, July 16, 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); Saturday, July 16, 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).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Sunday, July 17, 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 (July 17 visit registration).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, July 19, 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 (Sensory Hours info and tickets).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tuesdays, July 19-August 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).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sunday, 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; July 14, 21, & 28

• Joseph Priestley House (updated info)
• Annual History Camp; Grades 1-5; July 27-29

• Pennsbury Manor
• Colonial Camp; Ages 6-8; July 11-15
• 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

Welcome to June!

Photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page

There's a lot coming up in the weeks ahead. I hope you have a great weekend!

Today, June 3

• StoryTime (in-person), 10:30-11:30 am, The State Museum of PA
• Read Kite Day: A Bear and Mole Story by Will Hillenbrand and make your own windsock to learn about the power of the wind. Included in regular admission (StoryTime info).

• First Fridays (in-person), 5:30-8:30 pm, Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music and food for purchase from local food trucks. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Parking fee is $5 per car (First Fridays info).

Saturday, June 4

• PLEASE NOTE: Daniel Boone Homestead will be closed Saturday and Sunday. The grounds will be open as posted.

• Armies Through the Ages (in-person), 9 am-5 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
• Military reenactors from the medieval period through World War II will share what it was like to be a soldier in a range of time periods (Armies Thru the Ages info).

• Ales & Petals/Cars & Motorcycles of England Car Show, 10 am-4 pm, Hope Lodge
• Family fun includes food (for purchase), classic British cars and motorcycles, and live music. Those age 21+ with photo ID can also enjoy craft beer from Round Guys Brewing (for purchase). Admission for age 13 and up is $10 per person; tickets available in advance (Event info and tickets).

Sunday, June 5

• Colonial Craft and Demonstration Day (in-person), 11 am-4 pm, Conrad Weiser Homestead
• 18th-century crafts and living history will be showcased today. At 2 pm, a program on Forest Diplomacy will illuminate interactions between colonists and Native Americans. The event is free; donations welcome (CWH Events page).

• Historic Trades (in-person), 1-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
• Historic trades demonstrators will be eager to talk with visitors as they exhibit their skills. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).

Tuesday, June 7

• Agnes and the Demise of the Cornwall Iron Mines (virtual), 7-8 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Mike Weber will talk about the history of the Cornwall Iron Mines, leading up to the damage from Tropical Storm Agnes that eventually caused the mines to close in 1973. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Cornwall Iron Mines info and registration).

Wednesday, June 8

• Archives Without Tears (AWOT) Key Concepts (virtual), 10 am-noon, PA State Archives
• Watch any or all of the AWOT modules on YouTube, including the new "Introduction to Born-Digital Records" module, and then join a panel of archivists who will answer questions and offer practical solutions (register for June 8 live chat).

• Sensory-Friendly Visit (in-person), 10 am-3 pm, PA Military Museum
• Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).

• Ambler Symphony Concert (in-person), 7-8 pm, Hope Lodge
• Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnics for an evening of music on the lawn. Admission charged. Rain date is June 15 (Concert info).

Thursday, June 9

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase, 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is "sets of artifacts." Panelists from five Trails of History sites will present objects from their collections, then the audience will vote on their favorite. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Showcase registration).

• Fabric and Fiber in PA's Forests (virtual), 7-8 pm, PA Lumber Museum
• Museum staff Josh Roth and Josh Fox will highlight fabric and clothing items in the collection, along with selected images from the photographic archive. The program is free and offered in partnership with the Galeton Worldwide Knitting in Public knitters and fiber artists (Fabric and Fiber info and registration).

• Ephrata Virtual Academy, 7-8 pm, Ephrata Cloister
• Author Michael C. Harris will discuss his book, Germantown: A Military History of the Battle for Philadelphia, October 4, 1777. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Virtual Academy registration).

Friday, June 10

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
• State Museum director Beth Hager will present a behind-the-scenes look at the new exhibition A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania, opening June 17. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Log Birling Clinic (in-person), Saturday, June 11, 1-3 pm, PA Lumber Museum
• Join museum staff to learn how to stay on top of a rolling log while your opponent falls off. Registration is required (Clinic info and registration).

• Sensory Hours (in-person), Tuesday, June 14, 9-11 am, Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces around the galleries. Several historic trains will be open, with staff to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours tickets).

• Colonial Cocktail Hour, Saturday, June 18, 7-10 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
• Explore England's "gin craze," 1720-1765, with tastings and hors d'oeuvres. Cost is $25 per person (Cocktail Hour info and tickets).

