Saying Goodbye to 2022

Clockwise from upper left corner: Ephrata Cloister, Pennsylvania Military Museum, Pennsbury Manor, and Eckley Miners' Village

This will be the last new Trailheads post for 2022, so I want to wish everyone a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season. I hope that 2023 brings only good things for you and the people you care about. As always, I have been inspired this year by my colleagues on the PA Trails of History, who continue to bring Pennsylvania history alive, from the tried-and-true to innovative new programs. Whether working directly with the public or behind the scenes, PHMC's staff and volunteers make me proud to be part of such a great team.

The listings below cover the next two weeks, so please be sure to check ahead to make sure the schedules haven't changed, especially if weather is a factor. Please note that most Trails of History sites will close at 1 pm today (12/23) (UPDATE: due to weather some are closed entirely today) and next Friday (12/30) and be closed Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1. There are a few exceptions, so check with specific sites before heading out. Also, winter schedules are now in effect at some sites, meaning reduced hours or closures.

And if you're looking for a non-holiday movie, The Pale Blue Eye (R-rated), which was filmed in part at Old Economy Village (as well as other historic sites and state parks in western PA), opens today for a limited run in theaters before heading to Netflix streaming on January 6. Check out the trailer on IMDb to see if it's right for you (content note: it's a murder mystery set in the 19th century and includes suspected suicide).

Up Next

Today, December 23

• Art of the State Stroller Tour (in-person); 10:30-11 am; The State Museum of PA
• Fine arts curator Amy Hammond will lead a 30-minute tour of Art of the State 2022 for children in strollers or front carriers and their grown-ups. At the same time, museum staff will provide activities for older kids in Village Square, adjacent to the exhibit gallery. Included in regular admission (Stroller Tour info).

Tuesday, December 27

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be quiet spaces in some of the galleries. Several historic trains will be open for viewing, with staff on hand to answer questions. Last entry is at 10:30 am. Admission is $7 and advance tickets are required (Sensory Hours info and tickets).

• Lantern Tours (in-person); today thru Friday, Dec. 30, 6-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• This theatrical style program is led by the Student Historians, local high school students who take on the roles of people from history as the story unfolds in selected historic buildings. This year visitors will join Mrs. Fahnestock as she plans the wedding of an Ephrata Sister and a young man working for the Brothers. This light-hearted look at the past will provide enjoyment for the entire family. Advance tickets are required, and some timeslots are already sold out: $12 for adults, $9 for ages 6-17 (Lantern Tours info and tickets). PLEASE NOTE that Ephrata Cloister will not be open for tours Dec. 27-30, the site will open only for the Lantern Tours evening programs.

Wednesday, December 28

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; 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 (Mapping Mammal Hall info).

Thursday, December 29

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• What different types of portraits do artists create? What can a portrait tell us? Explore the 2022 Art of the State exhibition and learn about portraits. Create a mixed medium self-portrait to take home. For grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Friday, December 30

• Noon Year's Celebration (in-person); 10 am-1 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Ring in 2023 a little early with hands-on activities, crafts, and the dropping of the Firefly at noon. Included in regular admission (member and military discounts apply). There will be timed tickets for Curiosity Connection, and tickets for the Planetarium will be $3 (Noon Year's info).

Tuesday, January 3

• Simple Machines and the Railroad (virtual); 10-10:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• This interactive virtual program is geared to grades K-6 and will explore how simple machines make tasks easier alone and in combination. Admission is by donation (Simple Machines info and registration).

Thursday, January 5

• Drake Well Winter Academy (virtual); 6:30-7:30 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Mitch Littler will present "In Your Blood," a talk focused on his first-hand experiences as an oilfield worker in northwest PA. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (email Drake Well Museum to register).

Friday, January 6

• 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 snow storm. For ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission. This program will also be offered on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 10:30 am. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (StoryTime info).

Sunday, January 8

• Twelfth Night (in-person); 4-7 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Enjoy a traditional English celebration with music, refreshments, and lantern light. Dr. Priestley will conduct chemistry demos in the Pond Building at 4:30 and 5:30. Admission is free (Twelfth Night info and updates).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Homeschool Program (in-person); Wednesday, Jan. 11, 10-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Curators Dr. Curt Miner and Bob Hill will talk about the early 20th-century transition from "Horse Power to Gas Power" and how it's similar and different from current changes in transportation energy. Experiment with power sources by making a wind-powered car. Registration and pre-payment are required (Homeschool Program registration).

