Changes are Coming

The July program page is up and running; it has info on virtual programs scheduled for this month. We'll try to keep it updated to reflect site reopening plans. You'll also find links to each site's Facebook page to check out online offerings. Trailheads Rec Room (to the right of your screen) has pages for various online offerings. New this week is the Collections Gallery, with Facebook posts related to objects, photos, and documents in our collections - there's also a link to PHMC's online collections portal.

This herb garden at Conrad Weiser Homestead says "summer" to me (via Facebook)

So here's what I know. As of July 3, all Pennsylvania counties are in the "green zone." Lots of things are opening up, some are pausing, and some are closing again because COVID-19 hasn't released its grip. Our Trails of History sites are busily working on plans and guidelines and changes to keep everyone safe. UPDATE 7/7/20: reopening Trails of History sites has been delayed . We plan to start reopening sites the week of July 20; please stay tuned to PHMC's website and social media channels (such as Facebook). Individual site schedules will vary (many with reduced hours), so you'll need to be sure to check with your favorite site to see what's up.

The Charcoal Barn (Visitor Center) and Connecting Shed at Cornwall Iron Furnace on a stunning summer day (via Facebook)

It's Fourth of July weekend, and we still need to be careful out there. Most (all?) big events and festivities are off the calendar. Despite the fact that Trails of History sites have not yet reopened, many have grounds that are open to the public during posted hours. We ask that you follow all posted guidelines and practice social distancing (from people you don't live with - or maybe from them too, amiright?). If you have a picnic or bring pets along, please bag your/their trash and take it with you. As long as everyone looks out for each other, our sites are great places to enjoy some relaxing time in the summer weather. (If you visit the grounds at Hope Lodge, they've made their cell phone tour available on their Facebook page, so you can still learn a little history while you're there.)

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum had to cancel their popular Bark Peelers' Festival this year, but they've produced short videos with some of their usual demonstrators to bring some of the festival to you. Curious about how a shingle mill works? You can watch a demo from home. Stay tuned to the museum's video page on Facebook for more. (You might also enjoy this Trailheads post about the event in 2018, when the museum dedicated Bob and Dottie Webber's cabin.)

If fishing is your sport, Saturday is your lucky day. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has declared July 4 a "Fish-for-Free Day" on Pennsylvania waterways. No fishing license is required, but all other fishing regulations apply (visit the Fish and Boat website for details).

Some of you may be planning to watch the filmed production of Hamilton that is streaming on Disney+ as of July 3. I know I am. (If you enjoy a side order of commentary with your viewing, Historians at the Movies (follow #HATM) and the cast and crew of Hamilton (#Hamilfilm) are hosting a Twitter Watch Party starting at 7 pm EDT on July 3.) I wrote about my late-to-the-party encounter with the musical's cast album back in July of 2016. That post seems like a very long time ago, but I think it holds up.

"So, I spent the 4th of July listening to the album and totally get what the big deal is (my opinion, your mileage may vary). It was a fitting reminder of the heroic and yet complicated, messy, sometimes ugly, origins of our democracy and the importance of helping our visitors understand that life was not "simpler back then." And that we are all part of the continuum of history. "Hamilton," for all of its cultural phenomenon-ness, is also an object lesson: when history is presented as a compelling story, with an eye and ear to the intended audience, people respond. We can't create blockbuster musicals at our sites, but our staff and volunteers strive all the time to forge emotional and intellectual connections between the present and the past and to shed light on the human strengths and weaknesses we share with our collective ancestors. It's frustrating work sometimes (most of the time?), but it matters."

I hope you have a chance to spend time with family and friends in ways that keep you all healthy. I think all of us can take some time to reflect on our history and how it shapes our present. It's a moment and a movement for living up to what we can be. Together.

Engaging the Public

Last week's post covers events this weekend through next Thursday, and the April program page is now available. Hard to believe that March is almost over.

UPDATED 3/29 1 pm to include a little fan-girling...