• Sensory Friendly Visit, Sunday, June 19, 10 am-noon, PA Military Museum
• Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).

• Historical & Archival Records Care Grants webinar (virtual), Tues., June 21, 10 am, PA State Archives
• Staff will provide an overview of the grant program, define eligibility, and offer suggestions for competitive applications. Offered via Zoom: register for June 21.

• Brews & Bites, Saturday, June 25, 4-8 pm, Pennsbury Manor
• This event features breweries from the Bucks County Ales Trail along with live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations, lawn games, and more on the banks of the Delaware River. General admission is $40 (includes beer tastings); designated driver tickets are $25 (Brews & Bites tickets).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual), Sunday, 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)

• Bushy Run Battlefield
• Summer History Day Camp; Ages 6-11; June 20-22

• Drake Well Museum & Park
• Discovery Days Camp; Ages 8-12; July 7, 14, 21, & 28

• Joseph Priestley House (updated info)
• Intermediate History Camp; Grades 6-8; June 20-22
• Annual History Camp; Grades 1-5; July 27-29

• Pennsbury Manor
• Colonial Camp; Ages 6-8; July 11-15
• Time Travelers Camp; Ages 9-12; July 18-22

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

• Railroad Museum of PA
• Behind the Scenes of Railroading Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; June 28-30
• Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 9-10; July 12-15
• Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 11-12; July 26-29
• A Moveable Feast Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; Aug. 2-4

It's March Already!

Photo via Erie Maritime Museum Facebook page

Voting is still open for USA Today's Top 10 History Museums poll. Twenty museums are on the ballot, and our own Erie Maritime Museum is currently in the running to make the Top 10. You can vote once a day, with the poll closing at noon ET on March 14. Please take a few minutes to cast your vote, early and often (vote for Erie Maritime Museum). Thank you for your support.

For those of you wondering, Charter Day, a free admission day usually held in mid-March on the Trails of History, has been postponed until later in the year. Next week's post will include info on PHMC activities in celebration of Pennsylvania's 341st birthday as well as spring season kickoff events that are slated for next weekend.

Up Next

Today, March 4

• StoryTime (in-person), 10:30-11:30 am, The State Museum of PA
• Explore our solar system and read Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket by Sue Fliess with illustrations by Annabel Tempest. For kids ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)

• Conservationist Gardener Workshop (in-person), 11 am-12:30 pm, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
• Staff from the Potter County Conservation District will present about garden and backyard conservation. Free rain barrels and soil test kits will be offered to attendees. The workshop is free; call 814/320-4017 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop info)

Saturday, March 5

• Kids Day: Revolution! (in-person), 10 am-3 pm, PA Military Museum
• Learn about the roles of families and kids during the American Revolution through hands-on activities. Included in regular admission (Kids Day info).

Sunday, March 6

• Closed for spring cleaning, Drake Well Museum and Park

Tuesday, March 8

• Sensory Hours (in-person), 3-5 pm, Railroad Museum of PA
• Light and noise levels will be lowered during these less-crowded hours. Several historic railcars will be open, and museum staff will be on hand to answer questions. Admission is $7 for ages 3 and up (some discounts available); reservations are required by 1 pm (Sensory Hours info and tickets).

• Iron Age Evolved (virtual), 7-8 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Mike Weber will present an overview of 5,000 years of iron-making technology that led to the Cornwall Iron Furnace. Program is free, but you must register to get the link (Lecture registration).

Wednesday, March 9

• Giant PA Map (in-person), 11:30 am-12:30 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Test your geography skills as you explore a Giant Map of our state. Included in regular admission (Giant Map info)

Thursday, March 10

• Winter History Class (virtual), 9 am-noon, Ephrata Cloister
• Today's class is "The Martyr's Mirror: Historic Background and Contemporary Reception." If you did not register for the full 9-week course, you can attend today's session via Zoom for $10 (History Class registration for 3/10). Classes continue on Thursday mornings through March 31 (info on additional classes).

