Watch This!

Shop for all kinds of heirloom varieties at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum today and Saturday (photo via LVVFM Facebook page)

Over the past month or so, I've run across some Trails of History videos that I'd like to share. But first, I want to be sure you know about our PA History 2 Go project, which was funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) federal grant under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The series includes all Trails of History sites and provides overviews of site history and visitor experiences at each. The videos can help you prepare for an in-person visit or experience a site that isn't convenient for you. You'll find links to all the videos on PHMC's PA History 2 Go page.

You may (depending on how "online" you are) have seen a trend of people doing videos in the style of filmmaker Wes Anderson (Grand Hotel Budapest, The Life Aquatic, The Royal Tenenbaums and many others). At Old Economy Village, they got in on the trend.



On a very different note, the Railroad Museum of PA posted a time lapse video of their recent Rails & Ales craft beer event. Whether you're curious about this specific event or want a behind-the-scenes view of the work involved in an event like this from set-up to tear-down, you may enjoy this.



The exhibits at Drake Well Museum & Park were featured in an episode of WQLN's Chronicles series earlier this year, Pithole City: The Ghost of America's Black Gold, Part I. Drake Well curator Susan Beates shares her considerable knowledge of Pithole, as well as images and objects from Drake Well's collection. The Visitor Center at Historic Pithole City is open on Saturdays and Sundays from June through August.

Up Next

Today, May 12

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

Saturday, May 13

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Did you know that the dioramas in Mammal Hall are based on real locations in Pennsylvania? Locate each of these spots on the giant map of Pennsylvania and discover some interesting facts about our state mammals. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall program info).

• Mother's Day Weekend Celebration (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Learn about the roles of women in the American Revolution and try some hands-on activities, see the colonial cook at work, and make a craft. Included in regular admission (Brandywine Mother's Day program info).

• Book Talk & Signing (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Robert Lynn Steiner will talk about his book, River Boots: A Fish Warden's Tales of Pennsylvania Fish and Game Law Enforcement. Steiner worked for the PA Fish and Boat Commission for a quarter century. Copies of the book will be available for purchase in the museum shop and can be signed after the talk (PLM Book Talk info).

Sunday, May 14

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

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• As the Lady of the Manor, Hannah Penn tended to everyone when they were sick, including her husband. Come and talk with Hannah and the people at Pennsbury about their experiences being ill and the remedies that where available. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

Tuesday, May 16

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (May 16 Sensory Hours tickets).

• PHMC Archival Grant Webinars (virtual); 10 am; PA State Archives
• Learn more about the Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC) grant program, determine your eligibility, and get suggestions for a successful application. Webinars are free, but you must register to receive the link (register for May 16 webinar).

Wednesday, May 17

• History Speaks Series (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Wayne Marshall will present "Beer Making through the Ages" followed by a question and answer session. He will discuss the history of beer, ingredients used, and the process involved (History Speaks tickets via Eventbrite).

Friday, May 19

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Lindsay A. Byron, environmental group manager for the Department of Environmental Protection, will talk about climate projections for Pennsylvania, the impacts of those changes for the Commonwealth and its residents, and the action being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resiliency. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• PHMC Archival Grant Webinars (virtual); Thursday, May 25, 2 pm; PA State Archives
• Learn more about the Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC) grant program, determine your eligibility, and get suggestions for a successful application. Webinars are free, but you must register to receive the link (register for May 25 webinar).

• Behind the Scenes Tour (in-person); Thursday, May 25, 6-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Explore attics and basements of Harmonist buildings and visit collections storage areas during this behind-the-scenes peek. Light hors-d'oeuvres will be served after the tour. Space is limited. Contact Sarah Buffington (sbuffingto@pa.gov) to register.

