Summer is Flying By

Pennsbury Manor's summer camp includes opportunities to meet the farm animals who live on site (photo via Pennsbury's Facebook page)

Summer camps on the Trails of History have pretty well wrapped up as of this week, and our summer interns are beginning to wind down their assignments as they get ready to head back to their colleges and universities. (You can read a bit about some of our interns on websites and social media of their host sites: Ephrata Cloister, Drake Well Museum & Park, and Erie Maritime Museum and Pennsbury Manor.) As we head into peak summer weather, don't forget that we have air-conditioned museums and visitor centers as well as cool shade and green space to help you enjoy the outdoors without roasting (be sure to hydrate).

Up Next

Today, July 28

• A Place for All Tour (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover three stories of integration in Pennsylvania during the Civil Right movement. Hear the stories of the men and women whose courageous steps helped change our state. Included in regular admission (A Place for All Tour info).

• Returning the Wild to the Wilderness (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Thomas Keller, Furbearer Biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will share the history of wildlife loss within the Commonwealth, the legacy of rewilding, and the possibility of returning the American marten to the forests of the state. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Returning the Wild program info and registration).

Saturday, July 29

• Mapping Mammal Hall (in-person); 10-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Did you know that the dioramas in Mammal Hall are based on real locations in Pennsylvania? Locate each of these spots on the giant map of Pennsylvania and discover some interesting facts about our state mammals. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall program info).

• Garden Tour (in-person); 11 am-noon; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a tour of OEV's extraordinary gardens, learning about how the Harmonists shaped the land around Old Economy to combine aspects of medieval cloistered gardens, Germanic traditions, and American flora. Explore George Rapp's use of biblical imagery and discover its hidden features. Included in regular admission (OEV Garden Tour info).

• Highlights Tour (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Pennsylvania is the only state named for both its people and the place, “Penn’s Woods.” Discover how this relationship of people and place shows throughout the history, art, and science of the Commonwealth with a tour of featured exhibits on each floor. Included in regular admission (July 29 Highlights Tour info).

Sunday, July 30

• Animals at Pennsbury (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Meet the furry, fuzzy, and feathered inhabitants at Pennsbury and discover the important role their 17th-century predecessors played in daily life. Included in regular admission (Animal program info).

Wednesday, August 2

• State Symbols: Milk (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore why milk is Pennsylvania’s State Drink. Learn why the dairy industry is so important to our state. Test your taste buds and see if you can tell different types of milk apart. Included in regular admission (Milk program info).

• Victorian Toys & Games (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from Victorian Pennsylvania. Test your skills at Graces, unlock the mysteries of mechanical toys and play a round of Old Maids. Included in regular admission (Toys & Games program info).

Thursday, August 3

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story, then stay to explore the garden, visit the farm animals, or have a snack by the river. Admission is a $3 Grounds Pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Great-Horned Owl (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us to learn about the Great-horned Owl. Learn about its life, habitat, and the adaptations that make it a top predator. Stay to craft your own paper and feathered owl to take home. Included in regular admission (Owl program info).

• Highlights Tour (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Pennsylvania is the only state named for both its people and the place, “Penn’s Woods.” Discover how this relationship of people and place shows throughout the history, art, and science of the Commonwealth with a tour of featured exhibits on each floor. Included in regular admission (Highlights Tour info).

Friday, August 4

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Life Through Time Gallery for a reading of My Mastodon by Barbara Lowell with illustrations by Antonio Marinoni. Discover the story of the Peale family living in a museum in Philadelphia. Create your own admission ticket and souvenir. Included in regular admission (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Paleontology (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us to explore the flora and fauna in Pennsylvania from the Carboniferous Period to the present. Learn about the habitats and environments that existed long ago and get hands-on with various fossils of these extinct species. Meet in Nature Lab on the 3rd floor at 11:30 am or 1:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Paleontology Tour info).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy an evening of music, family games, tractor rides, and food trucks. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Parking is $5 per car, but there is no admission fee (First Friday program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Aug. 22, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for Aug. 8 Sensory Hours and tickets for Aug. 22 Sensory Hours).