• Curiosity Kids (in-person), 11:30 am-12:30 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Learn about specialized beaks birds have to eat different types of foods, make your own bird feeder to take home. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)

• Wisdom & Wine Series (in-person), 6:30-8 pm, Drake Well Museum & Park
• Biologist and archaeologist Dr. Chuck Williams will present "Pipelines, Pumpjacks, and Powerhouses." Happy hour wine tasting starts at 5:30, and the lecture begins at 6:30 ($5 fee for each). Registration is required (Wisdom & Wine registration for 3/10). This series continues weekly through March 31 (Drake Well website for additional info).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (virtual), 7-8 pm
• Staff from 5 Trails of History sites will present objects on the theme "Mystery/Oddities/What is It?" and then the audience will vote. Program is free, but you must register to get the link (Virtual Showcase registration)

Friday, March 11

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Linda Ries, retired archivist with the PA State Archives, will discuss "Pennsylvania's Birth Certificate," the 1681 Charter given to William Penn by England's King Charles II. The program is free, but you must register to get the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Somerset Historical Center is hosting a Pysanky Egg Decorating Workshop on Saturday, March 12. This class is geared to beginners and the fee includes materials. Adults and kids age 12 and up welcome; ages 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult (Pysanky workshop info and registration).
• On Saturday, March 19, 2-4 pm, the Pennsylvania Military Museum will offer their popular history tour of the tracked vehicles on the grounds, including a look inside the crew compartments. Space is limited (in more ways than one), and reservations are required (Exploring the Armor info and registration).
• Also, on March 19, Bushy Run Battlefield will host a one-day in-person symposium on Pontiac's War. Presentations will explore causes, events, and effects from different military and cultural perspectives. Tickets are $35 for students (with ID), $60 for BRBHS members, and $75 for non-members; deadline to purchase tickets online is March 12 (Symposium info and ticket link).
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options (VIP tickets are sold out), including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)
• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum will offer living history tours on Saturday, May 21, based on the life and work of local inventor William Chester Ruth. Ruth was born in 1882 in Chester County; his father had been enslaved in South Carolina and his mother was a free woman of color. Ruth will be portrayed by actor Keith Henley of American Historical Theater. Tour times are 9:30, 12:30, and 3; advance tickets are required (William Chester Ruth Tour info and tickets)
• On May 22, Daniel Boone Homestead will host the Trails of History Run, which includes a 5K, 10K, and 1/2-mile fun run. There will be awards for 5K and 10K races, plus special awards for the best-dressed representation of the 1770s era. Advance registration is required (DBH trail runs info). Training runs for new runners start at 10:30 am every Sunday at the DeTurk House (near the front entrance gate off of Daniel Boone Rd).
• Drake Well Marathon, August 14 - this race is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Registration for a variety of categories is now open.

Winter Time Blues?

David Sonnen took this and other photos of the Conrad Weiser Homestead in last weekend's snow (photo via CWH Facebook page)

This past week has ranged from snow to spring where I live, and the weekend ahead looks like something in between (with wind, yay!). Don't let 60-degree weather in February fool you, campers. Winter never gives up that easily. As much as I'm not a big fan of being cold, I do love to see the winter scenes at our Trails of History sites, like the photo above from Conrad Weiser Homestead. Winter is definitely a slower time on the Trails, but there's still plenty to do. Even at sites that are closed to the public for the winter there is lots of activity going on behind the scenes. So whether you want to get outside, stay inside, or both - don't forget to visit your favorite Trails of History sites in person and online. (Here endeth my stream-of-consciousness exercise - Yikes!)

We love our visitors, but some jobs are easier to do when folks aren't around for tours. That's particularly true of giving our buildings and exhibits a deep clean (as opposed to ongoing maintenance and upkeep). Recently staff at Pennsbury Manor and Old Economy Village, both closed to visitors during January and February, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

I tried to come up with clever shift here, but I can't. The Pennsylvania Military Museum shared this post about the anniversary of the first computer, ENIAC, which originated as a tool for calculating artillery firing tables. If you're reading this on your phone, you have more computing power in your hand than this room-sized computer had. Wild.

Up Next

Today, February 18

• Snow-mobility Weekend (in-person), 10:00 am-4 pm, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
• Ride your snowmobile from Susquehannock State Forest to the museum today, tomorrow, and Sunday (10 am-4 pm each day). Enjoy a pancake breakfast tomorrow only (10 am-2 pm) in the visitor center (Snow-mobility details)

Saturday, February 19

• StoryTime (in-person), 10:30-11:30 am, The State Museum of PA
• Read "One Dog Sleigh" by Mary Casanova and create your own jingle bells. For kids age 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)

• Medicine and Disease in the 18th Century (in-person), noon-4 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
• New exhibit opens today. Regular admission charged (Bushy Run info)