• Ales & Petals/Cars & Motorcycles of England Car Show (in-person); Saturday, June 3, 10 am-4 pm; Hope Lodge
• Enjoy food, live music and craft beers (age 21+ with valid ID) for a tour of one of the largest British motoring shows on the East Coast with over 250 classic British cars and motorcycles. This event will also feature tours of the Hope Lodge mansion and celebration of 275th anniversary. Admission is $10 (Hope Lodge event info and ticket link).

• Brews at the Battlefield (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 5-8 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Taste beers from local and regional breweries, listen to music, and enjoy food from Burgers by Wildwich (separate purchase from event tickets). You must be at least age 21 to attend, and photo ID will be required at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance; designated driver tickets available (Brews at the Battlefield tickets).

• OEV Music Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, Noon-8 pm both days; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a wide array of bands at a beautiful historic site. Event is rain or shine (will move indoors if the weather is bad); bring chairs and blankets for outdoor seating. There will be a variety of food trucks onsite (separate purchase). Advance tickets only; choose one day or the whole weekend (OEV Music Weekend line-up and tickets).

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

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

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

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

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

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

• 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

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

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

What Does the Whistle Pig Say?

I don't know why I always fall for the hype of Groundhog Day (the annual vigil for the end of winter, not the movie, which I liked). Punxsutawney Phil, Octorara Orphie, and others whose names escape me at the moment. No matter what they see tomorrow (Feb. 2) there will be at least six more weeks of winter. It's Pennsylvania after all. Anyway, winter activities will get us through; the ongoing programs and events in the coming week are listed below. The usual winter caveats apply here: some sites are on reduced hours this time of year, and weather may interfere with operating schedules and special events, so please check ahead if you're not sure. The complete (as far as I know it) February program page is available if you want to plan ahead.

UPDATE on the whistle pigs, 2/4/19: so Phil did not see his shadow, which means an early spring (video courtesy of VisitPA). But Octoraro Orphie and Mount Joy Minnie, in Lancaster County, saw their shadows, which means 6 more weeks of winter. My comment above stands.

Check out the Cabin Fever Party at Historic Pithole on Feb. 2!

Drake Well Museum
Feb. 2: Pithole Cabin Fever Party—shake off your winter blues with music, food, crafts, games, and fun. If there is snow, grab your sled and cruise down the legendary boomtown’s slopes or build a snowman! Donations welcome. Takes place at Historic Pithole City, 14118 Pithole Road, Pleasantville, PA 16341 (check out the Facebook event for details and updates). 10 am-2 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Thursdays through March 28: Winter History Class—learn about the history of the community at Ephrata and the world that surrounded it (more info on Facebook page). Speakers include site staff as well as outside scholars (list of session topics and speakers). Sessions are held from 9 am to noon each Thursday through March 28, and there is a field trip (extra charge) on April 4. Cost for the entire class is $55, $45 for members; you can attend individual classes for $10 each. Call the site at 717/733-6600 for more information or to register.

Fort Pitt Museum
Feb. 2: Museum reopens—Fort Pitt Museum is back to regular hours, after being closed for exhibit upgrades and maintenance.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Ongoing: Winter Learning for Adults—winter weekends mean learning opportunities, including craft and trade classes, lectures, and classes offered by the Heirloom Seed Project. Schedules and costs vary. The full list of classes through April is on the website, along with a registration form.
Starting Feb. 6: Homeschool Classes—on six Wednesdays in February through mid-March, Landis Valley offers a series of classes designed for homeschool groups. Each week has a different focus and activities. Sign up for all or some, depending on your schedule and interest (full details are on the website) 9 am-12:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Planetarium Shows—check the State Museum website for schedule and program descriptions.
Feb. 1: Storytime—this month's book is The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. Participants will use their imaginations to create their own "magnificent thing." Geared for ages 3-5 with accompanying adult. Included in regular admission. 10-11 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for info on any events and programs happening this month.

On the Trails of History, Jan. 25-Feb. 7

The usual winter caveats apply here: some sites are on reduced hours this time of year, and weather may interfere with operating schedules and special events, so please check ahead if you're not sure. That said, there's stuff to do on the Trails of History. The complete (as far as I know it) February program page is available if you want to plan ahead.

