C'mon, Spring!

Feast Hall (left), Frederick Rapp House (center) and George Rapp House (right) as seen from the Rapp House Garden (photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page)

I know it's foolish to wish for spring just because it's March, but I can't help myself when I see photos like the one above. I'll keep dreaming. Some Trails of History sites began shifting from their winter schedules to their spring schedules this week, so that must mean something (although I should note that Old Economy Village, pictured above, will reopen April 1).

Visit Lebanon Valley, in partnership with the Lebanon County Branch of the NAACP, Lebanon County Historical Society, and Cornwall Iron Furnace, rounded out Black History Month by launching the Lebanon County African American Heritage Trail with a celebration attended by the participating organizations. Cornwall Iron Furnace is one of the stops on the trail.

The latest episode of the WQLN (Erie's PBS affiliate) series, Chronicles, features the story of Drake Well and Pithole City. Drake Well Museum & Park's curator, Sue Beates, provides commentary on the history of the oil boomtown and the context of oil industry history (watch Pithole City: The Ghost of America's Black Gold, Part I).

This past week, PA Museums (our statewide museum professional organization) hosted a webinar on the effort to return nearly 200 Lenape ancestors and their associated funerary objects to their Lenape homeland for burial. The 4-day event last April was the culmination of a process involving five Delaware nations and PHMC staff from The State Museum of Pennsylvania and Pennsbury Manor. The PA Museums webinar included commentary from Jeremy Johnson, cultural education officer for the Delaware Tribe of Indians, Janet Johnson, acting senior curator of archaeology at The State Museum, and Douglas Miller, site administrator at Pennsbury Manor, site of the homecoming and reburial (you can read a short article about the event in the Fall 2022 issue of Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine). The webinar was recorded and is available on the PA Museums YouTube channel. Doug Miller and Jeremy Johnson also recently appeared on an episode of the Keystone Edge podcast, which is produced in conjunction with PA Humanities. I recommend watching the webinar and listening to the podcast to learn more.

Next week's post will have more info on PA's birthday celebration coming up on March 12, but if you want to get a jump on celebrating, take advantage of a 10% discount on all PHMC titles sold through ShopPAHeritage.com now through March 31.

Up Next

Today, March 3

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read Give Me Some Space by Philip Bunting and create your own map of the solar system. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk (StoryTime info).

Saturday, March 4

• PA Geography with the Giant Map (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the giant map of Pennsylvania as we walk across the state. Test your geography skills playing a game. Included in regular admission (Giant Map program info).

• Kids Day: STEM Discovery (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; PA Military Museum
• Come experiment and learn how math and science are used by the military. Make your own rocket, conduct experiments, and more. Included in regular admission (Kids Day info).

Wednesday, March 8

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about what the Sun is, its basic motions in the sky, and why it is important to us. Then make a suncatcher to take home. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Thursday, March 9

• Winter History Class (virtual); 9 am-noon; Ephrata Cloister
• This course runs every Thursday through March 30. Today's presentations are "Henry Stiegel's Vision for Manheim" with Dan Snyder and "Iron and Glass by Stiegel: One Man's Collection" with Jeff Dreisbach. 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
• Jim Samuels will present "My Dream Job Come True...Finding, Assessing & Plugging Abandoned Oil & Gas Wells." Admission charged. Lecture starts at 6:30. Doors open at 5:30 for socializing and wine tasting from Brokenstraw Valley Winery (Wisdom & Wine info).

Friday, 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).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Remembering Gnadenhutten: Missionaries, Massacre, and the Resilience of a First Nation Community (in-person); Saturday, Mar. 11, 1-5 pm; Fort Pitt Museum
• During this one-day conference, attendees will examine the experience of Moravian Delaware converts in 18th-century Ohio Country and explore the fascinating history of the Delaware Nation at Moraviantown, where descendants of this resilient First Nation community live today (Gnadenhutten conference info and registration).

• All About Slag (hybrid); Tuesday, Mar. 14, 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.

• Homeschool Program (in-person); Wednesday, Mar. 15, 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).

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

• 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

On the Trails of History, Oct. 19-Nov. 1

There's still so much to do this month! Also, please note that some site schedules change seasonally, mostly affecting which days of the week the site is open. Please be sure to check ahead before visiting.

There are lots of Halloween-themed events coming up, including Tricks and Treats at Pennsbury Manor (via Facebook)

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 20: Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces—this year Bonfire at The Iron Furnaces will be highlighting the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), an annual celebration to honor the spirits of the dead, observed in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Visit the Bonfire Facebook page for ticket info and program updates. 6-10 pm at the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces.