• The Dead of Winter (in-person), 5:30 and 7:00 pm, Graeme Park
• This program is conducted in the style of an early 20th-century seance, with a short historical discussion afterwards. Tickets are limited and reservations are required (Dead of Winter tickets)

Tuesday, February 22

• Sensory Hours (in-person), 3-5 pm, Railroad Museum of PA
• Light and noise levels will be lowered, and there will be several quiet spaces set up in the galleries. Several pieces of rolling stock will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Registration is required (Sensory Hours ticket options)

• Pennsylvania Railroad Wooden Passenger Cars (virtual), 7-9 pm, The Railroad Museum of PA
• Take a virtual tour of coaches Nos. 3556, 8177, and 4639. Tickets are by donation (virtual tour tickets)

Wednesday, February 23

• 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 you learn about PA animals and their habitats. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info)

Thursday, February 24

• Winter History Class (virtual), 9 am-noon, Ephrata Cloister
• This week's topic is "Pennsylvania Dutch: The Story of an American Language." If you didn't register for the full course, you can attend today's session via Zoom for $10 (Winter History Class info and registration)

• Curiosity Kids (in-person), 11:30 am-12:30 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Learn about sleds and sleighs and how people in the past travelled and had fun in the winter. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (virtual), 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is Unique and Rare Objects. Panelists from 5 Trails of History sites will each have 5 minutes to present their object, then the audience gets to vote. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Collections Showcase info and registration)

Friday, February 25

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Curators Katie McGowan and Robert Hill will share the story of Mary Sharp Ward (1912-1989), who served with the American Red Cross during World War II. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration)

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Ephrata Cloister's Winter History Class continues each Thursday morning from 9 am to noon through March 31; if you didn't sign up for the full 9-week course, you can register to attend individual sessions via Zoom for $10 each (Ephrata Cloister website)
• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, in cooperation with the Potter County Conservation District, will host "Conservationist Gardener Workshop" on March 4, 11 am-12:30 pm; the workshop is free and in-person, but you must contact the Conservation District to register (Conservation workshop info)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options (VIP tickets are sold out), including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)
• Drake Well Marathon, August 14 - this race is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Registration for a variety of categories is now open.

Museum Selfie Day 2022

Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums curator Rachel takes a selfie to document some exhibit upgrades at the Erie Maritime Museum

As mentioned in last week's post, January 19 was Museum Selfie Day. Folks on the Trails of History took the opportunity to show the variety of exhibits and spaces we take care of and the settings for many of our sites. January is usually pretty quiet, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of activity behind the scenes. Here are just a few of the images that were posted. Visit each site's Facebook page to see more selfies. Also, since they are closed during the week this time of year, Bushy Run Battlefield has declared this Saturday and Sunday "Museum Selfie Days" (see below for info).

Old Economy Village curator Sarah with the elk from the recreated Harmonist museum in the Feast Hall building (photo via OEV Facebook page)

Drake Well Museum & Park's communications coordinator Heather snapped this selfie on a walk around the grounds (photo via DWM's Facebook page)

Cornwall Iron Furnace site administrator Mike took this selfie while he was clearing snow in the museum's parking lot (photo via Cornwall Facebook page)

Jeni, chief of education and outreach at The State Museum of PA, with a brown bear specimen on display in the main hallway of the museum's ground floor (photo via SMP Facebook page)

Up Next

Saturday, January 22

• Winter in the Lumber Camp (in-person): outdoor winter fun with sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and (conditions permitting) ice skating; Pennsylvania Lumber Museum; 10 am-3 pm (Winter in the Lumber Camp info)
• Museum Selfie Days (in-person): today and tomorrow tag your on-site selfies with #SelfieDay and #BushyRun; Bushy Run Battlefield; 10 am-4 pm (Museum Selfie Days info)
• StoryTime (in-person): read "The Mitten" by Jan Brett and learn about Pennsylvania animals in the winter; The State Museum of PA; 10:30-11:30 am; for kids age 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Annual Knox Mine Disaster Commemoration (in-person and virtual): an afternoon of art, music, and history to mark the 63rd anniversary; Anthracite Heritage Museum; noon-3:30 pm (museum opens at noon, there's an exhibit opening at 1, and the main program starts at 2); this event will be held in-person at the museum and also livestreamed on Facebook (Knox Mine Disaster program info)

