Museum Selfie Day 2023

Several Trails of History sites participated in this year's Museum Selfie Day, posting photos of staff in their natural habitats. It's a fun day and a chance to see some of the people who make our sites such great places to visit. Here are a few of our Trails of History selfies.

From left, Lauren, Dodie, and Juliette with the Tahoe steam engine in the Railroad Museum of PA's Rolling Stock Hall (photo via RMP Facebook page)

You can join Planetarium director Linda to learn more about the night sky next week (photo via State Museum of PA Facebook page)

PA Lumber Museum curator Josh took this selfie with original timbers from the U.S. Brig Niagara while he was helping with a collections move at the Erie Maritime Museum (photo via PA Lumber Museum Facebook page)

Up Next

Please note that Ephrata Cloister will be closed Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22.

Today, January 20

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us as we talk to Jeff Jumper, Resiliency Program Manager with the Bureau of Recovery at the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), to discuss some of our weather normal and some of our extremes. From tornadoes to floods, we’ll take a look through the Pennsylvania weather almanac. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Saturday, January 21

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read Supertruck by Stephen Savage and uncover how this truck saves the town from the big snowstorm. For ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (StoryTime info).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Jennifer Janofsky, director and public historian at Red Bank Battlefield, and Wade Catts, principal archaeologist with South River Heritage Consulting, will present a program on recent excavations at Fort Mercer and Red Bank Battlefield Park. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online (Rev Speaker Series tickets).

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Use the giant map of PA to find the real locations that inspired the Mammal Hall diorama scenes. Included in regular admission (Mapping Mammal Hall info).

• Anthracite Heritage Month Program (in-person); 2-3:30 pm; PA Anthracite Heritage Museum
• Presentations include "The Reopening of the Brooks Mine in Nay Aug Park, Scranton" and "Mine Equipment Restoration." Refreshments will be served (Anthracite Htge Month Pgm info).

Sunday, January 22

• Knox Mine Disaster Commemoration (virtual and in-person); 2-3:30 pm; PA Anthracite Heritage Museum
• Anthracite Heritage Museum staff and staff from several museums in Wales will discuss Welsh and American coal heritage. The program will also include music and a display of mining memorabilia. Attend in person (22 Bald Mountain Rd., Scranton), join via Zoom (link to join Zoom), or watch live on AHM's Facebook page (Knox Mine Disaster program info).

Tuesday, January 24

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Jan. 24, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be a few quiet spaces in the galleries if you need a break. Severl historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours 1/24 tickets).

Wednesday, January 25

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about the groundhogs in Pennsylvania and their legendary role in predicting the weather. Build an aneroid barometer to make predictions at home. For grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium director to explore the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events coming up in the next month. Planetarium tickets are in addition to regular admission and may be purchased at the Ground Floor Info Desk (Stargazing program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Tour of the GP30 (virtual); Tuesday, Jan. 31, 10-10:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• This interactive virtual program is geared to grades K-6 and will provide a behind-the-scenes view of spaces inside the locomotive. Admission is by donation (GP30 Tour info and tickets).

• Winter Academy (virtual); Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30-7:30 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Photographer and retired biology teacher Jeffrey Hall will present a virtual program, "Birds of Venango County," sharing facts and stories about the birds we all know, highlighting some of the birds that are "specialties" of Venango County, and introducing some of the rare birds that visit the county only occasionally (Winter Academy 2/9 info and registration).

• Rails & Ales 2023 (in-person); Saturday, April 1, 5:30-9 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Taste craft beers among the museum's world-class collection of historic trains in Rolling Stock Hall. Must be age 21 or older to attend; photo ID required at the door. Advance tickets only; VIP tickets tend to sell out quickly (ticket options, including designated driver tickets).

The Week Ahead

This is an update to last week's post to add some notes. The weather forecast looks grim as I write this (on Thursday), but you never know. Depending on what's happening in your part of the state, please check to make sure sites are open and events are going on as planned. Most Trails of History sites will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, but (weather permitting) the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open that day.

1896 Watercolor of Brook Trout by Sherman Foote Denton (via Wikimedia Commons)
See PA Lumber Museum listing below to learn more

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 19: Knox Mine Disaster Program—this annual program marks the anniversary of the Knox Mine Disaster (Jan. 22, 1959), when the Susquehanna River broke through the roof of the River Slope Mine, killing 12 miners. Click "interested" on the Facebook event page to get updates on the event. 2-5 pm. (Info on this and other Anthracite Heritage Month activities.)

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Jan. 22: Revolutionary Dining Series—artist Adrian Martinez will present "The Facts Remain the Same, Only the Meaning Changes: Picturing the Battle of Brandywine for the 21st Century" and discuss his latest series of oil paintings, oil sketches, and drawings which serve as the groundwork for his current project depicting the largest land engagement of the American Revolution, the Battle of Brandywine, and its immediate aftermath (details on Facebook event page). Program is held at The Gables at Chadds Ford. Cost is $50 per person (cash bar available); tickets are available online via Brandywine's website. 6-9 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Jan. 24: Storytime at the Maritime—guest reader Emmanual White from U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie will read A Lighthouse Saves the Day, which highlights the importance of lighthouses and the work of the Coast Guard. Program is free for members of the museum's Little Mates Kids Club. Nonmembers pay $5, or you can join for $12 to enjoy all the other programs coming up. 10-11 am.

