Music, Gardens, and More

Enjoy lovely scenery and beautiful music at Ephrata Cloister this Sunday (photo via Ephrata's Facebook page)

Please note that the Pennsylvania State Archives Search Room will close to the public on Monday, May 22, to allow staff to make final preparations for their move to the new State Archives facility on North Sixth St. in Harrisburg (online and mail services were suspended earlier this month). The Search Room and other archival services will resume in the fall at the new facility.

I hope your weekend and the coming week are restful, fun, exciting or whatever else you need them to be. Check out the event listings below for ideas. And a heads-up - most Pennsylvania Trails of History sites will be closed on May 29 for Memorial Day. Next week's post will include info on sites that will be open.

Up Next

Today, 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).

Saturday, May 20

• Oil Creek 5 & 13 Stacked Trail Races (in-person); 7 am-Noon; Drake Well Museum and Park
• This unique trail race starts and finishes at Drake Well and uses the Gerard Hiking Trail in Oil Creek State Park. Options to run a 5-mile race, a 13-mile race, or both (DWM Trail Race details).

• Herb and Native Plant Faire (in-person); 9 am-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• This event is held in conjunction with Remake Learning Days and will feature plant and plant product vendors, food wagons, and an "Ask the Master Gardener" booth staffed by Master Gardeners from Northumberland and Montour Counties. Heirloom plants and vegetables from Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum's Heirloom Seed Program will be available for purchase (JPH Herb and Plant Faire info)

• Sail to Steam Saturdays (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• The Museum welcomes the International Guild of Knot Tyers for demos of knot tying, knot art, rope making, and more. Included in regular admission (Sail to Steam program info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read What Grandma Did by Erin Miller with illustrations by Randall Harmon, the story of a little girl who learns her grandmother was a pilot during World War II. Learn about the role the museum’s Piper aircraft played in training pilots and try creating your own plane. For ages 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (StoryTime info).

Sunday, May 21

• A Celebration of Service: Honoring Pennsylvania's Veterans (in-person); Noon-2 pm; PA Military Museum
• U.S. Army Reunion and memorial service sponsored by the Pennsylvania National Guard commemorating Pennsylvania’s Citizen Soldiers with a military band and ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 12:30, heavy equipment will be on the Museum lawn before the ceremony weather permitting. The public is welcome to visit and join in the commemoration honoring the 28th Infantry Division (Celebration of Service program info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The grass is green, and the cows are being milked. The cooks will demonstrate 17th-century recipes using dairy products. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking program info).

• Spring Concert (in-person); 3-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform works by founder Conrad Beissel and Sister Foben, recognized as one of America's first female composers, as well as choral works by other religious groups of early America, including Moravian, River Brethren, Shaker, and African-American traditions. The museum will open at noon with free admission. The orientation video will be shown at 12:30 and there will be a cake and beverage reception from 1 to 3 (Spring Concert info).

Wednesday, May 24

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month. Purchase general admission and Planetarium tickets at Ground Floor Desk at least 5 minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

Thursday, May 25

• PHMC Archival Grant Webinars (virtual); 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); 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.

Friday, May 26

• Star Party (in-person); 8-10 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• The Homestead is hosting the Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society. Society members will set up telescopes for visitors to use and will share information about light pollution, contrast, and sky mechanics. Start and end times are approximate (DBH Star Party info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• Art in the Garden: Botanical Drawing Workshop (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Outdoor art for all skill levels. This guided drawing workshop will focus on plants in the kitchen garden. Materials provided. Registration required $35/non-members $30/members. Call 215/946-0400 to register (Art in the Garden workshop info).

• 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

Happy Birthday, PA!

Please join us this Sunday in celebrating Pennsylvania's birthday with free admission at participating Trails of History sites. See listing below for details and a few examples of special activities planned at sites. Remember that Daylight Saving Time starts at 2 am on Sunday; you wouldn't want to miss out on the fun if you forget to turn your clocks ahead an hour (the ones that don't do it on their own, that is).

The switch from winter to spring schedules continues, so be sure to check ahead before making your plans to visit.

As part of the birthday celebration, ShopPAHeritage.com is offering 10% off all PHMC titles now through March 31.

Up Next

Today, March 10

• Original Pennsylvania Charter on Display (in-person); today through March 17; The State Museum of PA
• PA's 342-year-old Charter is written on parchment using iron gall ink. 51 weeks a year, the State Archives preserves the document in a high-security vault, shielding it from strong light and environmental fluctuations. In honor of PA's birthday, the Charter will be on display at The State Museum (included in regular admission) March 10-11 (10 am-4:30 pm), March 12 (Noon-4:30 pm), March 15-16 (10 am-4:30 pm), and March 17 (10 am-1 pm) (Charter display info).

Saturday, March 11

• Maple Taste & Tour Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• In conjunction with the Somerset County Maple Producers Association, SHC will be open free of charge Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, with activities centered on maple sugar and syrup production (Maple Taste & Tour info).