Sledders and cross country skiers at PA Lumber Museum in 2018 (via Facebook)

Drake Well Museum
Jan. 26: Something More Saturday—enjoy family-friendly activities in addition to the museum's permanent exhibits (click "interested" on the Facebook event to receive updates). Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.
Feb. 2: Pithole Cabin Fever Party—shake off your winter blues with music, food, crafts, games, and fun. If there is snow, grab your sled and cruise down the legendary boomtown’s slopes or build a snowman! Donations welcome. Takes place at Historic Pithole City, 14118 Pithole Road, Pleasantville, PA 16341 (check out the Facebook event for details and updates). 10 am-2 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Beginning Jan. 31: Winter History Class—learn about the history of the community at Ephrata and the world that surrounded it (more info on Facebook page). Speakers include site staff as well as outside scholars. Sessions are held from 9 am to noon each Thursday through March 28, and there is a field trip (extra charge) on April 4. Cost for the entire class is $55, $45 for members; you can attend individual classes for $10 each. Call the site at 717/733-6600 for more information or to register.

Fort Pitt Museum
Through Feb. 1: Museum closed—Fort Pitt Museum is closed during the month of January for exhibit upgrades and maintenance. It will reopen on Feb. 2.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Starting Jan. 26: Winter Learning for Adults—winter weekends mean learning opportunities, including craft and trade classes, lectures, and classes offered by the Heirloom Seed Project. Schedules and costs vary. The full list of classes through April is on the website, along with a registration form.
Starting Feb. 6: Homeschool Classes—on six Wednesdays in February through mid-March, Landis Valley offers a series of classes designed for homeschool groups. Each week has a different focus and activities. Sign up for all or some, depending on your schedule and interest (full details are on the website) 9 am-12:30 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Jan. 26: Winter in the Lumber Camp—dress warmly to explore outdoor activities on the museum grounds. Bring your own sled, if you like, or try cross-country skis, snowshoes, or ice skates (conditions permitting) provided by DCNR State Parks program. Outdoor activities, including guided snowshoe hike on the Sustainable Forestry Trail, are free. There will be a nominal charge for museum admission and snacks if you want to venture indoors. Visit the website for details. 10 am-3 pm (trail hike is at 1 pm).

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Planetarium Shows—check the State Museum website for schedule and program descriptions.
Feb. 1 [corrected]: Storytime—this month's book is The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. Participants will use their imaginations to create their own "magnificent thing." Geared for ages 3-5 with accompanying adult. Included in regular admission. 10-11 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for info on any events and programs happening this month.

So Many Ways to Learn

Please check the June program listings for events coming up.

Third graders from Otto Eldred Elementary wrote colorful thank you notes after their visit to the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum in May (courtesy PLM)

Thousands of elementary school students visit the Pennsylvania Trails of History every spring and fall, and many more visit with their families and friends throughout the year. The thank you notes pictured above, received by staff at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, are just a few of the hundreds sent to our staff and volunteers. Many teachers find it a great way to find out what their students remember about their visit, and we find them helpful, too. While younger students are most common for organized visits, we certainly see our share of older students and adults, eager to learn in a variety of ways.

This year to commemorate the 300th anniversary of William Penn's death, Pennsbury Manor is asking school visitors to describe Penn's legacy. They'll be sharing those insights every Wednesday. This week, they posted about Penn's role as founder of Pennsylvania, certainly a significant legacy for us all. Follow Pennsbury's Educator page on Facebook to see more on Penn's Legacy Year.

The University of Maryland's Eckley Archaeology Project has begun for this summer, with students documenting the Rubin House. Local high school students interested in archaeology may want to apply for the high school field program, which starts on June 18. More information on applying, as well as photos of numerous activities, can be found on the Eckley Archaeology Project Facebook page. Otherwise, be sure to take a look at the excavations while at Eckley Miners' Village for this summer's Molly Maguires semicentennial.