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

Old Economy Village
OOPS, MY MISTAKE: this program happened last weekend and I goofed. OEV is hoping to get the program up on YouTube and I'll share a link when it's available. Jan. 19: Lecture—Univ. of Pittsburgh professor Dr. Bryan Hanks has been using various forms of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to investigate the Harmonist Cemetery in Ambridge. He will discuss the cemetery, his research, what he has learned about Harmony Society burial practices (more details). Lecture is free. 2-3:30 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Jan. 19: Film Screening—the museum, in cooperation with Trout Unlimited (TU), the Tioga County Conservation District, and Mansfield University, will host a screening of the documentary film Stories from the Fountain: A TU Native Brook Trout Odyssey. The film explores the connection between Pennsylvania's forests and the health and well-being of our trout streams. Admission to the film is free. 1 pm.
Jan. 20: Eclipse Viewing Party—BREAKING 1/18: due to impending weather and PennDOT's request that folks stay off the roads Sunday, this event is cancelled. Stay safe, everyone! there will be a lunar eclipse tonight and you can view it from the museum grounds. Pre-eclipse events will begin at 9 pm and eclipse viewing will start at 11 pm (details of program schedule on Facebook event page). The skies in this part of PA are especially dark and folks are very knowledgeable about nighttime photography, so this is one not to miss. UPDATE: if you're planning to attend, please call the museum (814/435-2652) to register; that way they have your contact info if the weather decides not to cooperate.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Jan. 19: Discussion—museum educator Joe Horvath will lead a discussion on the topic, "A Brief History of War and Consequences - 20th Century," exploring the evolution of military and political conflicts. Program is free. 10 am.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 21: Museum open—the museum will be open today for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (the museum is closed the other Mondays in January). 9 am-5 pm.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
January Planetarium Shows—full list of programs and times is on the website.
Jan. 18: Learn at Lunchtime—special showing of the museum's new planetarium show, Faster than Light! The Dream of Interstellar Flight. Appropriate for grade 6 and up. Regular fees apply. 12:15 pm (doors close promptly).

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for info on this month's programs and schedule.

Trails of History Events, Jan. 11-24

The January program page will take you all the way to the end of the month. Here's what's happening in the next couple of weeks. Please note that most Trails of History sites will be closed on Jan. 21 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.

Also, the Pennsylvania State Archives Research Room remains closed to the public through January 12; staff will be at the PA Farm Show providing access to free genealogy searches via Ancestry.com. Last week's post includes info on PHMC at the PA Farm Show (thru Jan. 12).

Wednesday, Jan. 16, is Museum Selfie Day! Share your favorite museum selfie using the hashtag #MuseumSelfie and, please, also tag the museum where you took the photo. Learn more @MuseumSelfieDay on Twitter.

State Museum of PA archaeologist Jim Herbstritt with admirers of the dugout canoe at 2019 PA Farm Show (via Facebook)

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 19: Knox Mine Disaster Program—this annual program marks the anniversary of the Knox Mine Disaster (Jan. 22, 1959), when the Susquehanna River broke through the roof of the River Slope Mine, killing 12 miners. Click "interested" on the Facebook event page to get updates on the event. 2-5 pm. (Info on this and other Anthracite Heritage Month activities.)

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Jan. 22: Revolutionary Dining Series—artist Adrian Martinez will present "The Facts Remain the Same, Only the Meaning Changes: Picturing the Battle of Brandywine for the 21st Century" and discuss his latest series of oil paintings, oil sketches, and drawings which serve as the groundwork for his current project depicting the largest land engagement of the American Revolution, the Battle of Brandywine, and its immediate aftermath (details on Facebook event page). Program is held at The Gables at Chadds Ford. Cost is $50 per person (cash bar available); tickets are available online via Brandywine's website. 6-9 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Jan. 13: Fireside Tales—gather around the fire in the Wayside Lodge to hear a tale, "Fiona's Lace," and enjoy cookies and cocoa (more info on Facebook event page). Dress for the weather. Suggested donation of $2 per person. 2 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
UPDATE 1/23/19 - unfortunately this event has been cancelled Jan. 24: Storytime at the Maritime—guest reader Emmanual White from U.S. Coast Guard Station Erie will read A Lighthouse Saves the Day, which highlights the importance of lighthouses and the work of the Coast Guard. Program is free for members of the museum's Little Mates Kids Club. Nonmembers pay $5, or you can join for $12 to enjoy all the other programs coming up. 10-11 am.