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Oct. 23: Revolutionary Dining Series—Robert A. Selig, PhD, will present "Of Skulls, Limbs, and Skeletons," exploring the topic of how the opposing armies dealt with casualties after the Battle of Brandywine. Cost is $48 in advance, $55 at the door (online tickets will be available soon are now available). 6 pm at The Gables at Chadds Ford.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Oct. 28: Last Day of the 2018 Season—starting Mon., Oct. 29, the visitor center is closed to the public until Spring 2019. Park grounds are open year-round, 8 am to dusk.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Oct. 21: Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk—enjoy the beautiful Olmsted-designed park, as well as guided historic tours of the site. Noon-4 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Oct. 20: Presentation—Paul Trainor will present "Soldiers in the American Revolution," which includes a display of uniforms, weapons, and other military accounterments. 2 pm.
Oct. 27: Trick or Treat at the Homestead—there will be loads of activities for kids and their families at this event co-sponsored by Exeter Township (details on website). Cost is $5 per person. 10 am-8 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Oct. 21: Last day in 2018 to see oilfield equipment—today is the last day of 2018 to see the museum's operating oilfield equipment in action. It's time to prepare the equipment to "hibernate" until April.
Oct. 27: Something More Saturday—the focus of this month's special activities is "Stories of the Oilfields." Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Oct. 19-20, 26-27: Haunted Halloween Lantern Tours—tour groups walk through the 19th-century village and encounter ghosts, goblins, and ghoulish fun. Tours last about an hour and are filled on a first come, first served basis. Bring your own flashlight or purchase one at the museum store. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Please start at the visitor center: doors open at 6 pm, last tour starts at 9.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Oct. 20: Little Mates Halloween Spooktacular—come for the costume party and trick-or-treating (and pizza lunch), stay for a spooky tour of Niagara. Cost is $10 per person, free for members of the Little Mates Kids Club. RSVP to Marcus: mmasternak@flagshipniagara.org or 814/452-2744 x 222. 11 am-1 pm.
Oct. 27: Watercolor Class and Last Day to View Exhibit—taught by watercolorist Daven Anderson, whose work is on display in the exhibit, "A Celebration of Our Work and Waterways," closing today. The workshop is open to the public and will run from 9 am to 4 pm in the West Wing Gallery. Cost is $110. Contact Linda Bolla, 814/452-2744 x219 or c-lbolla@pa.gov, by Oct. 20 to register.
Oct. 27: Boos on the Brig—a Halloween party for grown-ups (must be at least 21 to attend) and a fundraiser (see loads more info here). Cost is $40 per person, $30 for Flagship Niagara League members (online tickets here). 7-10 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on holiday schedules, events, and programs.

Graeme Park
Oct. 21: Living History Sunday—tour the Keith House and learn about the governor for whom it is named. At 2 pm, there will be a presentation, "Sir William Keith: Savvy Politician or Scoundrel?" Noon-3 pm.
SORRY - SOLD OUT Oct. 26: Haunted Lantern Tours—see the Keith House by lantern light (you may bring your own flashlight if you wish). For an additional fee, you can experience an hour-long sample of paranormal investigation. Reservations are required for either or both; tickets must be purchased online (a small processing fee will be added). 7-10:30 pm.

Hope Lodge
October 21 & 28: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open 1 pm to 4 pm, with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Fall Workshops continue this month. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration.
Oct. 25: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Reservations are not required but you can purchase tickets online in advance if you like (program details). Admission: $11 per person (members and children age 5 and younger get in free). 9 am-3 pm.
Oct. 27: Haunted Landis Valley Tea and Tour—did you know that the Landis Brothers loved to pull Halloween pranks and tell ghost stories? Celebrate in their spirit at this fun event! Your day includes Pennsylvania German spooky stories, interactive activities, wagon rides, a hot cider reception in the Firehouse, and a tea luncheon in the Landis Valley House Hotel with scones, soup, sandwiches, and a dessert. Reservations are required: contact Jamie at c-jschurin@pa.gov or 717-581-0590 OR purchase tickets online (service fee applies). Doors open at 11 a.m.; festivities begin at 11:30 a.m.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 27: Multiple activities—choose between a cooking class and straw hat workshop. See calendar of events for info.
Oct. 28: A Halloween Haunting—children 10 and under are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat among the historic buildings. Please check the website for details. Admission is $5 per person.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct. 21: Open Hearth Cooking—the cooks will (prepare a complete seasonal dinner for William and Hannah Penn). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Oct 28: Tricks and Treats at the Manor—enjoy an afternoon of festive family-friendly Halloween fun mixed with Pennsylvania history. Children can come dressed in their Halloween costumes for some trick-or-treating, games, and 17th-century demonstrations. We are partnering up again with the Teal Pumpkin Project to bring non-food games and trick-or-treating stations for those with food allergies. A living history theater presentation, "The Trial of Margaret Mattson," will be held during the event. It is 1684, Margaret Mattson has been accused by her neighbors of witchcraft. William Penn will preside over the trial. No admission charged for this event. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct. 20: Haunted Lantern Tours—hear spooky (but not too spooky) tales in the logging camp as you tour by lantern light and trick-or-treat along the way. Costumes are welcome, and there will be some craft activities in the program room. Admission is $3 per person. 5-8 pm.
Oct. 27: Citizen Science Workshop—UPDATE 10/22/18 - event has been cancelled due to insufficient registration. Stay tuned for another Citizen Science Workshop in the spring, and be sure to pre-register. learn about citizen science opportunities happening around the county and how to get involved. Program offered in conjunction with the Potter County Conservation District. Guest speakers will talk about pollinators and honey production, invasive plants, and watershed association activities. Free lunch will be provided, so registration is required. Call 814-320-4017 to reserve your spot. 10 am-3 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 20: Historical Halloween—trick-or-treating with a historical theme, following the site’s pathways by lantern light. Enjoy popcorn and fresh apple cider! Admission: $3 per child, plus an apple for the cider press. 5-8 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Check the Planetarium webpage for a full schedule of programs.
Oct. 19: 3rd in the Burg—exhibit opening for "Innovative Means: Photographs from the Collection," spanning 80 years of work by 26 photographers. The exhibit runs through Feb. 17, 2019. Admission is free. 5:30-7:30 pm.
Oct. 21: Great Pumpkin Day—family-friendly Halloween-themed activities and entertainment (details on the website). Everyone pays the "child" admission rate today, that's $5. Parking is free. Please note that the Planetarium and Curiosity Connection will be closed. 12:30-3 pm.
Oct. 25: Curiosity Kids—today's program takes place in Nature Lab and is focused on "Dinosaurs" (details). Included in regular admission, but space is limited, so please sign up at the front desk when you arrive. 11:30 pm.
Oct. 27: Workshops in Archaeology—for more information and registration form, visit the State Museum website.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park calendar of events for details of this month's events and programs.