Tuesday, January 25

• Sensory Hours (in-person): museum lighting, sounds, and activity will be at lower levels, and there will be several quiet spaces created in the galleries; Railroad Museum of PA; 3-5 pm; cost is $7 for age 3 and up; advance tickets are required (Sensory Hours info and tickets)

Wednesday, January 26

• Family Gallery Tour of Mammal Hall (in-person): museum educators will use hands-on objects to help families explore Mammal Hall's dioramas; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info)
• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (virtual): tonight's theme is Trades & Jobs, panelists will present their objects and the audience will vote on the best fit; 7-8 pm; the program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Collections Showcase registration)

Thursday, January 27

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about the development of flight in Pennsylvania and the state aircraft, the Piper Cub; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission, be sure to register at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)
• Virtual Program Series: tonight's program features Peter Wentz Farmstead, a historic PA German farm in Montgomery County; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 7-8 pm; the program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Program Series info and registration)

Friday, January 28

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): archaeology curator Janet Johnson will talk about an artifact of Rev War-era naval defenses recovered from the Delaware River in 2012; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm; the event is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration)

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Ephrata Cloister's popular Winter History Class will be hybrid this year (with limited in-person spots), running Thursday mornings from Feb. 3 through the end of March. Watch this space or keep an eye on Ephrata Cloister's website for details and registration.
• Winter Academy virtual programs will be offered by Drake Well Museum & Park on Feb. 10 and 17 (Drake Well Virtual Academy info)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options (VIP tickets are sold out), including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

Welcome to 2022!

Joseph Priestley House as seen at the Twelfth Night event in 2019 (photo via JPH Facebook page)

Well, we made it through 2021 and now we're on to a new year. I sincerely hope that your outlook is upbeat and that you're ready to take on new challenges that lie ahead. (Some of them are leftover challenges, to be sure.) Our sites on the PA Trails of History continue to face whatever comes with creativity and flexibility. With winter upon us, many sites are on reduced schedules and some are closed for the next couple of months. Looking ahead, we'll see a return of more virtual programming, which works well for folks who are staying inside. Please note that Covid protocols mean that you'll find staff and volunteers masked indoors when you visit in person. We encourage visitors to mask indoors, but we don't require it.

Drake Well Museum & Park kicks off its Winter Academy virtual program series this week (photo via DWM Facebook page)

The Week To Come

Saturday, January 8

• Archeology Day (in-person): members of the Westmoreland Archeological Society will be on-site with artifacts discovered throughout the county; Bushy Run Battlefield; 10 am-4 pm; included in regular admission (Archeology Day info)

Sunday, January 9

• Twelfth Night (in-person): festive greenery, lantern light, and chemistry demos (at 4:30 and 5:30); Joseph Priestley House; 4-7 pm; admission is free (Twelfth Night info)

Tuesday, January 11

• Sensory Hours (in-person): light and noise levels will be lowered, and there will be several quiet spaces set up around the gallery; Railroad Museum of PA; 3-5 pm; advance tickets required (Sensory Hours info and tickets)

Wednesday, January 12

• Games & Puzzle Challenge (in-person): test your knowledge and skills with a variety of games and challenges in the galleries; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; included in regular admission (Challenge info)

Thursday, January 13

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about living and non-living things; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)
• Winter Academy (virtual): tonight's program is about recycling all types of materials; Drake Well Museum & Park; 6:30-7:30 pm; this program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (1/13 Winter Academy info and registration; see below for additional events in the series)
• Ephrata Virtual Academy: answers to some of visitors' most frequently asked questions; Ephrata Cloister; 7-8 pm; program is free, but you'll need to register to get the Zoom link (Ephrata Academy registration)

Friday, January 14

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual): learn about the American eel and efforts to restore the eel population in the Susquehanna River basin; The State Museum of PA; 12:15-12:45 pm; free, but you must register to get the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration)

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Additional Winter Academy virtual programs will be offered by Drake Well Museum & Park on Jan. 20, Feb. 10, and Feb. 17 (Drake Well Virtual Academy info)
• The next PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 26, at 7 pm. Staff from 5 Trails of History sites will present objects linked to the theme, Trades & Jobs, and the audience members will vote on what they think makes the best match. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (register for Collections Showcase)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 2022, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options, including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

People are Talking

If you're planning to be out and about on the Pennsylvania Trails of History this weekend, please note that some sites will be open on Sunday, July 4, and others will not. Some sites will be expanding their schedules soon, after our initial reopening period, so it's best (it's always best) to check ahead before visiting. You'll want to make sure that the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there.