• The Colemans and Martic Forge (hybrid); Tuesday, Aug. 8, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Jim Polczynski will present a program centered on the ownership of Martic Forge by three generations of the Coleman family (who also owned Cornwall Iron Furnace). You can attend the program in person at Freeman Hall, Cornwall Manor Retirement Community, or virtually via Zoom (Martic Forge lecture info and registration).

• Captain Vicary and Life in Beaver County (in-person); Wednesday, Aug. 16, 6-7:30 pm; Old Economy Village
• Brenda Applegate, executive director of the Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation, will present a program based on the journal of Captain Vicary, a transplanted Philadelphia sea captain who settled in Beaver County as a gentleman farmer. The program will provide glimpses into everyday life in the county as well as Vicary's interactions with the Harmonists. The program is free, but registration is required (Captain Vicary lecture info and registration).

• The "Dead" of Summer (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 19, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• Experience a reenactment of an early 20th-century seance focused on the period when many had lost loved ones to the 1918 flu pandemic or World War I and were susceptible to this form of entertainment. Tickets are limited and will be available online (Dead of Summer info and tickets).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Saturday, Aug. 26, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a private history tour of the outside tracked vehicles and discuss the history of armored vehicles with a preeminent local historian. Limited space, reservations are required. $15.00 or $5.00 with annual Museum membership. Please note that we will not be accessing the inside of the tracked vehicles, but we will walk outside on the grounds, so please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear (Exploring the Armor registration).

What's Up, December?

Please check the PHMC Events Calendar for upcoming events (I've highlighted some below). The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen will lead you to online offerings available 24/7. There's a new page this week highlighting virtual exhibits on the Trails of History.

Photo via Pennsbury Manor's Facebok page

Today, December 4

• Pennsbury Manor's "Holly Nights at Home" continues on Facebook, with video greetings and activities. The videos will remain available, so you can experience this year's virtual event on your schedule.

Recent snow in western PA, as captured at Old Economy Village (photo via Facebook)

Saturday, December 5

• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Virtual Visit with Santa and Telegram to the North Pole, 10 am-3 pm (reserve a time slot for kids to visit with Santa)
• Old Economy Village curator Sarah Buffington will introduce author Alicia Stankay before she reads from her new book, Sarah's Journey: Adventure in Old Economy Village, at the Laughlin Memorial Library and livestreamed on Facebook, 11:30 am-12:30 pm (Facebook event has details)
• Pennsylvania Military Museum, virtual lecture, Submarine Warfare - the Nuclear Age, 2 pm (register to get the Zoom link)
• Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara, Christmas Tree Ship Lighting (virtual), 5-8 pm (check the Facebook event for details)

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tribute at PA Military Museum, Dec. 7, 2019 (photo via Facebook)

Monday, December 7

• Pennsylvania Military Museum, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tribute, takes place under the guns of the USS Pennsylvania, which was present at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The event will be open to the public via Facebook this year (visit the museum's Facebook page to watch). 12:45 pm.

It snowed a bit in southcentral PA too, as seen at Cornwall Iron Furnace (photo via Facebook)

Tuesday, December 8

• Cornwall Iron Furnace, virtual lecture, Cornwall Oral History Project, 1980-1982, presented by Brett Reigh of the Pennsylvania State Archives, 7-8 pm (check Facebook event to register for Zoom link)

It's Fall?

The September program page is still up (because it's still September), and the October page is also available (and it will be updated as needed).

Photo of the George Rapp House at Old Economy Village taken from the garden by museum educator David Miller to document the roof project and a beautiful almost-Fall day (photo via Facebook)

We welcomed fall this week, not least because it helps us pin ourselves in time. And because Fall brings some beautiful changes to the landscape. I'm grateful for that in the midst of a lot of chaos and uncertainty. I'm sure that Trails of History sites will also share photos of the seasonal transformations that we see this time of year, documenting colorful leaves, autumn flowers, and the way the sunlight changes (see photo from Old Economy Village above). Be sure to follow your favorite sites on social media to enjoy these posts. Also, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides weekly updates on fall foliage around the state (visit DCNR website for updates).