• Workin' on the Railroad (virtual); Tuesday, Jan. 17, 10-10:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• This interactive virtual program is geared to grades K-6 and explores a variety of railroad jobs through artifacts, photographs, and activities. Admission is by donation (Workin' on the Railroad info and tickets).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Jan. 21, 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).

• 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).

Festive History

A festive Christmas pudding at Daniel Boone Homestead's event last weekend (photo via DBH Facebook page)

 
The past couple of weeks have been filled with holiday programming on the Trails of History. There seems to have been plenty of pent-up demand after last Christmas season when everything was cancelled or online (although I would like to note that Ephrata Cloister received a Leadership in History award from the American Association for State and Local History for their 2020 virtual holiday pivot). The chance to see historic sites by candle and lantern light has been a tremendous draw, and a lack of serious winter weather has helped attendance. There are still some in-person and virtual holiday programs to come, so please check out the listings below. As always, it's a good idea to check ahead by visiting websites and Facebook pages to be sure there's been no change in plans. Trailheads staff (that is, me) will be away from Dec. 23 through the new year, so the info below likely won't get updated. Please see below for information on site schedules during the coming weeks.

This year, Christmas at the Cloister was presented in person (photo via EC Facebook page)

All sites on the Trails of History (well, except Washington Crossing, which is run by DCNR) will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Most of our sites will also be closed on Dec. 24 and 31; Fort Pitt Museum and Somerset Historical Center will be open on both "eves," and The State Museum of Pennsylvania will be open 9 am to 1 pm those days. Here are some other holiday schedules that I'm aware of:

• Bushy Run Battlefield will be closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 7, then open Saturdays and Sundays only until spring
• Daniel Boone Homestead will be closed from Dec. 20 through March 13 (Charter Day)
• Old Economy Village will be closed from Jan. 1 through March 13 (Charter Day)
• Graeme Park will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 6
• Already closed until spring: Conrad Weiser Homestead, Hope Lodge, Joseph Priestley House (except for Twelfth Night event Jan. 9)

Be sure to check specific sites that you want to visit and remember that some are on reduced schedules for the next few months.

The parlor of the George Rapp House at Old Economy Village (photo via OEV Facebook page)

The Week Ahead

Saturday, December 18

• StoryTime (in-person): read An Early American Christmas by Tomie dePaola; The State Museum of PA; 10:30-11:30 am; for kids ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Meet Belsnickel (in-person): meet the grumpy, fur-clad version of Santa Claus familiar in PA German culture; Old Economy Village; 11 am-1 pm; cost is $5 per person (child or adult), and snacks are included (Meet Belsnickel info)

Tuesday, December 21

• Exploring PA German Christmas and New Year's Traditions (virtual): Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum; 7-8 pm; program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Virtual Program info and registration)

Wednesday, December 22

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the changing of Fall to Winter and how it affects plants and animals in PA; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Explore! info)

Thursday, December 23

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): discover holiday traditions, decorations and toys from the 1950s and 60s; The State Museum of PA; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission; space is limited (Curiosity Kids info)

On Sale Now (as of 12/15; some programs will sell out)

• Lantern Tours: Dec. 27-30 at Ephrata Cloister learn about the site's history through living history tours and performances; advance tickets required (Lantern Tour info)
• Winter Day Camp: on Dec. 29 from 9 am to 4:30 pm Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will present a day camp for kids in grades 5-11; the focus is Christmas Around the World and includes a themed escape room; cost is $60 per camper ($54 for members); Dec. 17 is the last day to register (Day Camp info and registration)
• Rails and Ales: enjoy an evening of craft beer among the museum's historic trains at the Railroad Museum of PA, April 9, 2022, 5:30-9 pm; must be 21 or older to attend; variety of ticket options, including designated driver tickets (Rails and Ales tickets)

Happy Holidays from Trailheads

From all of us here at Trailheads HQ, thanks for your interest in the Pennsylvania Trails of History. We look forward to sharing our historic sites and museums with you throughout 2020. The info below will take you through Christmas and New Year's Day. Please be aware that all Trails of History sites are closed on both holidays, with the notable exception of Washington Crossing and their reenactment on Christmas Day. Please be aware that many sites will close early on the eves and some may have other holiday-related schedule adjustments. If you're planning beyond the beginning of the year, the January program page is available for your perusal.