• Reading on the Rails (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Guest readers will share stories among the historic trains at 10:30, 11, 11:30, 1:15, 1:45, 2:15, and 2:45. Kids can also pick up a cardboard suitcase and decorate with stickers they collect at each reading. KPETS therapy dogs will be on site, and of course, all of the museum's regular exhibits will be ready for viewing. Included in regular admission (Reading on the Rails info).

• Daily Life in Colonial PA (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover hands-on objects that explore daily life in colonial Pennsylvania. Try your hand at carrying water, churning butter, cooking meals and playing with period toys and games. Included in regular admission (Colonial Life info).

Sunday, March 12

• Participating PA Trails of History sites will be open free of charge during their regular Sunday hours (PHMC press release has list of sites). Some sites are also planning special activities; here's a selection:
• Daniel Boone Homestead: loads of activities, food trucks and concessions, and a chance to see the Bertolet Sawmill in operation (weather permitting)
• Drake Well Museum & Park: grand opening of a new temporary exhibit, PA Oil: Racing Into the 21st Century
• Eckley Miners' Village: Dr. Philip Mosley will talk about his book, Telling of the Anthracite, at 2 pm and Van Wagner, heritage musician, will perform at 3
• Graeme Park: first 100 visitors get a free cupcake
• Joseph Priestley House: celebrate Dr. Joseph Priestley's birthday as well as Pennsylvania's
• Pennsbury Manor: please bring a non-perishable food item for the site's food drive
• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum: there will be a cooking demo in the recreated lumber camp with homemade apple fritters to sample
• The State Museum of PA: staff from the PA State Archives will be on hand to answer questions about the 1681 Charter and timed tickets will be issued for the Planetarium and Curiosity Connection (if you can't visit in person, check out these virtual Charter Chats from 2021 on YouTube).

Tuesday, March 14

• All About Slag (hybrid); 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Mike Weber will provide a comprehensive overview of slag, including what it is, how it's produced as part of the iron-making process, its characteristics, and why it is so important. Attend in person (Freeman Hall at Cornwall Manor) or online (register for Zoom). Program is free, but donations are appreciated.

Wednesday, March 15

• Homeschool Program (in-person); 10-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Archivist Brett Reigh will discuss the history of the original 1681 Penn Charter and the research resources available at the Pennsylvania State Archives. Explore the process used to create the document, such as iron gall ink, quill pens, parchment paper and block printing, and then create your own document using similar techniques. Registration is required (Homeschool registration link).

Thursday, March 16

• Winter History Class (virtual); 9 am-noon; Ephrata Cloister
• This course runs every Thursday through March 30. Today's presentation is "From Tabernacle to Cloister: Georg Conrad Beissel and Johannes Kelpius in Early Pennsylvania" with Tom Carroll, Independent Scholar. If you have not already signed up for the full series, you can attend single sessions via Zoom only (Winter History Class registration options).

• Wisdom & Wine (in-person); 5:30-8 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Dr. Sherri A. Mason will present "Plastic Paradox." Admission charged. Lecture is at 6:30. Doors open at 5:30 for socializing and wine tasting from Brokenstraw Valley Winery (Wisdom & Wine info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Mar. 18, Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Bradley Smith, archivist and assistant director of the Berks History Center, will present "Dr. Bodo Otto: The Patriot Surgeon of Pennsylvania," who at the age of 65 volunteered his services as a surgeon to the Continental Army. Tickets available starting Feb. 25 (3/18 tickets via Eventbrite).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, Mar. 24, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Mark Hand, director, and Matt Reis, deputy director, will provide an overview of Pennsylvania's GreenGov Program and its climate goals for state agencies. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

• Rails & Ales 2023 (in-person); Saturday, Apr. 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 are sold out (ticket options, including designated driver tickets).

• Easter Egg Hunt (in-person); Sunday, Apr. 2, Noon-3 pm; Old Economy Village
• Children age 10 and under are invited to hunt for Easter eggs in the village and visit with the Easter Bunny. The event is free, but you must register in advance (Egg Hunt info and registration).

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

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

• Pennsbury Manor (Pennsbury camp info)
• Colonial Camp Week (ages 6-8), July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm

Celebrating Pennsylvania's Birthday

The original 1681 Charter - Pennsylvania's Birth Certificate

PHMC traditionally offers free admission to Pennsylvania Trails of History sites as part of Pennsylvania's birthday celebration. This year, that free admission day will be on Saturday, September 24 (watch PHMC social media and this space in September for list of participating sites). There are virtual activities and on-site programs this weekend exploring multiple themes in Pennsylvania's history, so why not celebrate with us?

Don't forget that Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday at 2 am. If you have clocks that don't reset themselves, turn them ahead one hour so that you don't miss the fun. And if the weather is iffy, please check ahead with the site you plan to visit (social media is usually the most up-to-date). PLEASE NOTE: Saturday's forecast is affecting some site schedules. Be extra careful and check before you go.