Screenshot of online exhibit panel, Deck Shoes worn by E. Jackson Taylor aboard the USS Franklin

The Pennsylvania Military Museum has launched a new online exhibit, The Long Road to Victory: Heroism and Sacrifice in the Pacific, 1945. This exhibit is part of the museum's series of exhibits and programs that began in 2016 to mark the 75th Anniversary of U.S. involvement in World War II. The exhibit features 14 artifacts from the museum's collection along with the personal stories that go with them. You can find the exhibit on the museum's website (exhibit link).

This robe was worn by Clarion County native Genevieve Blatt during a career on Commonwealth Court that spanned nearly 20 years (photo via Facebook)

In response to the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg last Friday and in tribute to her role in advancing women's rights, The State Museum of Pennsylvania posted about another pioneering female judge, Genevieve Blatt. From the Facebook post: "Like Ginsburg, Blatt rose through the ranks in politics and law in an era when both were male dominated and as a judge championed women's rights. Previous to her bench appointment, Blatt had been a mainstay in Democratic Party politics and a true game changer, having been the first woman in Pennsylvania to win state wide office. As Commonwealth Court Judge, Blatt issued a precedent setting ruling that banned gender discrimination in high school sports."

Coming up in October, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be offering "STEAM on the Rails Virtual Education Program" (STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). On each of three days (Oct. 13, 20, 27), there will be four 30-minute presentations, for a total of 12 opportunities for students in grades K-6 to explore STEAM topics. In addition to museum staff, presentations will include other Trails of History program partners (Anthracite Heritage Museum/Eckley Miners' Village, Cornwall Iron Furnace, Drake Well Museum and Park, and the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum), blacksmith Frank Gillespie, and Operation Lifesaver. Registration is by donation and entitles you to all 12 presentations. The Facebook event has the registration link and session times.

Late last week, the American Association for State and Local History, which is holding its annual conference virtually this week and next, issued a statement on the role of history in a democracy. Those interested in reading it can find it on the AASLH website.

View of Pennsbury Manor garden in late summer (photo via Facebook)

I'll leave you with a link to a video posted by Pennsbury Manor this week. Jessye the gardener talks to us about hops and shows us how they are harvested from Pennsbury's garden. I knew that hops were used in beer brewing (and that's what Pennsbury's will be used for). But I didn't know they had medicinal uses and could be made into a sedative as well. You'll find the video on Pennsbury's Facebook page.

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!

Wrapping Up the Month of June

Please check the June program page for info on virtual programs happening this weekend, including Pennsbury Manor's online version of their popular Brews & Bites food and beverage event. The July program page is also available, with a preview of online programs, including virtual summer camp programs at Erie Maritime Museum and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Looking for other at-home activities? Visit the Trailheads Rec Room for ideas (links are to the right of your screen).

The Manor House at Pennsbury (left) with outbuildings (photo via Facebook, credit Leah Jeffers)

Last Friday's post shared info on numerous programs and activities scheduled to mark Juneteenth 2020. Pennsbury Manor partnered with the African American Museum of Bucks County to present an online program focused on the history of Juneteenth, the Emancipation Proclamation, and interpreting the stories of enslaved people at Pennsbury in the 17th and 18th centuries. If you missed it, the recording is available on Pennsbury's Facebook page.

Screenshot of performer and playwright Marissa Kennedy, who explained and presented a first-person interpretation of Susannah Warder, an enslaved woman born and raised at Pennsbury during the Juneteenth virtual program.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of slavery in colonial Pennsylvania, Graeme Park shared their research in a series of posts on Friday (first post is below - check Graeme Park's Facebook page for the additional posts).



June is Pride Month, and recently the PA Trails of History Facebook page shared a 2019 post from the State Historic Preservation blog looking at the history of the Stonewall Uprising (last year was the 50th anniversary), the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Pennsylvania, and several Pennsylvania sites associated with LGBTQ+ history (read the blog post). Readers might also be interested in a new book, Out in Central Pennsylvania: The History of an LGBTQ Community, by William Burton with Barry Loveland (our former PHMC colleague). The book was published by Penn State University Press, but check with the LGBT Center of Central PA for a copy.

