Taking a Little Break

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

The garden at the George Rapp House continues to offer color even in the fall (photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page)

Trailheads HQ is taking a little break next week, so I won't be here to update changes in program schedules. I'd hate for people to be disappointed, and it's always a good idea to check specific site info to be sure. See you in a bit.

Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, October 15

• Learn at Lunchtime (in-person and virtual): learn about new findings in archaeology and what they tell us about the arrival of Paleoindians in the Americas, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, included in regular admission or watch via Zoom (L@L info and Zoom registration)

Saturday, October 16

• Civil War Living History Event (in-person): meet interpreters from the Detachment, US Engineers, Cornwal Iron Furnace, 9 am-4 pm, event is outdoors and free, regular admission applies for guided tours of the furnace (Living History event info)
• StoryTime (in-person): today's book is Bones, Bones Dinosaur Bones by Byron Barton, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, geared for kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Iron Pour (in-person): artist Brian Glaze and volunteers will use a cupola furnace to melt iron and cast molds, Scranton Iron Furnaces, 11 am-4 pm (Iron Pour info)
• Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person): an outdoor immersive tour, Hope Lodge, as of 10/13 there were only a few tickets left for the 8:30 and 9 pm tours (Lantern Tour info)

Sunday, October 17

• Open-Hearth Cooking Demonstration (in-person): chat with the cooks while they prepare recipes from William Penn's time, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (Pennsbury info)

Tuesday, October 19

• STEAM on the Rails (virtual): sessions take place today and Thursday featuring a range of topics in science, tech, engineering, arts and math presented by staff from multiple museums, Railroad Museum of PA, 10 am-3 pm each day (four 30-minute sessions), designed for students in grades K-6, tickets are by donation (STEAM info and ticket link)

Wednesday, October 20

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the sciences of digging in the ground, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, October 21

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about memory and logic and how we use them every day, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission, space is limited to so sign up at the Ground Floor Information Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info)
• PA History: Read It, See It (virtual): make a virtual visit to Pennsbury Manor and hear about relevant books at your library in this collaborative program from PHMC and the State Library of Pennsylvania, noon-1 pm (email ra-edmakerspace@pa.gov with your name and topic to receive link)

On Sale Now (tickets still available as of 10/13, but supplies may be limited)

• Graeme Park Haunted Lantern Tours, Oct. 22 and 29 (Oct. 22 tickets and Oct. 29 tickets)
• Workshops in Archaeology (virtual): this year's theme is "Hidden Stories: Uncovering African American History Through Archaeology and Community Engagement," The State Museum of PA, 9 am-5 pm (Workshop details and registration)
• Old Economy Village After Dark, Oct. 30 (Oct. 30 tickets)
• Joseph Priestley House Riverview Cemetery Tour, Oct. 30, tickets available at the site weekends 1-4 pm or by calling 570/473-9474 (JPH event info)

It's October - There's So Much To Do

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

A crackling fire at Conrad Weiser Homestead welcomes October (photo via CWH Facebook)

It might not be quite time for fireplaces yet, but it certainly looks cozy. There are lots of fall programs coming up this weekend and in the coming weeks. I hope you'll find something to suit your tastes on the Trails of History. Have a safe and healthy weekend!

The Week Ahead (virtual and in-person)

Today, October 1

• StoryTime (in-person): read "Bones, Bones Dinosaur Bones" by Byron Barton and learn about dinosaur exhibits, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, for kids age 2 to pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Learn at Lunchtime (in-person and virtual): artists Hee Sook Kim and Sanh Tran will talk about how they represent their Asian American identities in their work, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, included in regular admission or available via Zoom (Learn at Lunchtime info)

Saturday, October 2

• Erntedankfest (in-person): celebrate the harvest and enjoy food, music and family-friendly activities, Old Economy Village, 10 am-4 pm today and tomorrow, Oct. 3, regular admission fees apply (Erntedankfest info)