Last weekend, to help kick off the summer season, The Allegheny Ironsides vintage baseball club were on site at Historic Pithole for Wildcatter Day. They helped the Drake Well team learn how to play 1860s baseball as it would have been played during Pithole's heyday. They posted a summary and lots of photos on their Facebook page.

Ephrata Cloister staff members Michael Showalter and Nick Siegert contributed a section for the upcoming museum studies text, Interpreting Religion at Museums and Historic Sites, edited by Gretchen Buggeln and former PHMC executive director Barbara Franco. The book is part of the American Association for State and Local History's Interpreting History Series, published by Rowman & Littlefield. It is due out in September.

WBRE's Lauren Hensley recently visited Joseph Priestley House and posted about it on her Facebook page. Tomorrow, June 9, the site hosts its first World Doll Day event, dedicated to longtime volunteer Ruth Eleanor McCorkill and devoted to teaching about the Priestley family in the 18th and 19th centuries. Kids are encouraged to bring their own dolls along. The event is free, but there is a fee for the doll tea party and reservations are required.

Ruth Eleanor McCorkill (1920-2017) with Merry Mary doll she created for Joseph Priestley House (photo JPH)

Not Unlucky At All

Check the October program page for info on upcoming events!

So, this is the first Friday the 13th we've had since January - some years we have more, but this year, just the two. And not another one until April. So, could be worse, I guess. Easy for me to say.

Fall programming is continuing apace and sites are sharing photos and info, so I've selected some to pass along.

Bushy Run Battlefield (via Facebook)

Bushy Run Battlefield's museum facilitator reports: "Our Fall Nature Walk [Sept. 30] was a large success with about 30 adults and children joining our volunteers Bob Learzaf and Dave Browning for a walk through the woods and trails. Bob and Dave took them on a two-hour walk and identified many of the native plants we have at Bushy Run." The sold-out Fall Tea last weekend featured a talk on colonial herbal practices by Lori Lazar of Hedge Witch Apothecary (photos on FB). And due to high demand, the Haunted History Hayride on Oct. 21 has already sold out for this year. Although the site closes Oct. 29 for regular visitation (reopening in the spring), there are still two special events on the schedule (check Facebook page for details).

The indomitable Bill Stumpf (top) as Charles Leonard, Lee Deeter and Gavin Griffin (bottom) as teamsters at Historic Pithole City's Lantern Tours (photos from Drake Well Museum)

I also heard from Sarah Goodman and Sheri Hamilton at Drake Well Museum with an update on last weekend's Lantern Tour event at Historic Pithole City. Sarah reports that more than "500 visitors encountered different petroleum history characters and listened to their colorful stories about Historic Pithole City. The evening was amazing with the Harvest Moon rising over the grounds and illuminating the spirits. Visitors also enjoyed listening to period music and seasonal refreshments while awaiting their tour." Sheri added: "Everyone enjoyed themselves, even the staff!" Congrats on another great program.

Wildflowers and fall foliage at PA Lumber Museum (via Facebook)

The Fall Antiques and Collectibles Show at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum last weekend drew enthusiastic shoppers as well as folks who wanted to see the sawmill in action and explore the history of logging and forestry. The museum and grounds are also a wonderful venue for taking in the colors of autumn. (More photos on the museum's Facebook page.) This Sunday, the PA Lumber Museum Associates (PALMA) will hold their annual meeting and enjoy a program looking back at the history of the museum.

Looking ahead...

PHMC and the Pennsylvania Historical Association have announced application details for the Scholars in Residence Program, which provides support for full-time research and study in the manuscript and state record collections maintained by the Pennsylvania State Archives. Residency programs are open to anyone researching Pennsylvania history, including academic scholars, public sector professionals, independent scholars, graduate students, educators, writers, filmmakers and others. Residencies may be scheduled for up to four weeks between June 15, 2018, and August 15, 2018. Stipends will be awarded. Please visit the PA State Archives Scholars in Residence page for complete details on how to apply. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15, with notifications going out in April.