Text reads: Hidden Knowledge at Ephrata. Special thanks to Dr. Jeff Bach for his assistance in preparing this virtual exhibit (photo via Facebook)

The staff at Ephrata Cloister have launched Hidden Knowledge at Ephrata, a new virtual exhibit exploring the multifaceted religious world view of the Ephrata community. It includes numerous sources of knowledge and philosophy and shares their impact on the belief systems of the Conrad Beissel and those who followed him. You can find the exhibit on Ephrata Cloister's website (link to exhibit).

As part of their deeper dives into Harmonist history, Old Economy Village staff recently shared a series of posts exploring literary figures who wrote about the Harmonists. While first debunking an old story that Charles Dickens had visited Economy during his American travels, they shared literary works and letters from Rudyard Kipling, Lord Byron, and Nikolaus Niembsch von Strehlenau (an Austrian poet). The Dickens post is below; visit Old Economy's Facebook page to see the others.

Celebrating Juneteenth 2020

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). 

On June 19, 1865, Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, ending Confederate control and bringing the Emancipation Proclamation into effect, ending slavery for nearly 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas. Juneteenth was celebrated by these newly freed Texans to mark the end of slavery in the U.S. and, over 150 years later, continues as a celebration of freedom. In 2019, Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation making Juneteenth a state holiday in Pennsylvania (see this year's statement from the Governor's office).

The Manor House (left) and outbuildings as seen from the nature trail at Pennsbury Manor (photo by Lynsey Lehr via Facebook)

Juneteenth on the Trails of History

As with just about everything else related to history and museums these days, Juneteenth 2020 celebrations are happening online, most scheduled for today and the rest of the weekend. Pennsbury Manor and the African American Museum of Bucks County (AAMBC) had planned an on-site program to mark the occasion, but have turned to Zoom to offer a virtual event this afternoon at 4 pm. For more than 20 years, staff has been researching and interpreting the presence of enslaved Black people at Pennsbury. Earlier this year, with a grant from the Living History Centre in Novato, California, Pennsbury staff began working with Philadelphia-area playwright and performer Marissa Kennedy to develop and present a first-person interpretation of Susannah Warder. Kennedy's presentation is designed to engage school students (and others) with Warder as she tends to the laundry and talks about life as an enslaved person at Pennsbury. Marissa Kennedy will present this new interpretation as part of the Juneteenth virtual event. The program, which features other historical presentations from AAMBC and Pennsbury, will take place live via Zoom (see Facebook event for details) and will also be recorded for later viewing.

This laundry scene from the visitor center exhibit at Pennsbury tells the story of Jack (enslaved at Pennsbury) and his wife, Parthenia (enslaved in Philadelphia). Pennsbury's museum educator, Mary Ellyn Kunz, worked with Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) on an emotionally powerful video portrayal of Jack and Parthenia's story, which you can (and should) watch on HHV's website. 

On the Pennsylvania Military Museum's blog today, site administrator Tyler Gum shares stories of the U.S. Colored Troop (USCT) during the American Civil War, with a focus on soldiers with Pennsylvania connections. (Find the full blog post on PMM's website.)

"In 1863 General Orders 143 established the US Colored Troop. By this time, there existed two units, however this Order made such service officially recognized. Pennsylvania brought forth eleven USCT units, using Camp William Penn as the training grounds. Camp William Penn was located in Cheltenham Township (near Philadelphia) from 1863 to 1865. Pictured [below] is the PHMC Historical Marker and original camp gate. This Camp is most notable for being the first such designated camp for USCT in the Army. It is reported that more than 10,000 free and escaped enslaved men trained here. This figure includes 8,612 Pennsylvanians – the most of any Northern State."