Snapshots from the Trails of History

See below for info on this weekend's events on the Trails of History. Visit the May program page for additional information or to plan ahead for Memorial Day weekend.

There were some great visuals shared this week by sites on the Trails of History. Here are just a few of them for your viewing pleasure.

Photo via Drake Well Museum Facebook page

This looks like some kind of encoded message to me, but it is actually an array of metal paper clips removed from historic documents at Drake Well Museum and Park. According to Drake Well's Facebook post, a volunteer at the museum has been assisting with caring for documents from the United Refining Company Collection by removing the metal clips, pins, etc., and replacing them with plastic (metal fasteners have a tendency to rust and can do damage to long-term paper collections). Drake Well staff did some research to identify some of the clips:

Who thinks about the history of paperclips? The Early Office Museum does. That’s where I found information about the ones Mary Jane found. Left to Right Top Row: Mussian Paper Clip 1902; Owl 1905 to the present: Niagara clip patented 1897 and advertised until 1950; Standard Paper Clip advertised 1910-1941; Fay Paper Clip originally patented in 1867 and manufactured by many companies after 1896; straight pins; Rinklip patented 1903 and still made; Gem patented in 1903 still used. Bottom Row: little straight pin; Improved Niagara Paper Clip advertised 1908-1950; T-shaped pins were machine made for clothing by 1836 but were patented as paper clips in 1902. The rest are stamped out of sheet metal – star, smiley face and heart with no known maker – yet.

Photo via Drake Well Museum Facebook page

Also this week, folks from Drake Well's Mobile Energy Education Training Unit (MEET-U) staffed a display booth at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh. They promoted MEET-U programs, Drake Well, and the PHMC at this annual event that features nearly 2,000 high schoolers showcasing their inventions and independent research to approximately 11,000 attendees.

Photo courtesy of PA Military Museum

Yesterday morning (Thursday, May 17) roughly 100 U.S. Army soldiers mustered on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum for PT (physical training). It's a little hard to see in the photo (I was afraid to crop too much of the scene), but the soldiers were running on the paths that circumnavigate the parade grounds. This Sunday, May 20, the grounds will be crowded with military equipment and personnel for the Pennsylvania National Guard's annual Celebration of Service.

Photo via Railroad Museum of PA Facebook page

The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania posted a photo on Facebook of two rare baggage tags. The museum's collections include thousands of fascinating objects with stories to tell.

The story of the United States of America is one of migration of individuals, families and communities traveling to these shores and over this land, motivated by a quest for something better in life. These emigrant baggage tags were discovered in the ground in western Pennsylvania and are a rare find of tags issued by the Pennsylvania Railroad in Philadelphia, and made by the Hoole Manufacturing Company of New York.

Pennsbury Manor has introduced apiaries (bee hives) into the orchards (see video below from Facebook). Students attending the Pennsylvania Day school program in two weeks will get the first look at new bee-centered educational programs at the site.

This weekend...

• Drake Well Museum and Park
  May 19: MEET-U in 5 & 1/—enjoy a 5-mile or 13-mile (half marathon) run through the grounds of Drake Well Museum and Oil Creek State Park and help the museum’s MEET-U educational outreach program. Registration is required; registration form is on the website.
• Ephrata Cloister
  May 20: Ephrata Cloister Chorus Spring Concert—the Chorus will perform in the Saal (meetinghouse). Admission charged (details on the website); admission includes the 2:30 pm guided tour. Site open noon-5 pm, concert is at 4. (See a video preview of one of the pieces the Chorus will perform via LancasterOnline.)
• Graeme Park
  May 19: Colonial Beer Brewing Demo—Mike the brewer will be practicing his beer brewing skills for a larger living history program in October (Facebook event page). 9 am-2 pm (site open until 4).
  May 20: Living History Sunday—see a demonstration of colonial-era open hearth cooking throughout the afternoon. Noon-3 pm (brief presentation at 2).
• Hope Lodge
  May 20: Site open—Hope Lodge is open for tours every Sunday through October. Admission is charged. 1-4 pm.
• Old Economy Village
  May 20: Lecture—author Jay Paisley will discuss his book on the Civil War letters of William Henry Huffman. Light refreshments to follow. 2-4 pm.
• Pennsbury Manor
  May 20: Sunday programming—today is "Open Hearth Cooking." Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
  May 20: 3rd Sunday Series—this month's program is a demonstration of traditional dutch oven cooking by John and Jan Halter (more info on Facebook event page). Museum is open 9 am-5 pm; program runs 1-3 pm.
• Pennsylvania Military Museum
  May 20: A Celebration of Service—US Army reunion and memorial service sponsored by the PA National Guard and held on the museum grounds. Museum is open 10 am-5 pm (ceremony begins at 12:30 pm, but military vehicles, helicopters, and equipment begin arriving earlier in the day).
• Somerset Historical Center
  May 19: Frosty Mugs of Thunder Brewfest—enjoy beer tasting, food, live music, and historical demonstrations. Event is rain or shine, and you must be at least 21 to attend. Visit the Frosty Mugs of Thunder Facebook page for details on tickets (including designated driver tickets) and participating breweries/food vendors. 4-8 pm.