Monday, March 14, at noon EDT is the last chance to cast your vote in USA Today's Top 10 History Museums poll. You can vote once a day until then. Twenty museums are on the ballot, and our own Erie Maritime Museum has been sitting in the Top 10 (during the last days of voting, USA Today stops showing the leaderboard). Please take a few minutes to cast your votes (vote for Erie Maritime Museum). Thank you for your support.

Photo via Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum website

Up Next

Today, March 11

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

Saturday, March 12

• Reading on the Rails (in-person), 10 am-4 pm, Railroad Museum of PA
• Story readings for kids will take place every 45 minutes (1st one at 10:15 am, last at 3:15 pm). Lots of activities as well, including travel stickers, Catcher the Cow, and KPETS therapy dogs. An American Sign Language interpreter will be part of each story reading. Included in regular admission (Reading on the Rails info).

• Maple Taste and Tour Weekend (in-person), 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday, Somerset Historical Center
• SHC is one of 20 stops on this year's tour, offered in cooperation with the Somerset County Maple Producers Assn. Admission is free and there will be maple-related activities both days (Maple Taste info).

• Friends Lecture Series (in-person) 2-3:05 pm, PA Military Museum
• Today's talk explores the Truman Doctrine, marking the 70th anniversary of a pivotal policy that impacted two periods of conflict. Donations welcome (Friends Lecture info).

Sunday, March 13

• Pennsylvania Day (in-person), 10 am-4 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
• Celebrate Pennsylvania's birthday and learn about Bushy Run's place in state history. Children's activities will be offered, and William Penn will make an appearance (PA Day info)

• Living History! (in-person), noon-4 pm, Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Today is the site's biggest living history event of the year. Learn about the French and Indian War and the skills of 18th-century life from demonstrators and volunteers. Donations welcome (Living History! info)

• Community Day (in-person), noon-4 pm, Daniel Boone Homestead
• Tour the Boone House and other structures, watch the Amity Colonial Dancers (and join in if you like), and take part in kids' activities and games (Community Day info).

• Exhibit opening (in-person), noon-4 pm, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Enjoy the museum's latest changing exhibit, Pennsylvania Germans: Their Lives in Color, which includes painted furniture, textiles, clothing, fraktur, ceramics, and more. Included in regular admission and open during regular business hours until the end of the year (exhibit info on LVM website).

• Founder's Day (in-person), 1-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
• Celebrate Pennsylvania's birthday at William Penn's country estate. Craft demonstrations, including beer brewing, tours of the Manor House, and more. Admission is $3 at the door (Founder's Day info).

• Joseph Priestley's Birthday Celebration (in-person), 1-4 pm, Joseph Priestley House
• Costumed docents will be on hand throughout the house as you tour on your own. Dr. Priestley will offer chemistry demos in the Pond Building at 1:30 and 2:30. A new exhibit on Dr. Priestley's friendship with Ben Franklin will be unveiled (Priestley's Birthday info).

• Charter Chats (virtual), 1 and 2 pm, PA State Archives
• Archivist Josh Stahlman will explore the story of Pennsylvania's Charter in honor of our 341st birthday. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Charter Chat info and registration).

Wednesday, March 16

• Charter Chat (virtual), noon, PA State Archives
• Archivist Josh Stahlman will explore the story of Pennsylvania's Charter in honor of our 341st birthday. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Charter Chat info and registration).

Thursday, March 17

• Winter History Class (virtual), 9 am-noon, Ephrata Cloister
• Today's topics are "Then and Now: The Ephrata Cloister in Photos" and "Identifying and Preserving Nineteenth-Century Photos." If you did not register for the 9-week course, you can attend today's session via Zoom for $10 (Winter History Class registration).

• Wisdom & Wine Series (in-person), 6:30-8 pm, Drake Well Museum & Park
• Tonight's topic is "Dressmaking: Civil War Fashions and Sewing Machines in the 1860s. Cost for the lecture is $5. There will be a wine-tasting happy hour at 5:30 (separate $5 fee). Registration is required (Wisdom & Wine info and registration).

Friday, March 18

• Charter Chat (virtual), noon, PA State Archives
• Archivist Josh Stahlman will explore the story of Pennsylvania's Charter in honor of our 341st birthday. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Charter Chat info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

The Week Ahead

This week's post highlights upcoming virtual events on the Trails of History. If you're planning further ahead, please visit the PHMC Events Calendar. The Trailheads Rec Room to the right of your screen has examples of online offerings available whenever you need a break from your routine.

I've loved Cornwall Iron Furnace's fall foliage posts - this one shows the Roasting Oven bathed in golden light (roasting oven was used to remove sulfur from iron ore) - photo via Facebook

 

In the week ahead, Trails of History sites will be hosting a variety of virtual programs on a wide range of topics. I bet you can find at least one to help you weather the pre-Thanksgiving lull.