This weekend marks the beginning of a 4-part "Vietnam Lecture Series" at the Pennsylvania Military Museum. Speakers will include historians and veterans, providing a variety of perspectives on the Vietnam War. All lectures take place from 2 to 4 pm in the museum auditorium. There is no charge for the lectures, although regular admission rates apply to visit the exhibits.

• Oct. 15: "Introduction" (description and speaker info)
• Oct. 22: "The Air War" (description and speaker info)
• Oct. 29: "Americans in Battle" (description and speaker info)
• Nov. 5: "POWs" (description and speaker info)

I thought it was spring, but I was wrong

Be sure to check out the April program page for a list of stuff to do this weekend and beyond.

As I write this, the "s" word has found its way back into the forecast for the weekend. In many years of involvement with the PHMC's Volunteer of the Year awards program, I don't think I've ever had to worry about snow, but sure enough, there it is. I'm very optimistic and don't think it will seriously hamper the festivities, but it's a real pain to have to think about it (and a blessing I don't take for granted that I don't have to do so very often). Watch for a post later this month recapping this year's honorees. This week's post, on the other hand, is all over the place.

Garden at Hope Lodge earlier this week - hope the flowers don't freeze (from Facebook)

Old Economy Village has reopened for the season, so the Centennial activities are getting started. A changing exhibit and a full slate of programs and activities are planned to mark 100 years of the commonwealth's ownership of the site. Among the events planned is "Descendants' Days," a multi-day program for descendants of Harmony Society members and the hired workers who were also part of their community. The program is being offered in partnership with the Harmony Museum in Harmony, PA, the first home of the Harmony Society (Economy was their third and last).

"Touch of Class," the newest resident of the barn at Pennsbury Manor, recently arrived from the Standardbred Retirement Association's Adoptahorse program

For more pictures of horses at historic sites (and lots of other beautiful things), check out photographer Jennifer MacNeill's latest pix from Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum.


Although the weather did not fully cooperate, the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum's first Community Day event was still quite successful (some photos). The trail hikes and the guided walk on the Sustainable Forestry Trail fell victim to snow and frigid temps, but demos in the logging camp and the displays by various community organizations in the Community Room went ahead (with some adjustments). Between 400 and 500 people were in attendance (many checking in via Facebook). All in all, a great day to introduce more people to the new building and its award-winning exhibit.

Last week was #MuseumWeek on Twitter, with museums all over the world taking part. Sean Adkins pulled together the PHMC Trails of History tweets on Storify, so you can see them all in one place if you weren't following along.

The Pithole Visitor Center (which is administered by Drake Well Museum) posted the following photo on their Facebook page this week. It was taken by intern Josh Long last summer at a vintage baseball game that was part of the Pithole 150 celebrations. Pithole invites you to spot the time-traveling object in the photo (comment on their FB page).

NEW INFO: A heads-up for those of you who have followed the Museum Dance-Off organized by "When You Work at a Museum" - this year's voting starts Monday, April 18. There were lots of entries, so voting in round one will be fast and furious (a detailed schedule and more car movie references on Tumblr). Can't wait! BREAKING NEWS: productivity across the museum-loving world will plummet as When You Work At A Museum is now posting the videos ahead of the start of voting. Sorry.

8 Reasons I Heart History This Week

Please be sure to visit the February program page to see what's up on the Trails of History. Fort Pitt Museum and the Railroad Museum of PA will be open on Presidents Day (Mon., Feb. 15); all other Trails of History sites will be closed.