Please also note that Covid protocols have been lifted. Masks are no longer required at our sites, but visitors who prefer to wear them should feel free to do so.

Presenters (and one lurker) for the June 16, 2021, PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase (see below for link to video)

This week I bring you a series of quick hits that you may have missed. I hope you'll enjoy them. I wish you a great weekend. Stay safe, stay cool, and stay interested in history!

Old Economy Village created a short video to spur interest using a series of keywords related to their history.




Eckley Miners' Village and the Anthracite Heritage Museum (as well as the Museum of Anthracite Mining that is now run by the borough of Ashland) were mentioned not only in the "Office Ladies" podcast but also in Rolling Stone Magazine. In the podcast, hosts Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (Pam Beesley and Angela Martin from The Office) talk about an episode in which Angela and Dwight visit a fictional version of the Anthracite Heritage Museum. Kinsey did some online research and notes that there's a real museum (which appeared in a couple of other episodes of The Office). The Rolling Stone mention relates to a music release from country singer Don DiLego, "Dim Red Light," and its video filmed at Eckley Miners' Village.

Ephrata Cloister's curator, Kerry Mohn, and museum educator, Michael Showalter, appeared on the Cloister Talk Live! podcast a few weeks ago to talk with host Alexander Lawrence Ames about architecture, spirtual and mystical exploration, music, and the manuscript texts that helped inform Ames's book, "The Word in the Wilderness."

If you missed the most recent episode of the PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase, you can catch it on YouTube. It starts a little abruptly because I forgot to hit "record," but you'll be able to enjoy all the presentations (with edited captions).

Upcoming Events (in-person and virtual)

Today, July 2

• StoryTime (in-person), "Big Bad Bubble" by Adam Rubin with illustrations by Daniel Solirieri, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, included in general admission (StoryTime details)
• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), curators Amy Hammond and Katie McGowan explore dress in post-Revolution PA through portraits and historic clothing, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 (register to receive Zoom link)
• First Friday Food Fest (in-person), great local fare from food trucks and live music, Somerset Historical Center, 5:30-8:30 pm, parking is $5 (SHC Facebook for details)

Wednesday, July 7

• Explore! (in-person), visit Nature Lab to learn about native flowers and plants of PA, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in general admission (Explore! details)

Thursday, July 8

• Curiosity Kids (in-person), today's focus in Benjamin Franklin's inventions, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in general admission (Curiosity Kids details)
• Ephrata Academy (virtual), learn about the people who lived and worked at Pennsbury Manor, Historic Ephrata Cloister, 7-8 pm (Ephrata Facebook page for registration)

History in Many Forms

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 offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites.

Milk thistle from Pennsbury Manor's garden posted for National Pollinator Week (photo via Pennsbury Facebook page)

History is all around us. People talk about it all the time, sometimes heatedly. It shapes who we are today, as individuals and as a society. And there are lots of ways to learn and encounter new information, no matter your age. A number of items came across my screen recently that I'd like to share for those of you out there who may want to engage with the past.

Obviously, an in-person visit to one of our Trails of History sites is a great way to explore (find the list of all on PHMC's website). And sure, other museums besides PHMC's can be a good thing too (PA Museums has a good online directory). But as we've learned over the past year, virtual history offerings can expand your access to stories and places that you can't visit in person.

Starting in December 2020, PHMC's Virtual Collections Showcase has brought a monthly exploration of a central theme through objects and images from a selection of Trails of History sites. I'm always impressed with the variety of stories site staff convey through these objects and fascinated by their different interpretations of each theme. If you're curious about the breadth and depth of PHMC's collections and the expertise of our staff, the showcase programs, I highly recommend the showcase programs. Our next event is July 20 at 7 pm with a theme of travel and destinations (watch this space for the Zoom link when it's available). We record each program, so you can check out the Collections Showcase playlist (with edited captions) on PHMC's YouTube channel.

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania has two virtual day camps coming up in July and August designed for children ages 9 to 12. Campers will experience virtual tours of historic railroad equipment, participate in activities with instructors online and at home, engage in live discussions and interactions with railroad professionals, and collaborate with each other to solve challenges. Each camp will have three one-hour sessions, scheduled for Tuesday mornings at 10 am. The cost is $75 per camper; sessions will be offered via Zoom with activity kits sent to each camper's address. "Barons and Builders" camp will take place July 13, 20, and 27 (Barons & Builders registration link) and "Behind the Scenes of Railroading" camp is set for August 3, 10, and 17 (Behind the Scenes registration link).