On Nov. 17 at 7 pm (EST), Old Economy Village will join with two other Harmonist-related sites for a new quarterly program exploring the history of the Harmony Society. The Harmony Museum (Harmony, PA) celebrates the Harmony Society's first communal settlement and New Harmony, Indiana, preserves the history of their second. Economy was the third and final community settled by George Rapp and his followers. Learn more about the program and register to receive the Zoom link by visiting the Facebook event for "The Harmonist Connection."

Wednesday, November 18, brings two programs for those looking for a midweek break. At noon, the Pennsylvania State Archives will present "Caring for Artifacts and Objects," the latest in their Community History Dialog series. The 90-minute workshop, led by Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums curator Rachel Yerger and Railroad Museum of PA collections manager Dodie Robbins, will discuss ways to handle, clean, and store your important family and/or community artifacts. Visit the PA State Archives webpage to learn more about the series and to register for the Zoom link.

That evening from 7 to 8:30 pm, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will transform their popular "Trains & Troops" event into a virtual program exploring how World War II changed the railroad industry, how railroads aided the war effort, and the effect that railroads had on civilian life on the homefront. Tickets are by donation; you can register by visiting the Eventbrite page.

Replica oil derrick at Drake Well Museum & Park (photo via Facebook)

 
On Thursday, November 19 from 7 to 8 pm, join staff from Drake Well Museum & Park, Erie Maritime Museum, and the Pennsylvania Military Museum for "Revolution! How Black Gold Transformed the Military." The program will explore the oil industry's intersection with the U.S. Civil War up through the 20th century and beyond. The program is free (donations are welcome), but you must register to receive the Zoom link. Visit the Facebook event for more info and ticket link.

What November Brings

Please visit the PHMC Events Calendar for info on upcoming programs on the Trails of History (mostly virtual). Check out the Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen for online offerings available whenever you need them.

Voting machine used in Lebanon County, 1950s-60s (via State Museum of PA Facebook page)

As I write this on Thursday afternoon, votes are still being counted and the outcome of the Presidential election is not yet clear. So let's just set that aside and think about some of the other things going on this month. Any objections? I didn't think so. (But please join me in thanking all the poll workers, voters, and vote counters who did their part for democracy this week.)

Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day, a time to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. As you probably know, the Pennsylvania Military Museum's mission is to honor and tell the stories of Pennsylvanians who have served, so be sure to visit their Facebook page or their blog to learn more about the objects and related stories from their collections, covering all periods of American colonial and national history. The other sites on the Military History Trail and the State Museum of Pennsylvania relate the stories of specific conflicts and military service, as well. Commonwealth of PA resources for veterans and active duty military are available on the web.

November is Native American Heritage Month. If you want to learn more about Native American history and heritage, the National Museum of the American Indian has all kinds of online resources, including a section on Thanksgiving that presents indigenous perspectives on the holiday. There's also a Facebook page devoted to Native American Heritage Month and you can learn more about land acknowledgments at native-land.ca.

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Ephrata Cloister is participating in #Museum30, sharing a post each day to illustrate a variety of themes and topics. If you aren't already following them, find them on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

  

The deadline to nominate a state historical marker is December 1. For information and guidelines on submitting a nomination, visit the State Historic Preservation Office marker page, where you'll also find a recording of a recent webinar that provided tips for success.

Upcoming Events

• You may have heard that the 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show will be mostly virtual this year (and if you hadn't heard, I'm so sorry to be the one to break the news). Fear not, milkshake and fried mushroom lovers (at least if you're in the Harrisburg area or are willing to travel). November 13-15 is the PA Farm Show Fall Food Fest, which will take place outdoors at the PA Farm Show Complex from 11 am to 6 pm each day.
• On Nov. 18 from noon to 1:30 pm, the Pennsylvania State Archives will host another of its Community History Dialog webinars, this one focused on caring for artifacts and objects. The webinar is designed for folks who are working to preserve their community history, but the information will be useful for those caring for family history as well. Rachel Yerger, Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums curator, and Dodie Robbins, collections manager at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, will be the presenters. The webinar is free and is offered via Zoom; you must register to get the link. To learn more about the Community History Dialog series, find a list of resources, or watch recordings of previous programs, visit the Archives webpage.

Some Good News

View from the Webber Cabin on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (see Facebook album for more autumn beauty)

We were very pleased to learn this week that PHMC's recent grant proposal to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has met with success. We were awarded $246,500 in federal CARES Act funds to design, produce, and deliver new digital learning resources to support individuals and groups affected by COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. A staff steering committee will work with outside advisors to make sure that what we produce meets the needs of educators, people experiencing access barriers, and other underserved audiences. Each site will have a professionally produced virtual tour that can be the basis for other digital program offerings. We'll also develop regional hubs for digital equipment, and staff will receive training to enhance their digital program skills. This project will allow us to build on the work that our sites have already begun as a result of the COVID-19 closures and expand our reach throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the world. Pennsylvania History to Go, as the initiative is called, was one of three projects in Pennsylvania to receive funding. Overall, IMLS received 1,701 applications for the IMLS CARES Act grants, requesting $409,251,399, and funded 68 projects nationwide for a total of $13.8 million. We had our first steering committee meeting this week and are ready to get started. (As some of you may remember, we are in the midst of another IMLS-funded project, Accessibility Excellence, that was awarded last fall. We are now two for two. Not that we're bragging. Okay, maybe a little.)