STEM Learning in Erie and More

Please check out the March program page for info on this weekend's activities on the Trails of History.

Many thanks to frequent guest blogger Linda Bolla, of the Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara, for the following info and photos:

Erie Maritime Museum recently debuted its first traveling STEM exhibit. Using this series of simple machines, a student can both feel and measure the mechanical advantage gained with the addition of pulleys. The Museum’s design elements are unique – students lift 12-pound cannon balls using a rig constructed with a maritime feel: proper ship’s blocks and hempex lines secured to a rail of belaying pins.

EMM Intern Brett Eckstrom teaches a lesson in mechanical advantage

The exhibit was designed to be easily portable, constructed and rigged by Museum volunteer docents, who also field tested it at Penn State Behrend’s Family STEM Night last month. Lesson plans and an assembly/safety manual were drafted by Museum Intern Brett Eckstrom, a PSU Behrend History Major in his junior year. Brett will also train museum docents to deliver the lesson this term.

EMM STEM team proudly debuts their hands-on exhibit (l to r, Ed Bolla, Brett Eckstrom, Rich Hall; not shown, Chris Laird and Linda Bolla)

In Other News...

So after mostly dodging the past several nor'easters, central PA got socked on the second day of spring. While other parts of the state have been hit with some of the earlier storms (and this one as well), Storm Toby was the Harrisburg area's first really serious brush with snow this winter. Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum posted some lovely after-storm photos (see below and visit their Facebook page for more).

Yellow Barn, Erisman House, and Tavern at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum (via FB)

As a suggested means of whiling away a snow day, Landis Valley also posted a chocolate cake recipe from the Landis Valley Cookbook (p. 86) and media assistant Shayla Carey posted her video of preparing the cake. Don't watch it if you're hungry!

Bushy Run Battlefield posted a time-lapse video of staff and volunteers changing the period uniform on a mannequin in the visitor center exhibit (watch below or on YouTube). Bushy Run had a very successful Charter Day, but is not actually open for the 2018 season until Wednesday, April 18. In the meantime, they are getting ready for visitors.

On this Day in History - March 23

STEM edition:

• 1857 - Elisha Otis installed the first modern passenger elevator in a public building.
• 1903 - The Wright brothers obtained an airplane patent.
• 1965 - America's first two-person space flight took off from Cape Kennedy with astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and John W. Young aboard. The craft was the Gemini 3.

Goodbye August, Hello September

The September program page has the info you need to plan your weekend. If you'll be on the Trails of History on Monday, please check the list of sites scheduled to be open for Labor Day.

We're not quite to fall yet, but we'll be there soon (Fall 2016 tree at Bushy Run Battlefield)

There's been lots of activity at Pennsbury Manor recently, judging from their Facebook page. They adopted two lambs and are currently accepting votes via Facebook on names for the pair (either "Sage and Lavender" or "Admiral and Lady"). They are also raising funds online to help pay for veterinary care for the lambs and other animals at Pennsbury (you can help by visiting their Crowdrise page). I also saw on Facebook that Pennsbury, in conjunction with its brewing program, offered a workshop last Sunday on making your own bitters (see photo below). The workshop sold out, but more are planned. Pennsbury's volunteer newsletter noted that the site has partnered with Waste Management to create a garden outside the gate to support several species of pollinators. Citizen scientists from the Pennsbury staff and volunteer corps are participating in an effort to monitor the monarch butterflies, bees, and other species over the summer; the efforts will continue through late October.

"Bitters, Blubs, and Brews" workshop at Pennsbury Manor Aug. 27 (via Facebook)

In other programming highlights, Eckley Miners' Village drew a crowd of 480 people on a Friday for a free day earlier this month. Thanks to funding from the Buncher Foundation they were able to offer transportation to the site from Hazleton in addition to waiving ticket fees that day. You can read more about it in an article from the Standard Speaker.

Drake Well Museum added a geology and paleontology component to their annual Drake Day celebration, marking the anniversary of Col. Drake's successful oil well. They shared photos on Facebook (including the one below).