When I think of Valentine's Day, I think about my sweetie. And then I think about sweets (really, it's true). Somerset Historical Center has some great programs and exhibits related to maple sugaring, historically and currently important to life and commerce in Somerset County (and elsewhere in Pennsylvania as well). They were recently featured on the cover of Pennlines magazine (published by the Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative) and will be part of a maple-themed tour March 12-13, with lots of maple-related activities (and maple kettle corn, oh my).

They're already tapping maple trees at Somerset Historical Center (via FB)

Or check out an article from Lancaster Online about a recent hearth cooking class at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. The article has lots of pictures of the sweets and savories baked by the students in the museum's outdoor bake oven.

And we can't talk about Valentine's Day and sweets without talking about chocolate! At least I can't. For Charter Day, March 13, Daniel Boone Homestead will host presenters from Mars Chocolate Company's American Heritage Chocolate program. So, okay that's a month from now. You might want to get some chocolate to tide you over. A number of sites on the ol' TOH sell American Heritage Chocolate in their museum stores. Just a thought.

I ran across a personals ad earlier this week: "Museum of lumber history ISO loveable bear that disappeared from parking lot. No questions asked. Just want you back." Seriously, though. The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum posted on Facebook this week looking for information about a large fiberglass statue of Smokey Bear that was unceremoniously chainsawed from its base (cut off at the ankles, actually) more than 35 years ago. At the time of the theft, there were no leads. The museum staff are hoping that through the power of social media, they may be able to turn up some clues. They'd like to at least know what happened to the statue, even if it's not recoverable.

In the "Romance of Ruins" department (my motto: anything for a theme), RoadsideAmerica.com posted an article about Historic Pithole City earlier this week (or maybe reposted, since the director quoted in the piece retired several years ago). To grossly oversimplify, Pithole was an oil boomtown that sprang up and disappeared in the space of a few years. It is part of the Trails of History and is under the care of Drake Well Museum. If you can stand the cold, they're hosting a sledding party tomorrow (2/13), assuming there has been enough snow (if not, it will be moved to Feb. 20, so check ahead). UPDATE, 2/12/16: it's just going to be toooooooo cold tomorrow, so the sledding party is postponed until Feb. 20.

Did you ever write the initials of your latest "crush" on the book cover of your math textbook? No? It's just me? Well, in 1835 16-year-old Amanda Degall embroidered the name and initials of her main squeeze, Matthew B. Rodgers, on a sheer muslin fichu (shawl) that is now in the collection at the State Museum of PA. Read more (including the sentimental lines Amanda also embroidered) and see photos on this week's PA Treasures feature.

And two non-Trails of History items, just because...

PA Museums tweeted a link to the Franklin Institute's Nerdy Valentines for 2016. Very cute (and there's a Ben Franklin electricity one, so that's history, too). It made me wonder if any history museums had created anything similar, but I wasn't able to find anything with a quick Google search. I did find some non-museum history-themed and very funny (some of them anyway) valentines, but they were NSFT (Not Safe for Trailheads). UPDATE 9:30 AM: Thanks to the folks at Washington Crossing, who shared the New York Public Library's Presidential Valentine Card page on FB.

Things are gearing up for Museum Dance Off 3: Tokyo Drift, a music video contest run by the wonderful folks at the "When You Work at a Museum" tumblr. To find out more about submitting a video or to mark your calendar to start viewing and voting on entries in April, visit the contest page. You can watch the official trailer for last year's contest on YouTube. I'm including this because I love Museum Dance Off almost as much as I love chocolate (but not nearly as much as I love my sweetie).

It's going to be very cold this weekend, campers. So whether you're snuggling up with a loved one, a favorite pet, or your Netflix subscription (or all three), stay warm and think about the Trails of History!

News from All Over

Spring seems to have given way to summer already, at least for the time being. I'm headed to Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's annual Herb & Garden Faire today. I go almost every year, because 1) I love it and 2) I've managed, as usual, to kill most of the plants I bought last year. I'm every garden center's best friend. Anyway, I've rounded up some items of interest (I hope) to share this week. The list of upcoming programs was in last week's post, so if you're looking for something to do this weekend, you'll find lots there.