Lots of History, All Month Long

October seems to be a big month for history and history-related celebrations. In honor of American Archives Month, staff from the Pennsylvania State Archives will take part in Ask an Archivist Day (#AskAnArchivist) on Wednesday, October 7. Watch PHMC's social media for more information on that and to follow along. (Oct. 7 is also the Archives and Records Management Seminar - visit the Archives website for details and to register.)

Other notable celebrations this month:

• National Hispanic Heritage Month (thru Oct. 15)
• LGBTQ History Month
• National Arts & Humanities Month
• Family History Month

The Week Ahead

• Oct. 2 (that's today!), noon-1 pm, The State Museum of Pennsylvania: this year's Workshops in Archaeology program is a virtual speaker series, "The Delaware Indians: Then and Now." If you missed today's event, there are three more talks, Oct. 9, 16, and 23. The series is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Facebook event has details).
• Oct. 3, 1-3:30 pm, Railroad Museum of PA: Model Railroading Day is virtual this year. Ryan Kunkle, director of production for Lionel (and former museum staffer), will tell you what you need in your model railroader's toolkit. Museum volunteer Doug O'Brien will talk about the museum's Pennsylvania Railroad Middle Division HO scale layout and what it takes to maintain this complex display (Doug was honored as Volunteer of the Year several years ago for his work with the Middle Division layout). Tickets are by donation; you must register to get the Zoom link.
• Oct. 6, 7 pm, Pennsbury Manor: museum educator Mary Ellyn Kunz will host a live orientation via Zoom for teachers and parents who want to learn more about Pennsbury's virtual field trip program. Contact Mary Ellyn, mkunz@pa.gov, to sign up.
• Oct. 8, 7-8 pm, Ephrata Cloister: this month's Ephrata Academy program is "'Room Enough for Them All': The People of Lancaster County in the 18th Century." Museum educator Michael Showalter will explore the diversity of early residents, based on tax records, church histories, travel accounts, local histories, and family traditions. The program is free, but you must register to get the Zoom link to watch it live (it will be recorded and available on YouTube later). Check the website for details.

Well, that was August, I guess

The September program page is now available and will be updated as events are added. For online activities available 24/7, check out the Trailheads Rec Room (to the right of your screen).

August has been a blur, and I guess that's not unusual. But we're all dealing with some degree of upheaval and disruption, some of us more than others (I realize what an understatement that is). The Commonwealth of PA website has gathered mental health resources, if you're looking for some help with coping.

Life on the Trails of History continues - it's mostly online, but it continues. This has been a big week for anniversaries and commemorations.

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

Normally, Drake Well Museum and Park marks Drake Day (the anniversary of the first successful oil well) with an onsite program the weekend closest to August 27. Recent years have included a 19th-century traveling circus, with a glimpse of life in the oil region, and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's "Spinosaurus Encounter," exploring the geology of the oil fields. This year's Drake Day featured an online presentation by museum curator Sue Beates, who recounted the history of the industry that started at Drake's well and the development of the museum.

A new monument in Harrisburg honors the Old 8th Ward, a predominantly Black and immigrant neighborhood that was removed to make way for what is now the Capitol Complex, home to (among many other state agencies) The State Museum of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Archives, and PHMC's headquarters offices. The monument dedication was held on Wednesday to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment. (In 2015, one of PHMC's Keystone Interns wrote a guest post for Trailheads about a walking tour that included part of the Old 8th Ward.)

Yesterday at the Capitol Complex, we dedicated a monument honoring the city’s Old 8th Ward. This diverse and densely...

Posted by Governor Tom Wolf on Thursday, August 27, 2020

Last week's post (and the week before) included news about the commemoration of the 19th Amendment, which opened the way for women to vote. With the 100th Anniversary on Aug. 26, a number of sites posted in honor of the day, also known as Women's Equality Day.

The ratification of the 19th Amendment became official on August 26, 1920, but what came next? Following Pennsylvania's...

Posted by The Somerset Historical Center on Thursday, August 27, 2020

Today, on #nationaldogday and #womensequalityday, one of our research assistants decided to check out the autobiography...

Posted by Pennsbury Manor on Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The 19th Amendment and women's right to vote turn 100 years old today! We're honoring this milestone in American history...

Posted by Historic Ephrata Cloister on Wednesday, August 26, 2020

One Thing Leads to Another

We have delayed reopening PHMC's Trails of History sites, which includes The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Archives, until further notice. The July program page lists online events that you may want to check out; updates on site schedules will also be made there.