Is that a dinosaur at Drake Well? (via Facebook)

Ephrata Cloister is looking for singers interested in adding their voices to the Ephrata Cloister Chorus, now in its 58th year. Founded in 1959, the chorus has performed selections from the 1,000 hymns and chorales composed by Conrad Beissel and others in the Ephrata community during the 1700s. In concerts across the eastern U.S. and in Europe, the group has also presented a variety of other classical and contemporary songs, including music from other early American religious communities and traditions. New singers of all vocal parts are invited to attend rehearsal on Sept. 5 or Sept. 12 to meet the director, Martin Hinkley, and get a sampling of this season's musical selections. If you'd like to take part, please call Ephrata Cloister at 717/733-6600 for additional information.

A few other items of interest...

• a recent article in The Telegraph describes a changing exhibit, "Priestley and Patronage," at Bowood House, the site of Dr. Joseph Priestley's "discovery" of oxygen (the article also provides a look at the history of the estate and its current development)
• the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center's upcoming genealogy conference will feature current and former PHMC staff as speakers: museum educators Michael Showalter (Ephrata Cloister) and Michael Emery (Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum) and former SHPO staff member Jerry Clouse
• if you're looking for opportunities to explore archival collections and help make them more accessible to others, the National Archives has an entire page of "Citizen Archivist" missions
• on a related note, due (at least in part) to the popularity of Hamilton: An American Musical, the Library of Congress has digitized its collection of Alexander Hamilton's papers so that more people can have access

Last Eclipse Post Until 2024

The August program page has info on events this weekend and next week (highlights below). The September page is available if you want to plan ahead (there's also a list of sites scheduled to open on Labor Day).

An intrepid photographer at Landis Valley managed to get this shot of the eclipse thru cloud cover (via Facebook)

So, eclipse fever is fading, but I think most of us will agree that it lived up to the hype. That's saying something in our full-of-hype lives. I was intrigued by the posts I saw on Facebook and Twitter with historical accounts of eclipses past and fascinated by the photos from friends and strangers along the path of totality or the path of partiality. It was fun to build my own pinhole projector out of a cereal box (thanks NASA and State Museum Planetarium for the instructions). It worked fairly well, too, with a little trial and error. It was even more fun to look through the eclipse glasses that the boss bought to share with staff. We passed them around among our office staff and then other agency staff and even just other folks out on the Keystone Building and Museum plaza. A shared experience and then back to work.

If you still have eclipse glasses and won't be using them again in the near future, Gizmodo reports that you can donate them to Astronomers Without Borders for reuse by kids in developing countries to view eclipses in 2019. Or you can donate money for them to buy new glasses, but they're using this opportunity to create a stockpile (read more about it).

Here are a couple more eclipse-related photos you may not have seen (or scroll down to see Trails of History events coming up this weekend).

Partial eclipse casts crescent shadows in Erie (photo by Linda Bolla)
Fun fact: Erie will be in the path of totality for the next solar eclipse visible in the US, in April 2024!

The floor of the Commonwealth Keystone Building atrium at max coverage (photo by AKF)

This weekend...
Drake Well Museum
Aug. 26: Something More Saturday—Today's event is "Drake Day - Let's Rock," commemorating the birth of the modern oil industry. Learn about fossils and rocks from paleontologists and geologists; you can even try the climbing wall. Admission charged. Noon-4 pm. (PLEASE NOTE: Historic Pithole will be closed on Saturday so that volunteers can be at Drake Well for Drake Day; Pithole will be open on Sunday.)

Old Economy Village
Aug. 26: Spotlight Saturday—glimpse life and work in the 19th century through demonstrations and tours - this week is woodworking and children's games. Included in regular admission, so please start at the Visitor Center. 11 am-4 pm (site open 10 am-5 pm).

Pennsbury Manor
Aug. 27: Meet Our Lambs—Pennsbury adopted two lambs earlier this month and they are now ready for their debut. You can admire their adorableness and vote on names for them (more info on Facebook). Plus lots of other stuff to see and do, as always. Included in regular admission. 12:30-5 pm.
Aug. 27: Bitters, Blubs & Brewing—visit with the gardeners and stop by the brew house to see what's up. Visitors age 21 and older who pre-register and pay the $20 fee can learn to make their own bitters Call 215/946-0400 to register. 2-4 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Aug. 25: Free Summer Friday and Learn at Lunchtime—general admission is free, 9 am to 5 pm (regular fees apply for the Planetarium). Curiosity Connection will have free timed tickets available. Today's Learn at Lunchtime is a special tour of the "Pennsylvania at War" exhibit, 12:15-12:45 pm.

Totality, Dude

The August program page has info on events coming up this weekend and the rest of the month. There's always history to learn and learn from on the Trails of History. In my opinion.

Solar eclipse Jan. 3, 1908 by Tomruen - Lick Observatory, from Flint Island, Kiribati, Public Domain, Link

So, okay, we in Pennsylvania will see only a partial solar eclipse. Safe travels and good times to those of you venturing into the path of totality. I'm sure it's going to be a zoo, but a rare opportunity in the U.S. Be nice to the people whose states and towns you're visiting and clean up after yourselves. No one wants to see news photos of Woodstock-esque trash piles. Not sure why I'm lecturing on this - trying to do my part for peace, love, and understanding, I guess.