Brandywine Battlefield Park in the snow (photo via Facebook)

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Dec. 27-29: History for the Holidays—there will be a different focus each day, giving you a chance to delve deeper into the life of an 18th-century soldier (12/27), medical practices of the 18th century (12/28), and the aftermath of the Battle of Brandywine (12/29). Check out the Facebook event page for details. Included in full admission. Fri. and Sat., 9 am-4 pm; Sun., noon-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Dec. 28: Something More Saturday—enjoy family-friendly activities and learning added to the museum's regular offerings – today’s focus is “Hands-on Oil Labs.” Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Dec. 26-29: Lantern Tours—explore Ephrata's immigration history with help from Student Historians and theatrical presentations throughout the grounds. Tours leave from the visitor center every half hour from 6:30 to 8 pm. Admission: $10 (adults), $9 (seniors), $7 (students), $5 (children); members receive a discount. Reservations are required and tickets do sell out; call 717/733-6600 to reserve your spot.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on and schedules. Fort Pitt will be closed during the month of January for collections inventory and exhibit maintenance.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Dec. 27: Winter Day Camp—explore favorite holiday songs and literature with a fun-filled morning of activities (more info on the website. $35 per child, $30 per child for LVA members. Registration is required, and space is limited; call the museum's education department at 717/569-0401 x208. 8:30 am-12:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the planetarium webpage for info on shows and schedules.
Dec. 30: Noon Year’s Celebration—the museum will have special Monday hours to ring in 2020 a little early. Check the website for all the details, including admission rates and timed tickets for the Planetarium and Curiosity Connection. 10 am-2 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the WCHP events page for details on the annual crossing and other events.

PA Trails of History Events, Dec. 28-Jan. 10

Happy New Year to all of our loyal Trailheads readers - and everyone else, as well. All Trails of History sites will be closed on Jan. 1. Please be aware that many sites are closed on Mondays, so they won't be open on Dec. 31; if they are open at all, they may close early.

And don't forget: for a few more days, through December 31, the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation (PHF) and The State Museum of Pennsylvania are offering a "Buy One Get One Free" membership deal. Renew, rejoin, or join, and you can gift a free membership of equal or lesser value to a friend, family member, or co-worker. Memberships included in this offer are Heritage, Individual, and Family (visit PHF website for details or to purchase online). All categories of membership include free regular admission to sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History. (Please note, the gift membership must be for individuals or families who have never held a membership with PHF or The State Museum previously.)

We hope that 2019 will be a healthy and productive year for all of you. The January program page will get you further through the month, but here's what's coming up in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy!

UPDATE: Please note that the Pennsylvania State Archives Research Room will be closed to the public January 5-12; staff will be at the PA Farm Show providing access to free genealogy searches via Ancestry.com.

A giant firefly dropping from the ceiling of Memorial Hall, next to the statue of William Penn, will be part of The State Museum's Noon Year's Celebration today, Dec. 28 (photo Jeni Ashton)

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Through Dec. 29: History for the Holidays—explore a different theme each day and help dispel the winter blahs (details on Facebook). Included in regular admission. Site open 9 am-4 pm, with special programs at 11 am and 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Dec. 29: Something More Saturday—enjoy family-friendly activities and learning added to the museum's regular offerings (watch the Facebook event page for details). Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Through Dec. 29: Lantern Tours—explore Ephrata's history with help from Student Historians and theatrical presentations throughout the grounds. This year's program asks the question, "What Would the Neighbors Think?" and will examine the Ephrata community's role among the many religious faiths found in Lancaster County. Visitors will be invited to share their opinions of the historic community as well. Tours leave from the visitor center every half hour from 6:30 to 8 pm. Admission: $10 (age 18-64), $9 (age 65+), $7 (age 6-17), $5 (age 3-5); members receive a discount. Reservations are required and tickets do sell out; call 717/433-6600 to reserve your spot.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Starts Jan. 5: Winter Sail Training—these FREE classes are designed to provide training in many of the basic skills necessary to sail a tall ship. Takes place on Saturdays from January through March during ship maintenance hours where crew work to repair and maintain parts of NIAGARA. Open to ages 14+. This is a great way to complete community service hours! Email volunteer@flagshipniagara.org to sign up. 9:30 am-3:30 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Jan. 1-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.