Our preservation and stewardship work on the Trails of History is vitally important, but so is the work of sharing our historic sites and their stories with the public. I had a handful of interesting examples in my news feed this week. Is it a coincidence that most of them involved food? You be the judge.


Today, March 29, marks the 200th birthday of Col. Edwin Drake, who drilled the first successful oil well in northwestern PA. Last week, as part of the Petroleum Program Series, staff and volunteers at Drake Well Museum and Park presented an educational talk about Col. Drake, his wife Laura, and the birth of the petroleum and gas industry (see article from the Titusville Herald for an indepth look). Tomorrow, March 30, visit Drake Well for a meet and greet with the Colonel at 12:30 pm - there will be cake.

From left: Drake Well Curator Susan Beates, Volunteer Bob Archer as Col. Drake, and Museum Educator Sarah Goodman as Laura Dowd Drake (via Facebook)

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum introduced a new program earlier this month called "Lunch with the Landis Brothers," which included behind-the-scenes tours of the museum collection initiated by George and Henry Landis and the museum they founded on their family's property. On May 4, you can take tea with George and Henry's younger sister, Nettie May, and learn about her life and times (more info on the website).

From left: Museum Educator Timothy Essig as Henry Landis and Landis Valley Associates Board Member Rick Brouse as his brother George (via Facebook)

Earlier this week, members of the Friends of Old Economy Village were treated to "Coffee with the Curator" and enjoyed a close-up look at some of the original Harmonist artifacts in the collection. Membership in the various Associate groups on the Trails of History supports the programs and projects at their respective sites. Benefits generally include general admission and museum store discounts, but also access to members-only programs and behind-the-scenes tours.

The historic Granary building at Old Economy Village was the setting for curator Sarah Buffington's presentation (via Facebook)

BREAKING NEWS: 1 PM 3/29/19
And this just in...

PA Trails of History Events, Oct. 5-18

Most sites on the PA Trails of History will be closed on Oct. 8 for Columbus Day. The Railroad Museum of PA will be open (see info below).

If you're planning ahead, the full October program page is also available.

Also, please note that some site schedules change seasonally, mostly affecting which days of the week the site is open. Be sure to check ahead before visiting. And speaking of seasonal changes (smooth, huh?), check out this week's update of the fall foliage map for Pennsylvania and plan your leaf peeping.

Yum. See info below to find out how to buy one (or more) of these and support the Ephrata Cloister.

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 11: Celebrating Our Anthracite Heritage—this free program honors Anthracite Heritage Month. Jamie Longazel will present "Undocumented Fears: Immigration and the Politics of Divide and Conquer", and Stephanie Longo's topic will be "Italians in NEPA" (more info on the Facebook event page). 7-9 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Oct. 17: History Speaks Series—“Celtic Ceol…A Musical Journey,” is an acoustical program of traditional 17th- and 18th-century Irish, Scottish, French, and English music. Brenda Walker, Tom Lighthall, Nancy Podey, and Larry Podey will play an assortment of intstruments, including Irish whistle, guitar, fiddle, hammered dulcimer, banjo, and bodhran. Some of the music will be interwoven with the ancient stories they represent to bring the past to life. Cost is $8 in advance, $10 at the door (members receive 10% discount). Contact secretary@bushyrunbattlefield.com or Bushy Run Battlefield at 724-527-5584 for tickets. 7 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
UPDATE: Oct. 6-7: Site open—the Homestead will be open for visitors on Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and on Sunday from noon to 4 pm. Guided tours will be available on Sunday.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Oct. 9: Friends Lecture Series— Jim Polczynski will present "The Impact of Divorce in the James Coleman Family." Lectures take place in the auditorium of Freeman Community Center at Cornwall Manor Retirement Community. Program is free; donations are welcome. 7 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 5-6: Apple Dumpling Sales—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). Dumplings, from Aschenbach's Achenbach's Bakery [and thanks to an eagle-eyed colleague for the correction], are $4 each (this year, apple pies and pumpkin pies will also be available). There is no admission charge to buy 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. 7: Day of Music—the Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform in the Saal at 2, 3, and 4 pm. The program will include music composed at the historic community in the 1700s, along with works from other early American communities. The volunteer group is currently rehearsing a new transcription of a hymn written at Ephrata in the 1740s. While all ninety-two verses (!) of this important composition are not planned, there may be a sampling of a few portions. Included in regular admission. Site is open noon-5 pm (guided tours will be available).
Oct. 12: Community Days School Program—students and teachers move at their own pace among learning stations located throughout the site. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged; call 717/733-6600. Cost is $7 per student, with one adult admitted free for every 10 paying students (additional adults pay $9 each). 9:30 am-1 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on holiday schedules, events, and programs.