Sunday, October 3

• Living History Sunday & Fall Park Walk (in-person): explore local history and savor the fall weather, Conrad Weiser Homestead, noon-4 pm, park walk starts at 2 (CWH info)
• Historic Trades (in-person): learn about historic trades from demonstrators on site, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (Pennsbury info)
• Garden Railways Tour (in-person): visit garden railway layouts at homes and organizations around the Lancaster area, Railroad Museum of PA, 1-5 pm, tickets must be purchased in advance (Tour tickets)

Wednesday, October 6

• The Life of Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson (in-person): lunch and learn program presented by Wendy Long Stanley, Graeme Park, 10 am-2 pm, $30 includes program, breakfast, lunch, tours of Keith House, (lunch and learn registration)
• Explore! (in-person): learn about the importance of clean water in PA and beyond, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grade 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)

Thursday, October 7

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about 2-dimensional shapes and try to find them in the Art of the State exhibit, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)

On Sale Now

Tickets for the following in-person Fall programs are currently on sale (as of 9/29 - supplies may be limited):

• Ephrata Cloister Apple Dumpling Sales, Oct. 8-9, Oct. 1 is the last day to pre-order (link for ordering apple dumplings)
• Old Economy Village After Dark, Oct. 15 and 30 (Oct. 15 tickets and Oct. 30 tickets)
• Hope Lodge Halloween Lantern Tours, Oct. 16 (Lantern Tour info and tickets)
• Bushy Run Battlefield Haunted History Hayride, Oct. 23, tickets on sale as of noon Oct. 1 (Hayride info and tickets)
• Joseph Priestley House Riverview Cemetery Tour, Oct. 30, tickets available at the site weekends 1-4 pm or by calling 570/473-9474 (JPH event info)

Thinking About History

Looking for online events? Visit the new calendar on the PHMC website to find info about Trails of History programs. For virtual offerings available 24/7, visit the Trailheads Rec Room pages (to the right of your screen).

Rapp House Garden at Old Economy Village, October 2019 (photo AKF)

This has been a relatively quiet week for me (i.e. only one online meeting), and I've been able to catch up on and digest some of the sessions I watched (and some I missed) during the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) virtual conference. The theme of the conference was "What Kind of Ancestor Will You Be?" and sessions explored the work of museums and historic sites to better reflect and serve their communities. I've also had time to reflect on some of the work we're doing at PHMC to advance our Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) initatives and all the resource gathering I've worked on with my colleagues. There are many downsides to our sites and offices being closed, but an unexpected upside (for me anyway) has been the ability to have online conversations with staff across the agency and across the state. Bureaucratic lines have blurred somewhat, and I sense a stronger collective purpose around telling a more inclusive story of Pennsylvania. Will it be easy? No. Will we ever be finished? No, it's a journey. But I think (and hope) there's a new collaborative energy that can make a huge difference.

So as I basked in the chance to think this week, AASLH released the report of the first phase of their "Framing History with the American Public" project. Funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the project has three major goals: "1) to identify the gaps between experts' and the public's understanding of what history is and why it's valuable to society; 2) to develop and test new communcation strategies for solving those challenges; and 3) to create and deploy tools and resources to train history professionals in all sectors of our field to communicate more effectively with the public." The report, "Communicating about History: Challenges, Opportunities, and Emerging Recommendations," is available online.

"The brief notably uncovers the implicit connections that exist between privilege, power, and historical knowledge in US public thinking. It shows how mainstream historical narratives are often considered the default, while narratives of historically oppressed peoples are seen as 'optional' for many in the US public; and how people in positions of privilege tend to use their comfort level to determine what to learn and what to ignore about past injustices and trauma." ("Communicating about History: Challenges, Opportunities and Emerging Recommendations," page 2)

That's not the only finding in the report, but I think it's one of the most challenging. It speaks to something deeply ingrained and forces us (whether we're practitioners or consumers of history) to confront our "comfort levels" as we may not have done before. (One definition of privilege is "the stuff you don't have to think about.") I don't have any blinding insights on this, but I'm letting it simmer.