My news feeds have been full of eclipse stuff...

The State Museum Planetarium has been sharing lots of info about the upcoming eclipse. There's still time to catch "2017 Eclipse Across America" today and this weekend for a great explanation of eclipses. Because PA will see a partial eclipse (75-80%) we won't be able to look directly at the sun at any time without protection. If you don't have a pair of eclipse glasses or a specially equipped viewer of some sort, the museum shared NASA's instructions for making a pinhole projector using a cereal box. I may have to try that this weekend if my husband finishes off the Froot Loops (UPDATE: he already has).

UPDATE: Planetarium director Linda Powell was on abc27 Friday morning to talk about the eclipse (watch it here).

On a related safety note, PennDOT reminds us that it can be unsafe and may be unlawful to just stop alongside a roadway to watch the eclipse.

Washington Crossing Historic Park has posted info for those who might want to view the eclipse from Bowman's Hill Tower.

There are lots of posts from all over with historical info about eclipses and how people have studied and reacted to them through time:

• Atlas Obscura - too many eclipse posts to mention so I'll highlight 2 and you can surf for more: "How Edmond Halley Kicked Off the Golden Age of Eclipse Mapping" and "The Story Behind the Greatest Eclipse Video of All Time" (includes an embed of said video)
• National Archives - blog post with photos and info about past eclipses
• Lancaster Online - a look back at Lancaster area coverage of past eclipses
• UPDATE: Thanks to Linda Bolla for this link from the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission about the total eclipse that passed across the U.S. on June 18, 1918

Let us know in the comments if you have other eclipse-related posts to share!

And for those of you who remember the 1980s, I leave you with this. Bonnie Tyler will, if all goes according to plan, perform "Total Eclipse of the Heart" during the eclipse on board a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Enjoy the earworm.

How did it get to be March already?

The March program page is up and running, along with the list of Trails of History sites open on Sunday, March 12, for Charter Day.

On February 17, PHMC participated in #DayofFacts, which was an effort to highlight the work of museums, libraries, and other cultural organizations that are trusted sources of information about a myriad of issues. Sean Adkins, PHMC's social media manager, compiled tweets from the Trails of History on Storify. Please take a look to see some of the info we shared.

Episode 217 of the Chemical Heritage Foundation's "Distillations" podcast looks at the cultural history and science of "fizzy water," noting the contributions of Joseph Priestley to the science of artificial carbonation (take a listen - it's a little over 13 minutes and the Priestley story comes near the end, but the whole thing was interesting to me). You can also learn about Priestley's life and work at the Joseph Priestley House in Northumberland, part of the PA Trails of History. Lab demos and house tours will be on tap at Priestley House on Charter Day.



The PHMC's annual Summer Apprenticeship Program is currently accepting applications for a variety of training programs at various locations. PHMC and several partner organizations are offering paid 12-week apprenticeships for this summer to introduce students to the preservation and traditional building trades. The program is open to people with building trades experience and students/recent graduates of post-secondary trade schools, technical colleges, and other training programs. Hiring is handled separately by each sponsoring company or institution - find the info you need on the PHMC website and review the opportunities. The hiring period ends April 30.


Today, March 3

• Pennsylvania Military Museum, Military PT on Grounds. Meet at the flagpoles at 1600 (4 pm) for some physical training and a 1-2 mile run on the grounds (learn a little about the military equipment and memorials). This is the inaugural offering of this program; it will continue on Mondays and Fridays through the month (and, we hope, beyond). No registration necessary; just show up.
• State Museum of Pennsylvania, Storytime. Read Fire Engine No. 9, by Mike Austin, and explore the Transportation and Industry Gallery (more details). Included in general admission. 10-11 am.

Saturday, March 4

• Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Scratched Eggs class (registration required, details on this and upcoming classes). Cost is $30 (includes materials). 1-4 pm.
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Read Across America Day. Enjoy stories about trains, railroads, and amazing people, places, and things, read by a host of local notables (program flyer with storytimes). Included in regular admission. 9 am-5 pm.
• Somerset Historical Center, Volunteer Recruitment Event. Meet staff and current volunteers to see what possibilities await you. Event is free. 9 am-noon.

Sunday, March 5

• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Heroes of Conservation Film Showing and Panel Discussion. The museum will show two documentaries, Mira Lloyd Dock: A Beautiful Crusade and Gifford Pinchot's Conservation Legacy starting at 1 pm (each runs about 30 minutes); a panel discussion will follow (more info on Facebook).

Time Moves Pretty Fast, or Ox and Ye Shall Receive

Well, this week has gotten away from me, so I'm resorting to outright theft (thank you, Pennsbury Manor and PA Lumber Museum) and a horrible pun.

Earlier this winter, when there was snow on the ground instead of spring warmth in the air, Pennsbury Manor posted video of Bill the Ox cutting loose on a sunny afternoon.


If that doesn't bring a smile to your face, then maybe a "Bill the Ox" temporary tattoo will do the trick.

Temporary tattoo available in Museum Store at Pennsbury (via Facebook)

Also, this week...