Graeme Park
Oct. 10: Lunch and Learn—Hugh Boyle, president and executive director of the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum and Library, will present "Duel at Dawn - The Feud Between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr." 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.
Oct. 18: Happy Hour with the Historian—this evening's topic is "The 'Body Snatchers' of the 18th Century," and the program will take place in the Graeme Park Cemetery (or indoors if the weather doesn't cooperate). Cost is $5 per person (free for members). Food and drink available for purchase starting at 6 pm, program begins at 7.

Hope Lodge
October 7 & 14: 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
Fall Workshops continue this month. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration.
Oct. 13-14: 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. 18: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Reservations are not required but you can purchase tickets online in advance if you like (program details). Admission: $11 per person (members and children age 5 and younger get in free). 9 am-3 pm.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 6-7: 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. 13: Multiple activities—there will be a Gardening Class, Beer Tasting, and a Sip and Paint evening. Please see calendar of events for details.

Pennsbury Manor
Sundays in October: Special programming—Oct. 7, Historic Trades (the blacksmith, joyners, and spinners will demonstrate their skills); Oct. 14, 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 6-7: 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 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-5 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Oct. 2: Central PA Civil War Roundtable Series—Chuck Teague will present "The Shadow of Napoleon on Lee at Gettysburg." Donation requested. 7-8 pm.
Oct. 7: Friends' Lecture Series—speaker is John Crider, presenting "The Cold War Up Close in the 1980s." Donation requested. 2-3 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 7: 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 or at any Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill store in central Pennsylvania. The program flyer has more info; a list and map of participating locations will be provided with your ticket. 1-5 pm.
Oct. 8: Columbus Day—the museum is OPEN today. 9 am-5 pm.
Oct. 18: Wine and Paint Night—you bring the beverage (alcoholic or non), the museum supplies non-breakable glassware, light snacks, and the painting supplies. An instructor from the Zolē Art Factory in Strasburg will walk you through the steps to create a seasonal painting. More info, including an Eventbrite link for tickets, is on the museum website. Cost is $37 per person (plus a small ticketing fee); you must be at least 21 to attend. 6:30-8:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Check the Planetarium webpage for a full schedule of programs.
Oct. 1-5: Archaeology at Fort Hunter—this season's excavations by the State Museum archaeology team wrap up this week. You can drop by between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to see what's up.
Oct. 5: StoryTime—this month's program, designed for kids age 3-5 with an adult, starts with reading A Little of Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything, written by Linda D. Williams and illustrated by Megan Lloyd. Then it's off to the Planetarium for an adaptation of Linda White's Too Many Pumpkins, also illustrated by Megan Lloyd. Included in general admission. 10-11 am.
Oct. 11: Nature Lab—"Creatures of the Night" explores bats, raccoons, and skunks as examples of nocturnal animals. Geared for general audiences, age 7 and older. Included in general admission. 11:30 am-12:30 pm.
Oct. 17: National Fossil Day—learn about "Giants of the Late Cretaceous" 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.

Goodbye August, Hello September

The September program page has the info you need to plan your weekend. If you'll be on the Trails of History on Monday, please check the list of sites scheduled to be open for Labor Day.