See if you can follow my train of thought (spoiler alert: it's not a long train...or a high-speed one for that matter):

Rows of archival boxes at the Pennsylvania State Archives (photo via Facebook)

On July 22 and 29 at 10 am, join archivist Josh Stahlman for free webinars on PHMC's Historical and Archival Records Care (HARC) Grants. Stahlman, grants manager for the HARC program, will provide a brief overview of eligibility and guidelines and offer tips for a competitive proposal. Questions will be answered throughout the presentation. Register online for either date.

In early June, the Science History Institute partnered with the American Philosophical Society to present "Deciphering the Past: An Introduction to Transcription." The webinar provided an overview of transcription projects going on around the country. It also explored issues related to transcribing historical documents and the nuances of different types of documents. It includes a transcription exercise near the end. Whether you're actually transcribing or not, there are some useful tips for deciphering manuscript documents. The webinar lasts about an hour - you can watch it below or go directly to YouTube at your leisure.




This spring Sarah Buffington, curator at Old Economy Village, posted a call for volunteers on Facebook to help with a data entry project. OEV has typewritten lists of Harmony Society correspondence that had been compiled over the years, but they needed help entering the information so that it can be searched and sorted by staff and other researchers. Sarah tells me that the Facebook post garnered several volunteers, who have worked on the project remotely during the COVID-19 closures. Thanks to these volunteers, the amount of work still to do has been greatly reduced. Kudos!

Excerpt from Old Economy Village list of Harmony Society correspondents (photo via Facebook)

The Science History Institute identified their transcription webinar as being part of a new social media initiative called Museum Survival Kit, which seeks to share the skills and knowledge that museums and historic sites preserve and interpret and show their relevance to the challenges we currently face (the tagline for the project is "Our Ancestors Knew Some Stuff"). If you're interested in learning more or contributing to the kit, visit the Museum Survival Kit website or find them on Twitter (@MuseumKit) or search hashtag #MuseumSurvivalKit on Facebook or Twitter.

Trails of History sites are actively engaged in researching, preserving, and sharing historical knowledge with audiences of all ages. The pandemic has interrupted public programming and school visits, but the work continues. I'm inspired every day by my PHMC colleagues who are so dedicated to helping people connect to the past in tangible ways that can lead to greater insights.

Here's an example of a program for younger audiences from Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara:

And because it's Friday, a little something from Pennsbury Manor for the over 21 set: a demonstration of 17th-century beer brewing and a conversation about historic and contemporary beer, breweries, and brewing. Enjoy!

We're Always Open for History

The June program page has information on the status of Trails of History sites and lists some virtual programs. It also contains a full list of links to Trails of History Facebook pages so that you can continue to enjoy our digital offerings. You'll also find some of those offerings in the Trailheads Rec Room (see links in the sidebar to the right of your screen); new material is added weekly so that you can see the most recent examples.

Although most of our sites' interactions with the public are online at the moment, they're still finding plenty of ways to share traditional activities and connect history to our current moment. Here are some of my favorites from the past week or so.

Pennsbury Manor's sheep got their summer haircuts this week (photo via Facebook)

Remember haircuts? At least the sheep on the Trails of History are ready with their summer looks, even if the rest of us mostly are not. Pennsbury Manor (above) and Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (below) documented their activities.


Graeme Park shared some exciting new historical discoveries about what happened to Henry Hugh Fergussson after he left Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson on her own to deal with accusations of loyalty to the British during the American Revolution. I've shared one of the posts below, but there's more on their Facebook page.


In light of the History Channel's new documentary, Grant, the Pennsylvania Military Museum blog reflected on events happening 160 years ago.


Periods of high unemployment have happened before in the U.S. Ephrata Cloister shared an artifact from the Museum Extension Program that was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression.


The launch got pushed off until tomorrow (May 30) due to weather concerns, but Drake Well Museum & Park's connection is just as relevant as it was on Wednesday.


Staff at Old Economy Village have used their time working from home to delve further into the history of the site. Recent posts (like the one below) have shed light on individual members of the community and on the Harmonists' interactions with other communal societies.


State Archivist David Carmicheal shared one of his favorite images from the collections and gave some tips on close-looking at details. That's a great way to spend a rainy weekend.

What Time is It? Farm Show Time!

Last week's post has info on Trails of History events through Jan. 10, and the January program page has info for the rest of the month.

It's the week after New Year's, and you know what that means. The gyms are packed, the produce department is depleted, and everybody's being extra nice. But it also means Pennsylvania Farm Show Week!!! Where you can eat your weight in fried mushrooms and potato donuts (it's tradition) while exploring the latest in farm machinery and learn about new developments in agricultural science and so much more (see visitors guide for all the details). Not to mention the butter sculpture!