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum was included in a community report segment produced by Blue Ridge Communications 13 - the segment features site administrator Josh Roth showing off the visitor center exhibit and the grounds of the museum. The video is available on YouTube (or watch it below); the Lumber Museum segment is the first 10 minutes or so. Great local coverage.


The March program page will be up and running early next week, but don't miss out on these upcoming events:

• Today (2/24), State Museum of Pennsylvania, Nature Lab Program. In honor of National Engineering Week, today's program is "Simple Machines." Included in regular admission. 11:30 am-12:30 pm.
• Saturday (2/25), Drake Well Museum. This month's "Something More Saturday" explores parlor games and other low-tech entertainments, included in regular admission. Special rate: purchase two adult tickets, receive up to three youth admissions. 10 am-3 pm.

The Week in Review

The February program page is up, so you can plan ahead for the month to come. Not to rush the demise of January, though. There are still some January events, which I've listed below.

TC gets her hooves soaked in epsom salts after the farrier trims them (via Pennsbury Manor Facebook page)

It may be the off-season at Pennsbury Manor, but that doesn't mean there's nothing going on. When there are animals to be cared for, that's a full-time, all-year endeavor. The Facebook post that carried the above photo noted that most horses do not cooperate as readily as TC with the hoof-soaking, intended to prevent bacteria from entering the freshly trimmed hooves. Winter has been fairly mild so far in the southeastern part of PA, allowing for more outside time for the animals and the people who take care of them. Landis Valley posted some photos of sheep, including a new lamb, enjoying the fresh air. We didn't compete in the #CuteAnimalTweetoff this week, but we'd have been heavy contenders if we had.

Sheep outside the Log Farm at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (via Facebook)

The Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton recently hosted their annual commemoration of the Knox Mine Disaster, which took the lives of twelve miners on Jan. 22, 1959. This year's event included a tribute to Bill Hastie, 97, the last surviving employee of the Knox Coal Company and an active speaker on the history and legacy of the disaster. An article in Wilkes-Barre's Times Leader has photos and a full description of the program.

The Times Leader also reviewed the premiere of Gunpowder Joe: Joseph Priestley, Pennsylvania, and the American Experiment, a new play by Anthony Clarvoe, now in performances at Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, through Feb. 5 (so still time to see it). An article in the Sunbury Daily Item explores some of the historical themes (political, religious, and scientific) and personages portrayed. Some of the action is set at Priestley's home in Northumberland, which is part of the Pennsylvania Trails of History.


Coming up...

Today, Jan. 27

• State Museum of PA Nature Lab program, "White-Tailed Deer," 11:30 am-12:30 pm.

Tomorrow, Jan. 28

• Drake Well Museum's Something More Saturday has a Valentine's Day theme, "Love Among the Derricks." More info.
• Fort Pitt Museum reopens after being closed most of the month for annual upkeep and cleaning.

Sunday, Jan. 29

• Museum Store Folk Art Class at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum - learn about about PA German painted furniture and decorate a miniature blanket chest. More details (including how to register and what kind of brushes to bring.)
• UPDATE: You can meet artists Dominick Brandt, Ralph Hocker, and Don Lenker from 2 to 3 pm at the State Museum of PA. They are featured in the current exhibit, The 7 Lively Artists, which closes on Feb. 12. Included in regular admission.

It May Not Feel Like Fall

Looking for stuff to do this weekend? Check out the October program page for ideas.

Fall has arrived at Bushy Run Battlefield (via Facebook)

This blast of warm air has made it feel like summer again, but it is harvest time on the Trails of History. Autumn is my favorite season, so I'm always happy to see photos from sites with fall colors and harvest-themed programs. You can find lots of photos on Facebook: Harvest Days at Landis Valley (courtesy of Jennifer Macneill Photography), Pennsbury Manor's Harvest Day school program, or Bonfire at the Furnaces (as in Scranton Iron Furnaces). If you aren't already following the PA Trails of History interest page on Facebook, it's a great way to see all of these things and more in one place.

As part of the development of the next statewide preservation plan, the State Historic Preservation Office (part of PHMC) is hosting a series of Open Houses and Community Forums to gather public input and hear what people have to say. Some of the open houses have been or will be at Trails of History sites. The schedule runs through November, so there's still time to take part by attending in person or by responding to an online survey. The PA Historic Preservation blog has more information and links. PHMC recorded the discussion at the open house held at the PA Military Museum earlier this week, and you can watch it on Facebook.

On Twitter this week, PHMC connected the dots of National Chemistry Week (I know, it always sneaks up on me, too) and the Joseph Priestley House. The house is open this weekend, so why not take a drive along the Susquehanna and stop in for a visit? (Check the website for details.) And, mark your calendars for the world premiere of a new play, Gunpowder Joe: Joseph Priestley, Pennsylvania, and the American Experiment, by Anthony Clarvoe. (You'll find a quote on JPH's website that helps explain the title.) Directed by Laurie McCants and presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, the play will run Thursdays through Sundays, Jan. 19 to Feb. 5, 2017. Jan. 19-20 are preview performances (no reservations, pay what you wish), and Jan. 21 is opening night (pay what you decide after the performance). The play resulted from a collaboration between the playwright, the Friends of Joseph Priestley House, and Bucknell University. There will be a symposium on Dr. Priestley along with the matinee performance on Sunday, Jan. 22 (we'll provide more details later). For more information, visit the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble website.