We're not quite to fall yet, but we'll be there soon (Fall 2016 tree at Bushy Run Battlefield)

There's been lots of activity at Pennsbury Manor recently, judging from their Facebook page. They adopted two lambs and are currently accepting votes via Facebook on names for the pair (either "Sage and Lavender" or "Admiral and Lady"). They are also raising funds online to help pay for veterinary care for the lambs and other animals at Pennsbury (you can help by visiting their Crowdrise page). I also saw on Facebook that Pennsbury, in conjunction with its brewing program, offered a workshop last Sunday on making your own bitters (see photo below). The workshop sold out, but more are planned. Pennsbury's volunteer newsletter noted that the site has partnered with Waste Management to create a garden outside the gate to support several species of pollinators. Citizen scientists from the Pennsbury staff and volunteer corps are participating in an effort to monitor the monarch butterflies, bees, and other species over the summer; the efforts will continue through late October.

"Bitters, Blubs, and Brews" workshop at Pennsbury Manor Aug. 27 (via Facebook)

In other programming highlights, Eckley Miners' Village drew a crowd of 480 people on a Friday for a free day earlier this month. Thanks to funding from the Buncher Foundation they were able to offer transportation to the site from Hazleton in addition to waiving ticket fees that day. You can read more about it in an article from the Standard Speaker.

Drake Well Museum added a geology and paleontology component to their annual Drake Day celebration, marking the anniversary of Col. Drake's successful oil well. They shared photos on Facebook (including the one below).

Is that a dinosaur at Drake Well? (via Facebook)

Ephrata Cloister is looking for singers interested in adding their voices to the Ephrata Cloister Chorus, now in its 58th year. Founded in 1959, the chorus has performed selections from the 1,000 hymns and chorales composed by Conrad Beissel and others in the Ephrata community during the 1700s. In concerts across the eastern U.S. and in Europe, the group has also presented a variety of other classical and contemporary songs, including music from other early American religious communities and traditions. New singers of all vocal parts are invited to attend rehearsal on Sept. 5 or Sept. 12 to meet the director, Martin Hinkley, and get a sampling of this season's musical selections. If you'd like to take part, please call Ephrata Cloister at 717/733-6600 for additional information.

A few other items of interest...

• a recent article in The Telegraph describes a changing exhibit, "Priestley and Patronage," at Bowood House, the site of Dr. Joseph Priestley's "discovery" of oxygen (the article also provides a look at the history of the estate and its current development)
• the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center's upcoming genealogy conference will feature current and former PHMC staff as speakers: museum educators Michael Showalter (Ephrata Cloister) and Michael Emery (Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum) and former SHPO staff member Jerry Clouse
• if you're looking for opportunities to explore archival collections and help make them more accessible to others, the National Archives has an entire page of "Citizen Archivist" missions
• on a related note, due (at least in part) to the popularity of Hamilton: An American Musical, the Library of Congress has digitized its collection of Alexander Hamilton's papers so that more people can have access

Happy New Year!

Taking a little break this week, except to remind you to check site schedules before visiting - some sites will probably close early today (12/30) and/or tomorrow (12/31) for New Year's Eve and all sites will be closed on New Year's Day.

The January program page is available now, if you're planning ahead.

Since this is a good time to look back at the year that is about to end, I've compiled a list of the top 5 most-viewed Trailheads posts from 2016 (as of Dec. 20). Enjoy and I'll see you next year!

#1 - Jumping on the [Hamilton] Bandwagon, July 8

#2 - Cool Stuff at which to Look, June 10

#3 - Happy Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2

#4 - PHMC curators log in for Ask a Curator, guest post by PHMC Social Media Manager Sean Adkins, Sept. 8

#5 - Stuff You May Have Missed, Aug. 19

On and Off the Trails

Please consult the December program page for details on upcoming events.

So, today's post includes some items from the Trails of History and a couple from off the trails that I thought might be of interest.

Lights adorn the rigging of US Brig Niagara during last week's Christmas Tree Ship event (via Facebook)

Seasonal events continue on the Trails of History (see photo above and check the program page for details). Washington Crossing Historic Park has posted and shared photos from this year's first reenactment of George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 (read a first-hand account from a first-time participant). The 174th Infantry Brigade from Ft. Dix (NJ) was there, learning first-hand about The 10 Crucial Days (following the Christmas crossing) and experiencing the crossing and march to Trenton. The Christmas Day reenactment starts on Dec. 25 at noon with a commemorative program, with the boats set to launch around 1 pm (boat crossing is dependent on favorable river conditions, but the program takes place even if the boats can't cross).