Herb & Garden Faire, Landis Valley, 2013 (I think - photo by AKF)

As part of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Pithole, PA, an oil boomtown near the site of Drake's well, the folks at Drake Well Museum (who oversee the remains of the town) have planned a full program of events this summer. The visitor center (profiled in the Trailheads column in the summer issue of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine) will be open on weekends, starting June 6 with "Wildcatter Day." One of the quirky features of the big day is a Look Alike contest - visit the photo album on Facebook to see if you or someone you know looks like one of the Pithole residents pictured. More info on the contest is available in the Titusville Herald.

You may have already heard that there is a direct link between one of this year's Pulitzer Prize winners and the PA Trails of History, but if you haven't here it is. Julia Wolfe's "Anthracite Fields," a choral work commissioned by The Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, recently won the Pulitzer for music. Wolfe researched life and work in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania, visiting many locations in the area, including our own Anthracite Heritage Museum. You can read more in an Associated Press story, including quotes from AHM's Barbara Powell, who attended the work's premiere last April.

I'm really late in sharing this one. At the end of March, Chris Rosenblum of the Centre Daily Times wrote an interesting piece about the lecture series at the Pennsylvania Military Museum, formally known as the Friends' [of PMM] Richard Koontz Memorial Lecture Series. Rosenblum interviewed WWII pilot John Homan, who was the featured speaker for April's program, and museum educator Joe Horvath about the value of sharing and capturing the stories that are so much a part of our history. You can find more info about upcoming lectures and programs on PMM's website.

Next Friday, May 15, Eckley Miners' Village will receive its new PHMC Historical Marker. Eckley turned 160 last year and the new marker provides the public with a brief history. The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 2 pm.

May 15 is also the grand reopening of the PA Lumber Museum and its new core exhibit, with a ceremony scheduled for 10 am. In next week's post, I'll share some behind-the-scenes photos of the run-up to this much-anticipated event. Stay tuned.

Is it Spring Yet?

This week's post is a compilation of things as we plunge ahead into winter. We've been pretty fortunate here in southcentral Pennsylvania so far, but it's supposed to be reeeeeaaaallyy cold the next few days. So we'll start off with something to keep you warm.

Bonfire from last weekend's sledding party at Pithole (photo from Drake Well Museum's Facebook page)

Most sites on the Trails of History will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents Day, but Fort Pitt Museum and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open and waiting for your visit.

Speaking of the Railroad Museum, in honor of the Museum's 40th birthday this year, staff are looking to borrow items from members of the public that serve as mementos or souvenirs of past visits. The items will be displayed during this anniversary year and then returned to their generous owners (more info based on the Museum press release).

I attended the Winter History Class last week at Ephrata Cloister and heard a fascinating talk about the Amish (their religious roots and their contemporary lives) as well as a presentation on postcard views of Ephrata. I always enjoy the talks and the interesting discussion and questions from the class participants (a very knowledgeable, curious, and thoughtful group). While I was on site, I caught this photo of a hawk that landed on the fence as I was walking in from the parking lot.

When you're having a bad day, just think about the poor squirrel in this photo.

The February program listings include events happening this weekend and the rest of the month. But I missed a few:

• Anthracite Heritage Museum, Black History Month program, Feb. 22, 2 pm (the museum will show the film Miles of Smiles, Years of Struggle, which chronicles the history of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters)
• Bushy Run Battlefield, Lecture, Feb. 14, 1 pm (Joe Merenda and Beth Kennedy will present "Gender Roles of the Iroquois")
• Graeme Park, Volunteer Recruitment Breakfast, Feb. 21, 10 am (more info and RSVP details) UPDATE 2/15/15: due to impending weather, this event will be rescheduled

I hope you have a great weekend, stay warm, and (if you're celebrating) a happy Valentine's Day.