I missed the first week of this, but there's still time to sign your family up for Bushy Run Battlefield's Summer History Club. Club participants will pick up a themed activity box at the site to enjoy at home and will receive a link for a YouTube video centered around that week's theme and activities. Upcoming dates are July 10, July 24, and August 7. The cost is $5 per session; pre-registration and payment are required. For more information and a registration form, visit Bushy Run's Summer History Club page.

When the Pennsylvania Military Museum updated the website this spring, they archived their blog posts and organized them according to topic. You can access posts by conflict/time period, as well as themes of arms and weaponry, Medal of Honor, innovation and interest, leadership and strategy, and women's history. The posts cover a wide range of stories, and many focus on artifacts in the museum's collection. You'll find the blog archive on PMM's website.

Photo of unidentified lumber camp, possibly near Corbett, Potter County, PA, 1890s (photo from PA Lumber Museum collection, LM2019.4.1)

The Lumber Heritage Region of Pennsylvania (LHR) recently released a draft report on research into diversity in the lumber industry, forestry, and communities in the region. PHMC's Pennsylvania Lumber Museum is an important venue in the region for sharing history and culture with visitors and residents. Research focused particularly on uncovering documentation of the roles and work of women and people of color. I'm still working through the report and am finding it quite interesting. It's available on LHR's website.

Next month, the State Library of Pennsylvania will launch a new lunchtime program series in collaboration with PHMC. Each "PA History: Read It, See It" program will feature a virtual visit to a Trails of History site along with suggestions for related books available from public libraries and/or examples of rare and historic books from the vaults of the State Library's Rare Collections Library. Sessions will be offered free of charge via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month from noon to 1 pm. First up is Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum on Thursday, July 15, at noon (State Library link to register).

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)

Get on Out There

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!

Spring has sprung at Drake Well Museum (photo via DWM Facebook)

The Pennsylvania Trails of History are beautiful this time of year (and any time of year). I'm seeing lots of enticing photos. If you're ready, I hope you get a chance to visit your favorite PHMC site soon. Always be sure to check the webiste or social media for your destination, since schedules vary. If you're not ready to visit in person, virtual programs are still on the calendar (see below) and we are happy to welcome you online. If you missed the most recent PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase, you can find a recording on the Pennsylvania Military Museum Facebook page (PMM video link).

A study in contrasts at Ephrata Cloister (photo via EC Facebook page)

 
International Museum Day was on Tuesday - I like to think that every day is Museum Day. I assume that Trailheads readers are museum fans, but if you (or someone you know) needs reminding, here's a link to 10 Reasons to Visit a Museum by museum data researcher Colleen Dilenschneider.

Upcoming Virtual Events

Today, May 21

• Learn at Lunchtime, Dr. Cynthia Little will talk about the "Game Changers" women's history exhibit, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm (SMP link to register)

Saturday, May 22

• The USS Pennsylvania, history of the famous battleship including service in WWII, Pennsylvania Military Museum, 2-3 pm (PMM Facebook event to register)

Tuesday, May 25

• A Brief Intro to Wooden Shipbuilding (Part 4 of 4), Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, 6-7 pm (EMM Facebook event to register)

Wednesday, May 26

• Gravestone Cleaning & Preservation Workshop, Drake Well Museum & Park, 7-8 pm (DWM Facebook event to register)
• Stroll Along the 1915 Street Scene, a narrated virtual tour of the golden age of railroading, Railroad Museum of PA, 7-8 pm (tickets by donation, use the Eventbrite link)

Welcome Back!

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!

Today's the day! Trails of History sites are officially reopening to the public and ready to welcome visitors. I've gathered some of the reopening posts on a separate page for general info. As we've noted before in this blog, most sites will be on reduced schedules (fewer days and/or shorter hours). You'll also want to know if you need to make an appointment for a tour or if there's a set schedule. In short, please take a look at the website of any Trails of History site you want to visit to get all the details (Trails of History page has links to all).

PHMC's requirements for safety measures can be found on the Welcome Back! page. We want to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy. Our staff and volunteers will do their part and we ask visitors to do theirs. Together we can get through this initial reopening phase and begin to get back to normal operations and programming.

PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase

Our next "What's in a theme? PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase" event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, at 7 pm EDT. The theme is Souvenirs and Swag. As always, our panelists will use the featured objects as starting points for a wide range of unexpected stories. The showcase programs are offered free of charge, but you'll need to register to receive the Zoom link (visit the Facebook event for details). What's that you say? You haven't seen one of our showcase events? Well, you can get caught up by visiting the Showcase playlist on PHMC's YouTube channel.

More Upcoming Virtual Events

Today, April 30

• Learn at Lunchtime, learn about the last documented mountain lion specimen collected in PA, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm EDT (SMP Facebook event to register)

Saturday, May 1

• They Fought Equally, a history of United States Colored Troops from PA, PA Military Museum, 2-3:30 pm EDT (PMM Facebook event to register)

Tuesday, May 4

• A Brief Intro to Wooden Shipbuilding (Part 1 of 4), Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara, 6-7 pm EDT, additional programs on May 11, 18, and 25 (EMM Facebook event Part 1 to register)

Snapshots from the Week

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--available whenever you need some entertainment.

See below for details on this month's Virtual Collections Showcase

If you're a regular reader of Trailheads, you know that a title like today's means you're in for a pretty random array of stuff. I mean, even more random than usual. Spring has sprung, so there were numerous posts from the Trails of History highlighting gardens and landscapes. Staff and volunteers are making preparations to welcome visitors in person again starting on Friday, April 30 (yay!). And Throwback Thursday is always good for some cool historical photos. So let's dive in, shall we?

News from the Trails

Lancaster Online reported on a writer who is walking from Washington, DC, to NYC. Neil King spent some time in the Lancaster area mid-week and posted on Instagram about his travels, including a twilight stop at Ephrata Cloister.

After catching a "mean game of softball" played by Mennonite ninth-graders Tuesday night, King capped off the eighth day of his trip in Ephrata. His final photo was of the Ephrata Cloister.

Posted by LNP + LancasterOnline on Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Old Economy Village's museum educator has been documenting and sharing the progress of an extensive capital project that will improve access at the site in all kinds of ways, including pathways, ramps, and an elevator.

From the Museum Educator: Here is a photograph of the new brick walkway leading to the cabinet shop.

Posted by Old Economy Village on Saturday, April 3, 2021

Gardens and More

Pennsbury Manor's historic gardens interpreter has been very busy with plantings this week.

Today's a BERRY big day in the Kitchen Garden! Our Historic Garden Interpreter Jessye is planting several 'bare root'...

Posted by Pennsbury Manor on Monday, April 5, 2021

The forsythia at Conrad Weiser Homestead is in full force.

Beautiful day at the Park!

Posted by Conrad Weiser Homestead on Saturday, April 3, 2021

Getting Ready to Reopen

The folks at Hope Lodge were doing some careful cleaning this week to get ready to welcome visitors. Operating schedules will vary by site, so please be sure to check ahead before visiting.

It’s cleaning day at Hope Lodge. Stay tuned for reopening details soon!

Posted by Historic Hope Lodge on Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Throwback Thursday 100 Years

Cornwall Iron Furnace shared images of Bethlehem Steel's Number Three Mine in Cornwall, which opened 100 years ago. The images are from the Dewey Bernard Archival Collection.

Happy Throwback Thursday! One hundred years ago Bethlehem Steel began to develop the Number Three Mine at Cornwall. ...

Posted by Cornwall Iron Furnace on Thursday, April 8, 2021

Upcoming Virtual Events

Today, April 9

• "Adventures in Nature Lab," learn about vernal ponds and the plants and animals who need them to survive, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm EDT (SMP link to register)

Tuesday, April 13

• "Historical Markers of the Lebanon Valley," Henry Deemer takes you on a tour of state historical markers, Cornwall Iron Furnace, 7-8 pm EDT (CIF Facebook link to register)

Wednesday, April 14

• Story Reading, "The Caboose Who Got Loose" (written and illustrated by Bill Peet), Railroad Museum of PA, 10-10:30 am EDT (RMP YouTube channel to view)
• "Dawn of Diesel Locomotives," Railroad Museum of PA, 7-8 pm EDT, tickets are by donation (Eventbrite link to register)

Thursday, April 15

• "Power of Steam," live virtual tour and demo, Railroad Museum of PA, 7-8 pm EDT, tickets are by donation (register on Eventbrite)
• "What's in a theme? PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase," this month's theme is Sports, 7-8 pm EDT (Facebook link to register)