If you can't make it to the crossing reenactment but still want to be immersed in the American Revolution and the Early Republic (beyond listening to the cast album of Hamilton again), the National Archives has developed a webpage they call Founders Online. They've gathered 176,000 searchable and annotated documents (thanks to the Founding Fathers Papers project) related to George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and family, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison. But you'll find many other people in these documents (for example, there are 988 letters written by Abigail Adams and 1,348 received by her). Just what every history geek needs!

UPDATE 12/20/16: WCHP will also be livestreaming the event on Dec. 25 on YouTube, starting at noon.

Still shopping for that hard-to-buy-for history lover? Consider a gift membership, museum store gift card, or admission passes to a site on the PA Trails of History. Or a one-of-a-kind item from one of our museum stores. Or a donation in honor of someone who already has all the stuff they need. That always fits.

Eckley Main Street (photo by Bode Morin)

Thanks to my Google Alerts, I ran across a Dec. 9 editorial from the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader where they were awarding diamonds (good) and coal (not-so-good) to various local organizations. And I quote: "Diamonds to Eckley Miners’ Village and the people who work to keep the historic coal patch town-turned-museum engaging. The village hosts events throughout the year, most recently the annual 'Christmas in Eckley.' Admittedly, it can be an uphill struggle to present crowd-luring options in a town from a far past, but it’s also important. This may be an aging coal area where anthracite plays a shrinking role, but its importance in our history should never be forgotten." Amen to that (and thank you, Times Leader, for recognizing the folks at Eckley.)

On a related note, but off the Trails of History, I also ran into a Kickstarter project raising funds for conservation work on a coal-region mural painted in 1946 by Franz Kline (later known for his black-and-white abstract paintings). Kline was from Lehighton and painted the mural at the local American Legion post, which has now turned it over to the Allentown Art Museum. The video that goes with the Kickstarter campaign is interesting if for no other reason than it shows the museum's conservators removing it from the wall and preparing it for transport.

And one final item for this week. You may be familiar with Comedy Central's "Drunk History" program where comedians (mostly) get drunk and recount a historical event. A cast of regulars and guests then reenact the drunk's telling of the story, word-for-sloppy-word. It sometimes sheds light (however inebriated) on lesser-known aspects of history or facets of well-known stories. It can be very funny--the Harriet Tubman episode has become very popular--or not funny at all if watching people get drunk disturbs or offends you. Anyway, the Indiana Historical Society staff, wanting to try something similar but without the public drunkenness, created "Hot Pepper History." For each segment, the narrator(s) take a bite of a habanero or other fiery pepper and then try to tell a story from Indiana history. They've compiled a highlight segment, which gives you a good idea of the premise, and you can find the full episodes (generally 3-5 minutes long) on YouTube (The Fairbanks Tea Party is worth your time, I think). Who says history can't be fun?

Another Bandwagon?!?

If you're looking for something to do this weekend or next week, the July program page has the info you need.

We would greatly appreciate it if your weekend activities included voting for the Railroad Museum of PA in USA Today's "10 Best Transportation Museums" contest. As of yesterday morning (7/14), the museum was in 4th place out of 20 nominated museums. You can vote once a day through noon on Monday, July 18.

Last week I wrote about finally jumping on the Hamilton bandwagon and my enthusiasm for the musical. This week, feeling more adventurous I guess, I downloaded the Pokemon GO app to see what the fuss was about. The various museum listservs I subscribe to, not to mention numerous Facebook and Twitter posts, were exploring the impact of this almost instantly popular game on museums and historic sites nationwide (see this article in Travel+Leisure for an overview). To say the least, my enthusiasm level isn't quite the same as for Hamilton (which I'm listening to as I write this). So far, sites on the Trails of History aren't reporting lots of gamers, but we are seeing interest. The potential for people to "discover" museums and historic sites they were unaware of because of the game is certainly exciting.