PHMC staff and volunteers will be at the Farm Show highlighting the agency's many program areas. The popular Historical Marker scavenger hunt will explore food- and agriculture-related markers (download Scavenger Hunt brochure to get you started). The archaeologists will be there with their replica dugout canoe and lots of info on their work. Staff from the Pennsylvania State Archives will assist show-goers with free genealogy searches as part of PHMC's partnership with Ancestry.com. (PLEASE NOTE: the Archives Research Room will be closed January 5-12 so that staff can be at the Farm Show.)

Be sure to visit with representatives from The State Museum of Pennsylvania and talk to staff from the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation about the benefits of membership. (If you're attending the Farm Show from out of town, don't forget that there's a free weekday shuttle to the Capitol Complex in downtown Harrisburg so that you can visit The State Museum of PA.)

You'll find all of these wonderful folks in Booth #687 and #688, in Main Hall East near the Maclay Street side of the Farm Show Complex (that's also where the butter sculpture is displayed).

Hank and Hunter at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (via Facebook)

On Wednesday and maybe Thursday, you'll find Hank and Hunter, a pair of Black Clydesdales from Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, competing with other draft horses in New Holland Arena and/or the Equine Arena (check the schedule for times).

To plan your visit to the Pennsylvania Farm Show, check the Tips and Maps page. To keep in touch via social media, follow PA Farm Show on Facebook or #PAFarmShow and #PAFS19 on Twitter.

I'll try to add PHMC updates to this post as the week progresses (in between slurps of chocolate milkshake).

What's Up?

Planning ahead for events later this month? Check out the October program page. I've listed some of this weekend's events below, but there's plenty more between now and the end of the month. And if you're trying to gauge the best time and place for leaf peeping in PA, DCNR's fall foliage reports will help you work it out.

L to R: Pennsbury Society president Ron Schmid, Gov. Tom Ridge, Gov. Tom Corbett, Gov. Tom Wolf, Gov. Mark Schweiker, PHMC Chair Nancy Moses, Pennsbury Manor site administrator Doug Miller (via Facebook)

I'm a little late on the follow-up, but two weeks ago Pennsbury Manor hosted a luncheon and panel discussion in honor of the 300th anniversary of William Penn's death. The event was the culmination of Pennsbury's exploration of Penn's legacy during this anniversary year. Gov. Tom Wolf kicked off the luncheon with remarks on Penn's impact. Former governors Tom Corbett, Ed Rendell, Mark Schweiker, and Tom Ridge reflected on their terms in office and the responsibilities of following in Penn's footsteps (former Gov. Dick Thornburgh sent written remarks). It was, by all accounts, an impressive gathering and an excellent example of mixing history and contemporary issues (Bucks County Courier Times online article includes video).

The Pennsylvania Military Museum was recently featured in a post on the Getaway Mavens blog, which compiles "entertaining and eclectic" ideas for weekend trips in the northeastern US, with an emphasis on unique destinations. Their take on the greater State College area noted that the museum is small but "engaging and well-designed" and that walking the grounds is a great way to get some fresh air and "pay your respects to our lost soldiers."

On board the Lettie G. Howard, September 2018 (photo AKF)

The Lettie G. Howard, which spent this summer and early fall providing day sails out of the Erie Maritime Museum, recently went through the Welland Canal en route to a maintenance stop in Maine. The Flagship Niagara League posted video on their Facebook page showing a time lapse view of the Canal locks. The Lettie, which is in Erie under a collaborative program agreement with the South Street Seaport Museum in NYC, will then sail down the east coast of the US to Florida for the winter. Come spring the schooner will return to Erie for another summer of sailing. This arrangement has meant that visitors to the museum get to see a tall sailing ship even when U.S. Brig Niagara is away touring the Great Lakes. Visit the website for more info on the east coast trip and opportunities to participate.

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, the PHMC and the PA Dept. of General Services will host a meeting to update the public on plans for the new Pennsylvania State Archives building, currently in design. The new building will be located on a 3-acre lot bounded by Sixth, Seventh, Harris, and Hamilton Streets in Harrisburg. Staff from the two state agencies responsible for the project will provide a progress report, answer questions, and listen to community feedback. The event will begin at 5:30 pm and will be hosted by Camp Curtin YMCA, 2135 N. 6th St., Harrisburg.

This weekend...

LVM broom maker Genevieve Pallas shows Shelby Vaccaro from Lancaster Newspapers how it's done (via Facebook)

Hope Lodge
October 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
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 (please note that the event is rain or shine and there are no refunds for online tickets). 11 am-5 pm.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 13: Multiple activities—there will be a Gardening Class, Beer Tasting, and a Sip and Paint evening. Times and fees vary; please click on individual activities for details.

Pennsbury Manor
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.

Ask an Archivist and A Look Back at September

The October program page is now available. Events and programs coming up this weekend (where did September go?) are listed below. Also, please note that as we move further into autumn, some site schedules change seasonally, mostly affecting which days of the week the site is open. Please be sure to check ahead before visiting.