This gate marks the entrance to Camp William Penn with PHMC historical marker to the right (marker text and more info)

More Juneteenth Virtual Celebrations and Online Resources

• African American Historical Society of South Central PA, Lebanon Valley College associate professor of history Michael Schroeder will discuss David Blight's biography of Frederick Douglass, June 21
• African American Museum of Philadelphia, Juneteenth 2020 Virtual Festival, June 20
• Black Scranton Project, Juneteenth Jubilee - Black Lives Matter Celebration, June 19
• National Museum of African American History and Culture, Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience, June 19-20
• Philadelphia Juneteenth Festival, June 20
• Western Pennsylvania Juneteenth Celebration, Juneteenth FB Live Freedom Day Walk (virtual walking tour of historic sites in Pittsburgh), June 19 (see Facebook page for additional Juneteenth events next week)
• Penn State Libraries, Juneteenth Resources List
• And if you're on Twitter, you can follow #VirtualJuneteenth for more

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.

Trails of History Events, March 8-21

The full March program page is available and will take you all the way to the end of the month. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour for the start of Daylight Saving Time, March 10 at 2 am.

March 10 is also Charter Day - site schedules and activities are listed below. In honor of Charter Day (celebrating Pennsylvania's founding in 1681), Pennsylvania Mercantile Store (the official source of PA tourism merch) is offering a variety of t-shirts at the low, low price of $16.81 (shop here).

Learn about historic brewing methods, and much more, at William and Hannah Penn's home on the Delaware (see Pennsbury Manor listing for details)

Anthracite Heritage Museum
March 8: Parade Day Eve—enjoy food, games, and bagpipe music, Irish Step Dancing, and more as Scranton kicks off its St. Patrick's Parade Day weekend (more info on Facebook event page). Tickets are $25 each and may be purchased by calling the museum at 570/963-4804. 6-9 pm.
March 10: Charter Day —the museum will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. Mike Buryk will present a new exhibit on the art of Ukrainian social realist artist Nicholas Bervinchak at 2 pm (the exhibit continues through July 10).

Brandywine Battlefield Park
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm.
March 19: Revolutionary Dining Series—author Nancy K. Loane will present "Beneath the Snow: Myths and Realities of the Valley Forge Encampment" at The Gables at Chadds Ford. Cost is $50 per person and includes dinner, lecture, and Q&A session; cash bar available. Visit the website for details on this and upcoming events in the series. 6 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
March 10: Charter Day —the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm. Guides will available for tours of the battlefield from noon to 3 pm, and the visitor center and park will be open until 5.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
March 10: Charter Day—the site’s largest living history event of the year, with Pennsylvania Provincial and French military units, Native American interpretation, artisans, and loads of books (details on Facebook). Noon-4:30 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm. Guides will be stationed throughout the site to provide info and answer questions (more info).
March 12: Friends Lecture Series—Susan Boardman, a licensed Gettysburg Battlefield Guide and Leadership Program Director for the Gettysburg Foundation, will present “History and Restoration of America’s Largest Oil Painting, the Gettysburg Cyclorama.” Lectures are held in Freeman Hall auditorium at Cornwall Manor. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
March 10: Charter Day and Fireside Tales—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-4 pm in honor of Charter Day. In addition, there will be a Fireside Tales program in the Wayside Lodge starting at 2 pm ($2 per person donation is suggested for Fireside Tales).

Drake Well Museum and Park
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm.
March 14 and 21: Petroleum Program Series—explore a wide variety of topics: (3/14) "Kinzua Dam from Construction to Function," Douglas Helman; (3/21) "Colonel Edwin Drake," Bob Archer. Admission charged. Doors open at 6 pm, programs start at 6:30.

Eckley Miners’ Village
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. Docents will be stationed in the museum buildings to add life to your self-guided tour. Poets Erin Delaney, Susan Jaffer, Nancy Dymond, Amanda Bradley, and Laurel Radzieski will read from their book, Down the Dog Hole - 11 Poets on Northeastern Pennsylvania (edited by Thomas Kielty Blomain and Brian Fanelli), starting at 2:45 pm. Tom Hartz will display his artwork on site as well (read more about Hartz's work).

Ephrata Cloister
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. The Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform in the Saal (meetinghouse) at 2, 3, and 4 pm.
March 14 and 21: Winter History Class—class began in January, but you can still sign up for one or more of the remaining sessions.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
March 10: Charter Day—the museum will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on this month's schedule and programs.