Joseph Priestley House
Jan. 6: Twelfth Night—glimpse the Priestley family’s life in Northumberland with a taste of the English customs they remembered. The house will be decorated as an English country manor, costumed docents will be on hand, and there will be chemistry demonstrations and children’s games. Free admission. 4-7 pm (chem demos in the Pond Building at 4:30 and 5:30 - space is limited for those, get tickets at the visitor center).

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the planetarium webpage for info on shows and schedules.
Dec. 28: Noon Year’s Celebration—ring in 2019 a little early at this program designed for younger children and their families. Crafts, dancing, and a planetarium show, plus the big countdown in Memorial Hall at noon. Included in general admission. Timed tickets for Curiosity Connection will be limited. Regular rates apply for planetarium shows. 10 am-1 pm (Curiosity Connection closes at 2 pm).
Jan. 4: StoryTime—this month's program features Best in Snow by April Pulley Sayre. Program is designed for children ages 3-5 with an accompanying adult. Included in general admission. 10 am.
Jan. 10: Nature Lab—use science activities to explore SNOW! with the museum's education staff. Geared for visitors age 7 and up. Included in general admission. 11:30 am.

Holiday Schedules on the Trails of History

The information below is accurate, to the best of my knowledge, as of Dec. 21, 2017. It is always advisable to check ahead when you make plans, to be sure the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there. This is especially true in the winter when holidays and weather events can disrupt the regular schedules.

On behalf of everyone here at Trailheads HQ, I hope you have a chance in the coming week to spend time with family and friends, enjoy some quiet reflection, or maybe a little of both. If you are traveling, I wish you safe and easy roads, rails, and skies.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATED 12/28/17: Many sites will be closing early today, Dec. 22 29, but will be open regular hours tomorrow, Dec. 23 30 (unless otherwise noted below).

The replica oil derrick at Drake Well Museum and Park (via Facebook)

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Wed-Sun)

Brandywine Battlefield Park

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: closed through mid-March 2018 except by appt)

Bushy Run Battlefield

Closed for the winter; reopens April 18, 2018

Conrad Weiser Homestead

Closed for the winter; reopens on Charter Day, March 11, 2018

Cornwall Iron Furnace

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Thurs-Sun)

Daniel Boone Homestead

Closed 12/24-25, 1/1 (winter: open Sat-Sun through mid-March 2018)

Drake Well Museum and Park

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular hours thru 12/31, Tues-Sun, then winter hours: open Sat-Sun through Feb. 28, 2018)

Dec. 30: Something More Saturday—enjoy family-friendly activities and learning added to the museum's regular offerings (watch the Facebook event page for details). 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Mon-Sun)

Ephrata Cloister

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (check website for winter hours)

Dec. 27-30: Lantern Tours—reservations are required (details on the website)

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Thurs-Sat through March 2018)

Fort Pitt Museum

Closed 12/25, 1/1 (in between, regular: open Mon-Sun. AS OF 1/1, closed for maintenance and exhibit updates, reopening Jan. 27, 2018.)

Graeme Park

Closed 12/22-25, 12/29-1/1 (regular Fri-Sun schedule resumes 1/5/18)

Hope Lodge

Closed for the winter; reopens spring 2018

Joseph Priestley House

Closed for the winter except for Twelfth Night event on Jan. 7; reopens Charter Day, March 11, 2018

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Wed-Sun)

Dec. 28 & 29: Winter Day Camp—fun stuff to chase those school vacation blues (whose?). Registration is required (details on the website)

Old Economy Village

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: closed through March 31, 2018)

Pennsbury Manor

Closed 12/24-25, 1/1 (open 12/31, self-guided tours only) (winter: closed through Feb. 28, 2018)

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sun)

Pennsylvania Military Museum

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sun)

Pennsylvania State Archives

Closed 12/23-25, 12/30-1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sat; please note that the Search Room will be closed Jan. 6-13; they'll be staffing a booth at the PA Farm Show)

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Tues-Sun)

Somerset Historical Center

Closed 12/24-25, 12/31-1/1 (winter: open Tues-Sat)

State Museum of Pennsylvania

Closed 12/24-25, 1/1 (regular: open Wed-Sun)

Dec. 29: Noon Year’s Eve Celebration—ring in 2018 a little early at this annual event (see website for details). 10 am-1 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park

Check website for updates on 12/25 Christmas Crossing Reenactment and winter schedule changes.