Ask an Archivist 2018

On Wednesday, October 3, join four archivists from the Pennsylvania State Archives as they test their knowledge on Twitter. Kurt Bell, Rich Saylor, Aaron McWilliams and Tyler Stump will take part in Ask an Archivist Day. Sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, Ask An Archivist offers the public the opportunity to connect directly to archivists in their community. Archivists around the country will respond to questions tweeted with the hashtag #AskAnArchivist. Questions will vary widely, from the silly (What do archivists talk about over lunch?) to the practical (How do I preserve records that were damaged in a flood?) Ask an Archivist Day is open to everyone - all you need is a Twitter account. To participate, just tweet a question to @PHMC and include the hashtag #AskAnArchivist in your tweet. Our archivists will see your question instantly. Here’s our schedule:

• 10-11 am: Richard Saylor will share his research into the unusual records he's discovered within the collections of the State Archives
• 11 am-noon: Kurt Bell will focus on Pennsylvania's railroad history, especially the records held by the Pennsylvania State Archives and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
• 1:30-2:30 pm: Aaron McWilliams will answer your questions regarding genealogy and family histories. Ask Aaron about the celebrities, such as Katey Sagal and Steve Buscemi, who have visited the Archives
• 2:30-3:30 pm: Tyler Stump will share his knowledge regarding the Pennsylvania State Archives' institutional records, particularly those from mental institutions and prisons

Looking Back at September

Battle of Lake Erie commemoration with U.S. Brig Niagara (left) and schooner Lettie G. Howard (right) in background (photo Linda Bolla)

On September 10, Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara hosted their annual commemoration ceremony for the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. The battle, a pivotal event of the War of 1812 that took place off of Put-in-Bay, Ohio, is interpreted through the museum's exhibits and through tours and sailing experiences on board Niagara.

The annual Battle of Lake Erie commemoration includes a wreath placed into the water, this year off the Museum plaza (photo Linda Bolla)

Cornwall Iron Furnace offered cast iron cooking demonstrations on Sept. 22, with several members of their Friends group showing their skills. Cast iron was one of the primary products of the furnace, along with bar iron used by forges in the area. Find more photos on Cornwall's Facebook page.

Part of the cast iron cooking demonstration at Cornwall earlier this month (via Facebook)

Hungry yet? How about this recent photo of the bake oven at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum?

See more yummy food and other seasonal products at Landis Valley's Harvest Days event, Oct. 13-14 (via Facebook)

And while we're on the subject of food (I consider wine one of the essential food groups), Old Economy Village just reopened the historic wine cellar on the property after a restoration project (more photos on Facebook). You can check it out for yourself at Erntedankfest: A Harvest Festival, Oct. 6-7.

Friends of Old Economy Village enjoy a members-only preview of the restored wine cellar beneath the Mechanics Building (via Facebook)

This weekend...

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Sept. 28: Fundraiser—Cooper's Seafood House in Scranton hosts a charity night on the last Friday of every month, and this month Anthracite Heritage Museum gets 100% of the proceeds. Details on the restaurant's website. 5-8 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Sept. 29: Fall Nature Walk—Bushy Run volunteers and nature enthusiasts will lead a tour to help you learn about the local flora and fauna on the grounds. Cost is $5 (free for members). 10 am.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Sept. 29: Heritage Day—all kinds of activities will take place throughout the site. Cooking, baking, dancing, magic, and much more (details on the calendar of events.) Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Sept. 29: Something More Saturday—family-friendly craft activities are included in regular admission today (check the Facebook event page for more info). Blacksmithing demos will also be offered. 10 am-3 pm.

Graeme Park
Sept. 28: Homeschool Day—activities include tours of the Keith House, open-hearth cooking, colonial games, and typical chores (program info). Cost is $6 per person; students must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 10 am-2 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Sept. 29: PA Governor's Panel and Luncheon—PLEASE NOTE that Pennsbury will be closed to visitors 9/29 to allow for this event: current governor Tom Wolf and several former Pennsylvania governors will discuss the challenges of leading the commonwealth established by William Penn. A 3-course lunch will be served. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go toward establishing the "William Penn Scholarship Fund" for Title I schools. Tickets may be purchased online through TicketLeap. More information on the program, group tickets, and sponsorships is available on the Pennsbury website. 1-4 pm.
Sept. 30: Meet the Animals—visit with some of the animals that make Pennsbury their home. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Sept. 29: Members Day—a full slate of activities and speakers is planned for Friends of the Railroad Museum (and it's not too late to join). Full info on the website.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please check the Planetarium page for program schedule.
Sept. 28 & 30: Mammal Hall activities—today (9/28), there's Curiosity Kids: Walk Like the Animals! and Make Your Own Paper Diorama at 11:30 am. On Sunday (9/30), celebrate the rededication of Mammal Hall, marking its 50th anniversary, with activities starting at 12:30 pm. General admission is $5 per person today through Sunday.