Graeme Park
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-3 pm. Tours of the Keith House will be offered.

Hope Lodge
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-3 pm.

Joseph Priestley House
March 10: Charter Day and Dr. Priestley’s Birthday—visit with costumed docents in each room (including the laboratory) and wish Dr. Priestley a happy birthday while he demonstrates the wonders of chemistry in the Pond Building. 1-4 pm (chem demos at 1:30 and 2:30).

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Multiple dates: Winter-Spring Workshops for Adults—Landis Valley offers an array of workshops and classes for adults who want to learn new skills and information. Please visit the website (for class list and registration details).
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm. Craft demonstrations and horse-drawn wagon rides are planned. Rides on a two-wheeled horse cart will be available for a $5 charge. LVM's new exhibit, "Thrown, Fired, and Glazed: The Redware Tradition from Pennsylvania and Beyond," will open to the public (runs through Dec. 2020). Event is rain or shine, but wagon and cart rides are weather-dependent.
March 13: Homeschool Class—this is the last class of the spring season; visit website for details and registration. 9 am-12:30 pm.
March 16: Lunch with the Landis Brothers—this new interactive experience includes lunch at the Landis Valley Hotel with George and Henry Landis, founders of the museum, and a behind-the-scenes look at some of their prized collections pieces. Advance reservations are required by March 8 and can be made online or by phone (details and link on website). 11 am-3 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, 1-4 pm. Living history theater presenters and colonial craft demonstrators (including the cooks and brewers) will be on hand. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Penndel Food Pantry and receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store today (more info on the website or in this article from Bucks Local News).

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
March 10: Charter Day—the site will be open, free of charge, 9 am-5 pm. Guided tours of the site will be offered between 10 am and 3 pm.
March 16-17: Potter-Tioga Maple Producers Assn Maple Weekend—be sure to stop by the Lumber Museum as you explore all things maple along U.S. Route 6.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
March 9-10: Charter Day Weekend Celebration—the museum will show Frank Capra's WWII film series, Why We Fight, in the museum auditorium on Sat., 3/9, beginning at 10:30 am. CORRECTED TO ADD SATURDAY AND CORRECT TIMES: In honor of Charter Day, the museum will be open free of charge on Saturday (10 am-4 pm) and on Sunday (noon-4 pm).
March 17: Documentary Film—You Enter Germany: Bloody Huertgen and the Siegfried Line, a German documentary released in 2007, includes archival footage and interviews with veterans. Donation requested for admission. 1:30 pm (film runs 104 minutes).

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
March 9: Reading on the Rails—enjoy stories about trains, railroads, and amazing people, places, and things, read by a host of local notables (info on readers and storytimes on website). Children will receive stickers at each story-reading to decorate a cardboard suitcase and will get to spend time with teams from KPETS (Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services). Morning storytimes will also include an American Sign Language interpreter. All activities are included in regular admission. 9 am-5 pm.
March 10: Charter Day—the museum is open, free of charge, noon-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
March 9-10: Maple Taste and Tour—Somerset Historical Center is a must-see stop on the Somerset County Maple Producers annual tour (more info on SHC's Facebook event page).

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Visit the website for a complete schedule of Planetarium shows.
March 8: Learn at Lunchtime—archivist Joshua Stahlman will talk about Pennsylvania's 1681 Charter; the original charter, along with several documents related to the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, will be on display during regular hours through noon on March 15 (then it's back to the vault until next year). Included in general admission. 12:15-12:45 pm.
March 10: Charter Day—the museum will be open, free of charge, noon-5 pm (schedule of activities).
March 21: Curiosity Kids series—this month's program is "Feed the Birds!" and participants will make a feeder to take home (program details, including a nut allergy warning). Included in general admission, but space is limited so be sure to sign up at the front desk. 11:30 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please check the website for information on events and programs.

'Tis the Season

Last week's post has program info through Dec. 27 and the December program page has info through the 31st. If you really like to plan ahead, the January program listings are also available.