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

Old Economy Village
Jan. 19: Lecture—Univ. of Pittsburgh professor Dr. Bryan Hanks has been using various forms of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to investigate the Harmonist Cemetery in Ambridge. He will discuss the cemetery, his research, what he has learned about Harmony Society burial practices (more details). Lecture is free. 2-3:30 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Jan. 19: Film Screening—the museum, in cooperation with Trout Unlimited (TU), the Tioga County Conservation District, and Mansfield University, will host a screening of the documentary film Stories from the Fountain: A TU Native Brook Trout Odyssey. The film explores the connection between Pennsylvania's forests and the health and well-being of our trout streams. Admission to the film is free. 1 pm.
Jan. 20: Eclipse Viewing Party—there will be a lunar eclipse tonight and you can view it from the museum grounds. Pre-eclipse events will begin at 9 pm and eclipse viewing will start at 11 pm (details of program schedule on Facebook event page). The skies in this part of PA are especially dark and folks are very knowledgeable about nighttime photography, so this is one not to miss. UPDATE: if you're planning to attend, please call the museum to register; that way they have your contact info if the weather decides not to cooperate.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Jan. 19: Discussion—museum educator Joe Horvath will lead a discussion on the topic, "A Brief History of War and Consequences - 20th Century," exploring the evolution of military and political conflicts. Program is free. 10 am.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 21: Museum open—the museum will be open today for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (the museum is closed the other Mondays in January). 9 am-5 pm.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
January Planetarium Shows—full list of programs and times is on the website.
Jan. 17: Curiosity Kids—visit Nature Lab to learn about SLIME! Geared for ages 3-6 with an adult, this program is included in general admission. 11:30 am.
Jan. 18: Learn at Lunchtime—special showing the museum's new planetarium show, Faster than Light! The Dream of Interstellar Flight. Appropriate for grade 6 and up. Regular fees apply. 12:15 pm (doors close promptly).

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for info on this month's programs and schedule.

Random Acts of History, January Edition

The January program page will take you through the middle of next week. Then the February page takes over.

Some weeks there's a theme, some weeks [shrug]...

L to R: Ephrata Cloister Curator Kerry Mohn, Site Administrator Elizabeth Bertheaud, Historical Society of Dauphin County Board Secretary and Facilities Chair Ruthann Hubbert Kemper, Office Manager Courtney Inblum, and Executive Director Christine Turner (via Facebook)

This past week, a large (I mean, person-sized) rye straw basket made its way home from Harrisburg to Ephrata. It had lots of help from the staff of the Historical Society of Dauphin County (HSDC), where it had been living, and Ephrata Cloister, where it has now taken up residence. The basket's history traces back to the Gorgas family, prominent householders in the Ephrata community (they weren't living with the celibate brothers and sisters of Ephrata but worshipped and conducted business with them). Many thanks to HSDC for this important donation.

Kerry Mohn shows the newly returned basket to attendees of this year's Winter History Class (more photos of first class of 2018 and full list of this year's sessions)

Last weekend, the Anthracite Heritage Museum marked the 59th anniversary of the Knox Mine Disaster with a program that included speakers Bob Wolensky, Erika Funke, and David Brocca and musician Lex Romaine (see a preview of Brocca's forthcoming documentary film). I'm told it was standing room only for this annual event, which remembers the 12 miners who died when the Susquehanna River broke through the roof of their mine and the 69 others who escaped.

PHMC marker gets its closeup (photo courtesy Karen Arnold)

This one's really random. Wednesday night's episode of The Goldbergs (a sitcom set in 1980s Jenkintown, PA) ended with a shot of a PHMC historical marker. If you're not familiar with the show, it's based on creator Adam Goldberg's childhood in the Philly suburbs (and my sources tell me it's extremely accurate). In the show, the Goldberg kids attend William Penn Academy (complete with a mascot wearing a huge William Penn head). The vanity card at the end of Wednesday night's episode (actually a pilot for a 1990s spinoff that wasn't picked up) showed a photo of the historical marker for William Penn Charter School, which Adam Goldberg attended. The text of the marker reads: "Founded by Philadelphia Quakers in 1689 and first chartered by Penn in 1701, it was Pennsylvania’s first public school and is the oldest continuously operating Friends school in the world. Pioneering educational initiatives were based on public charity and inclusion: free tuition to the poor, education for both genders, and acceptance of all races. Quaker roots and Penn’s vision have been maintained. It moved to the present site in 1925." You never know what you'll learn watching tv.

Even more random. With an eye toward starting a "This Day in History" feature for this blog (sometimes you just have to shake things up a bit) I was trolling around for Pennsylvania history-related events or what-have-you for January 26. On different websites, I found separate but interestingly (to me, at least) juxtaposed items related to Chubby Checker, who grew up in Philadelphia (and appeared on American Bandstand there). On Jan. 26, 1962, Chubby Checker's mega-hit "The Twist" fell out of its #1 spot on Billboard's "Hot 100." On the same day, according to the interwebs, Bishop Burke of Buffalo, NY, declared the song "impure" and banned it from Catholic schools in his diocese. Also on this day, Benjamin Franklin expressed unhappiness over the eagle as America's symbol (1784) and General George McClellan ignored President Lincoln's General War Order #1, which called for a Union offensive (1862).

That's it. Have a great weekend!