In the News and Coming Up

There's still stuff to do in September on the Trails of History - check out the monthly program page. I plan to have the October listing available next week.

(from left) Julia Rose, AASLH Chair; Josh Roth, site administrator, PA Lumber Museum; John Dichtl, AASLH President and CEO (photo via AASLH Facebook page)

The Bradford Era picked up the story of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum's core exhibit receiving a Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). Site administrator Josh Roth was in Detroit last week to receive the award on behalf of the museum and PHMC.

The Ephrata Area Chamber of Commerce is holding a history-themed murder mystery event on Oct. 1 (since I won't have the October program listing up until late next week, I'm mentioning it now). The action of the story is set in 1941, the year Ephrata celebrated its 50th birthday (they're celebrating their 125th this year) and the beginnings of restoration work at Ephrata Cloister were getting underway. Michael Showalter, museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, wrote the script for the murder mystery event, weaving together borough and Cloister history - some vignettes will take place at Ephrata Cloister. If you're interested in attending, you can find out more info in an article in the Ephrata Review.

The Daily Item (Sunbury) last weekend included two articles on a new children's exhibit and education area at the Joseph Priestley House, which explores what life was like for families other than the Priestleys who lived in Northumberland and surrounding areas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In other Priestley House developments, the third in a series of videos about Dr. Priestley's scientific work identifying and isolating various gases is now available. Each video provides historical information on Priestley's work and shows experiments in a modern laboratory. The most recent video focuses on nitrous oxide and was partially funded by the Dept. of Anesthesiology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (previous videos covered carbon monoxide and ammonia).

Walter's Mill Covered Bridge at Somerset Historical Center (photo by Janice Mullin)

Earlier this week I got around to checking my Google Alerts folder (it had been several weeks), I found an article from the Fort Morgan (Colorado) Times about a local 4-H group that visited western Pennsylvania in July. Among the many sites they visited was Somerset Historical Center, and the article includes a photo of the students in front of the Walter's Mill Covered Bridge. Coincidentally (?) there was a more recent story about a new self-guided tour brochure for Somerset County. The Bridges of Somerset County brochure and map, supported by the Somerset County Tourism Grant Program, lists covered bridges and historic sites as well as recreational trails and other points of interest (you can download a copy of the brochure online).

News Roundup for a New Month

As we're on the cusp of April and May, the program pages for both are up at the same time (April programs here, May programs here). Be sure to take a look to see what's what on the Trails of History.

The Pennsylvania State Archives will offer "Archives without Tears," their popular 2-day workshop on archival management and care, twice in the weeks ahead - May 24-25 at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum and June 16-17 at the Blair County Genealogical Society. The cost at each location is $30 for both days or $20 for either day (the program is different each day); registration fees include lunch, so it's quite a deal. Register by contacting the location you wish to attend. (You'll find an image of the brochure and more info here and a downloadable version of the brochure and registration form on Blair County Genealogical Society's website.)

Speaking of the State Archives, plans for a new building were announced earlier this week. PHMC has been working with the City of Harrisburg and others to secure property on which to build an updated and expanded facility to house the commonwealth's permanently valuable records and make them available for research. Tuesday's announcement (read about it on PennLive) included the fact that the new building will also house city archives and make them more readily available to the public. The project is expected to take about 4 years to complete; Archives staff are already preparing for the move to the new building.

Download the International Museum Day 2016 poster from ICOM

For those of you who combine a love of museums with a love of Twitter, May has not one, but two, days you should know about. May 12 is Museum Memories Day (#MusMem), where you are asked to share your favorite memories (recent or not-so-recent) of museums you've visited or work with. And May 18 is International Museum Day (#MuseumDay2016), an opportunity for museums all over the world to showcase their programs, exhibits, communities, what have you. UPDATE:May 25 is #MusFavObjects day - share a photo of your favorite museum object with the Twitterverse. Check out PHMC's Twitter account (@PHMC) throughout May (or anytime, for that matter) to see what sites on the Trails of History are sharing. I'll also try to share here on Trailheads or my own Twitter account (@AmyKFox).

The latest edition of PHMC's collections-focused blog, Pennsylvania Treasures, features a 19th-century weathervane that doubled as a commercial sign for blacksmith W. Gerfin. The post was written by Jennifer Royer, who co-curated the new Weathervane exhibit at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. The exhibit, "Weathervanes: Three Centuries of a Pennsylvania Folk Art Tradition," will be on view through December.

If you read Trailheads regularly, you know that I usually encourage folks to vote in the now-annual Museum Dance Off competition (now in its third year as #MDO3). The first round of match-ups is drawing to a close and earlier this week we had a chance to vote for the Chemical Heritage Foundation's video. The focus of the video was an array of women who pursued research in the sciences (some I'd heard of, some I hadn't). Our own Dr. Joseph Priestley (whose American home is part of the PHMC Trails of History) made a cameo appearance (folks from the Chemical Heritage Foundation have supported projects at Priestley House on many occasions). Unfortunately, the video came in 2nd for Round 1, Day 7, so it will not move on to Round 2, which starts on Monday.