Still shopping? Your favorite Trails of History sites offer unique gifts in their museum stores. And 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.)

It has been a busy December on the Trails of History. There were lots of holiday programs, but that's not the only news to report. But we'll get to that.

Holiday Programs

Somerset Historical Center held their third annual Ethnic Traditions Program, in which Somerset County residents present foods and customs from a variety of cultures. This year's presenters included Sotiris Aggelou, born in Greece; Anna Thomas, born in India; Grete Lowery, born in Austria, and her daughter Margot (Knupp) Daniels; Mark and Dianna Smith, descendants of 19th-century Irish, Scottish, and German immigrants to Pennsylvania; and Jamie Barron, whose great grandparents came to the U.S. from Stenico, a small village in the Italian Alps. All shared stories and most shared food (the Smiths played Scottish music) with program attendees. A printed program included information about each presenter and their traditions and introduced attendees to PHMC's 21st Century Museums Initiative.

Holly Nights at Pennsbury Manor, 2018 (from Facebook)

Pennsbury Manor's annual Holly Nights event (see Facebook photo album) is a longstanding tradition for many southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey families. Columnist JD Mullane had this to say in the Dec. 9 Intelligencer, after lamenting several unsuccessful attempts to create holiday memories with the kids:

But then the other night in Falls, I realized that we still have one family Christmas tradition of the variety I tried so hard to create — Holly Night at Pennsbury Manor, two nights always held the first week of December.

We’ve taken the kids to Gov. William Penn’s recreated summer house on the Delaware River since they were babies, and only because it was an inexpensive family outing, and always at Mrs. Mullane’s request. I took her there when we were still boyfriend and girlfriend. Despite nearly 20 years of Holly Nights, our kids still look forward to it — the paths lit by luminaries, pine and wood smoke on crisp night air. The dining room table set for an 18th century feast in the candle-lit manor house. The bell choir playing, the U.S. Steel Chorus, today called the Men of Harmony, performing “Little Drummer Boy.” (A bonus that received an extra ovation from the audience last week: three Men of Steel from the original choir are still singing). And the finale: tossing a sprig of evergreen into the small fire for good luck in the new year, and sipping hot apple cider.

Family traditions bring identity, unity and warmth, whether it’s Holly Night or finding the perfect tree at the farm. But you can’t force them, no matter how enticing and sentimental. There has to be some sort of magic in them that you can feel, but really can’t explain.

Carols around the bonfire at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (via Facebook)

 Yet another firelit holiday event is Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Bonfire Night, which welcomes visitors for the price of some nonperishable donations for a local food bank. This year the weather was a bit damp and foggy, but many people still stopped by, including photographer Jennifer MacNeill, a regular at LVM events (see her album of Bonfire Night photos here).

Kids of all shapes and sizes enjoyed the Christmas program at Bushy Run Battlefield (photo Michael Tusay)

Other December Happenings

The annual Pearl Harbor remembrance took place at the Pennsylvania Military Museum on Dec. 7. The museum shared images on their Facebook page (below) and WTAJ provided local coverage.

The Anthracite Heritage Museum opened a new exhibit on photographers working in the anthracite region and also announced the winners of the accompanying photo contest (below). Local news highlighted one of the winners, Megan Rusonis.

And finally, we're ending the year on a high note with the announcement that several Trails of History sites will be among the honorees when PA Museums presents the 2019 Special Achievement Awards at their annual conference in April. Institutional Achievement Awards will go to: U.S. Brig Niagara/Flagship Niagara League (homeport Erie Maritime Museum) for "Waves of the Past, Sailors of the Future"; Old Economy Village for "Bringing History Alive at Old Economy Village"; and The State Museum of Pennsylvania for "Restoration and Reinterpretation of Mammal Hall." Sarah Buffington, curator at Old Economy Village, and Hope W. Kopf, volunteer at Joseph Priestley House, will be honored with Individual Awards recognizing their contributions and good work. Visit the PA Museums website for the full list of honorees for 2019. Congratulations to all! And to all, a good night.

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.

The End of Summer?