Pidgey captured at Washington Crossing Historic Park (via Facebook)

The potential is also for disappointed gamers who find that they must pay admission to access the museum or historic site to capture creatures or visit Pokestops and gyms (did I get that right?). Or have trouble with cellphone signals (very few of our sites have wifi). When something captures the popular imagination so quickly, it can be very difficult to determine how/if to use limited resources (especially staff and volunteer time and energy) to latch on. To balance the fear of chasing a fad that will be over soon (ask me about pogs) with the fear of missing out on a real sea change in engaging the public. For now, we're gathering info and seeing what happens. Stay tuned. Or comment to let us know what you think. (Needless to say, but said, that these opinions are mine alone.)

In non-Pokemon news...

This coming Sunday evening, July 17, two Trails of History sites will be featured on PCN-tv. At 6 pm, you can catch Bushy Run Battlefield on the network's "Battlefield Pennsylvania" series. And at 8 pm, Joseph Priestley House will be the focus of the "It's History" series. (In between, "PA Books" will explore the 2nd day of the Battle of Gettysburg, which is noteworthy too.)

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Looking for ideas for the weekend and the weeks ahead? Check out our list of things to do in July on the Trails of History!

I've never been accused of being an early adopter of anything. Cutting edge? Not me. I like to let other people take the risks, do the legwork, push the boundaries. So, it will come as no surprise that it took me until this week to jump on the "Hamilton" bandwagon. Sure, I've enjoyed seeing a couple of samples on the Tony Awards broadcasts and heard snippets here and there. But what finally propelled me to buy the album (on the iTunes) was a public radio segment about an educational program in NYC largely generated by the popularity of the show. With funding from the Rockefeller Foundation, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History partnered with scholars, educators, and the cast and crew of "Hamilton" to develop educational resources, a curriculum, and provide tickets for 20,000 students (at $10 a pop). The program I listened to included students talking about doing historical research, meeting with Hamilton biographer Ron Chernow (whose book underpins the musical), and performing their own historically inspired music, rap, and poetry for the cast and crew of the show. It was moving.

John Turnbull's portrait of Alexander Hamilton (via Wikimedia Commons)

So, I spent the 4th of July listening to the album and totally get what the big deal is (my opinion, your mileage may vary). It was a fitting reminder of the heroic and yet complicated, messy, sometimes ugly, origins of our democracy and the importance of helping our visitors understand that life was not "simpler back then." And that we are all part of the continuum of history. "Hamilton," for all of its cultural phenomenon-ness, is also an object lesson: when history is presented as a compelling story, with an eye and ear to the intended audience, people respond. We can't create blockbuster musicals at our sites, but our staff and volunteers strive all the time to forge emotional and intellectual connections between the present and the past and to shed light on the human strengths and weaknesses we share with our collective ancestors. It's frustrating work sometimes (most of the time?), but it matters.

Last month, Conrad Weiser Homestead hosted a living history program, Forest Diplomacy, that explored the relationship between colonial Pennsylvania and the Iroquois nation at a time when things might have turned out very differently.

Eckley Miners' Village held their annual Patch Town Days event late last month, this year focused specifically on the anthracite region's Slavic heritage. Music, food, and living history brought the company town's above-ground history to life for a crowd of visitors. You can read more about it in an article (with photos) from the Hazleton Standard-Speaker, which highlights the Eckley Players' presentation about a scarlet fever outbreak. Below ground, the second year of archaeological exploration has been uncovering buried details of the lives of two families who lived on Eckley's back street.

Blogger The Crazy Tourist included the Railroad Museum and the State Museum on a list of the top 25 things to do in Pennsylvania! He may be crazy but he has good taste.

And while we're at it, the Railroad Museum is in the running for USA Today's contest to select the 10 best transportation museums in the country (as of 9:23 am on July 8, RMP is ranked 3rd out of 20 in the voting). You can vote once a day through July 22 18 at noon. Don't throw away your shot.