Please see last week's post for events and programs coming up between now and the end of the month. I've highlighted some of this weekend's events below.

See program listings below for more info

As I was paring the list of events to include below, I was struck that several of them included the end of special hours or tours that were in place for the summer. I guess I haven't been paying attention, but in lots of ways, the end of August signals the transition to fall. Even when you don't have kids in school, there is a distinct change felt around this time of year (and not just because the school buses return to interfere with my morning commute, dadgummit). But anyway, here are some items that I think may be of interest.

During the course of the spring and summer, the majority of sites on the PHMC's PA Trails of History signed up to be part of the "Museums for All" program, an initiative of the Association of Children's Museums and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Participating museums nationwide offer discounted general admission to people who present an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card along with ID. PHMC (see list of participating sites) set "Museums for All" admission at $2 per person. In the period from April through June, 126 people received discounted admission at 11 sites.

An article in the Scranton Times-Tribune included mention of Sarah Sporko, who is entering her senior year at Misericordia University. As a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program participant, Sarah spent the summer at the Anthracite Heritage Museum working with staff to prepare for an upcoming photography exhibit. She was supervised by Jennifer Black, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at Misericordia, and Bode Morin, Ph.D., site administrator at Anthracite Heritage. The photography exhibit is set to open in November (we'll keep you posted).

I mentioned in a previous post (I think) that 2018 is the 300th anniversary of Pennsylvania founder William Penn's death. To commemorate the event, Pennsbury Manor has been focusing on Penn's legacy with various programs, including an upcoming panel discussion and luncheon with Pennsylvania's current governor and several past governors. But Penn and Pennsbury have inspired others, as well. A recent Facebook post alerted me to The William Penn Story, a new musical production by Philadelphia's Brotherly Love Theatre Company (BLTC). BLTC describes the production as "an amalgamation of jazz, funk, hip-hop, rock, and 17th-century Quaker ideology...inspired by productions like 1776, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, and Hamilton: An American Musical...." The musical will be staged at Lemon Hill Mansion in Fairmount Park on Sept. 9, 13, 16, and 19 as part of the 2018 Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

The Brew House at Pennsbury Manor (via Facebook)

This weekend...

Bushy Run Battlefield
Aug. 25: Bushy Run Market—it's the 4th Saturday of the month, so that means a variety of vendors will be on site for your shopping enjoyment (more info on the website). Free for visitors and vendors. 8 am-noon.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Aug. 25: Lecture/demonstration—Revolutionary War interpreter Paul Trainor will present "18th-Century Medical Practices," which includes a display of period medical instruments. Included in regular admission. 2-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Aug. 25: Drake Day Circus—experience a traveling circus as it might have been during the height of the Pennsylvania oil boom (more info on Facebook event page). Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Aug. 26: Historic Pithole Open—the visitor center will be open for the final time this season, so enjoy the orientation film and the excellent diorama that shows the town in its heyday. PLEASE NOTE that Pithole will be closed on Aug. 25 so that staff/volunteers can be at the Drake Day Circus. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Aug. 25: Back to School at Eckley—explore the village, visit the buildings, and take part in hands-on activities and a scavenger hunt as you go. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Hope Lodge
Aug. 26: Site open—enjoy the grounds and take a guided tour of the mansion. Admission charged. 12:30-4 pm (tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm).

Pennsbury Manor
Aug. 26: Special programming—this week, Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Aug. 25-26: Saturday and Sunday, the 1 pm guided tour is included in museum admission.

Somerset Historical Center
Aug. 25: History on a Hayride—hear local tales and explore the historical center grounds from your seat in a hay wagon. Two rides each day. Cost is $10 per person, $8 for members. 10 am-2 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Aug. 24: Summer Friday (last of the season)—general admission is "pay as you wish" today, 9 am to 5 pm. Curiosity Connection will have free timed tickets available. Art docents will be on hand in the "Art of the State" exhibit from 11 am to 1 pm. Regular fees apply for planetarium shows. From 12:15 to 12:45 pm, curator Janet Johnson will present a program on the archaeological excavations at Fort Hunter.