Fall color at Drake Well Museum and Park (photo via Facebook)

Honoring Indigenous History

In addition to the AASLH virtual conference, last week I also attended a webinar presented by the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) called "Elevating Indigenous Voices and Stories in Interpretation." The webinar featured interpreters and other staff from California State Parks, which has entered into an agreement with the Yurok Tribe that removes some of the barriers to the Yurok people's traditional uses of their ancestral lands. These lands include what is now Patrick's Point State Park (Trinidad, CA) and a reconstructed Yurok village that is interpreted to the public. The conversation was quite emotional at times and conveyed the power of people being able to tell their community's stories in their own way. I recommend this webinar to anyone interested in historic sites and the tremendous possibilities of historical interpretation; you can find it on NAI's Facebook page.

"You can't give people a voice. You can only silence yourself and let them speak." (Skip Lowry, CA State Parks interpreter at Sumeg Village and Yurok tribal member)

Closer to home, The State Museum of Pennsylvania's Virtual Workshops in Archaeology continue today and the next two Fridays, with online lectures around the theme "The Delaware Indians: Then and Now." Check The State Museum's Facebook page for details.

The Week Ahead

Photo courtesy Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

On Tuesday, Oct. 13, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania starts a three-part virtual education series, "STEAM on the Rails" (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). This week's sessions feature Chris O'Brien (Railroad Museum) on steam locomotives (10-10:30 am); Liz Bleacher (Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA) with an art program (10:30-11 am); Jennifer Kreszswick from Operation Lifesaver talking about railroad safety (2-2:30 pm); and Josh Roth (PA Lumber Museum) explaining logging equipment and simple machine concepts (2:30-3 pm). Tickets are by donation, and you must register to get the Zoom link. More sessions follow on Oct. 20 and 27, featuring Railroad Museum staff and staff from Anthracite Heritage Museum/Eckley Miners' Village, Drake Well Museum and Park, and Cornwall Iron Furnace. For details and to register, visit the Eventbrite page for this program.

According to this week's Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) foliage report, the coming week has most of the state at peak or near-peak fall color.

With funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (via PHMC), Eckley Miners' Village Associates are hiring a Project Manager/Fundraiser (one-year contract with possibility of renewal) to develop a sustainable new business model and management plan for the site. The person hired with work closely with PHMC staff, including the State Historic Preservation Office and Division of Architecture and Preservation. For a full project description and application instructions, visit Eckley's website. Deadline to apply is November 16, 2020 (contract begins January 1, 2021).

Photo via Bushy Run Battlefield Facebook page

Bushy Run Battlefield's popular Fall Tea will be mostly virtual this year. They are currently (through Oct. 24 or until sold out) accepting orders for their "Take Home Tea" package, which includes tea, baked goods, and a cup and saucer. Take Home Tea packages will be available for pick-up between 9 and 11 am on Nov. 7; there will be an online program for participants that afternoon. Visit the Facebook event for details.
 

On the Trails of History, October 18-31

Today’s post takes you through the end of the month. Look for the November program page later in the month.

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.

PA Lumber Museum education coordinator Anna Wales shows children around the lumber camp cook house at the 2018 Haunted Lantern Tours event (see below for this year's info)

 Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 19: Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces—this event explores the cultural roots of Halloween and other autumn festivals. This year's focus is Polish heritage and traditions. Visit the Facebook event page for ticket info and program updates. 6-10 pm at the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Oct. 20: Living History Sunday—enjoy the beautiful Olmsted-designed park, as well as guided historic tours of the site. Noon-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Oct. 26: Something More Saturday—the focus of this month's special activities is "Spooktacular Recycled Crafts." Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Oct. 18-19, 25-26: 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. See Facebook event page for more info. 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. 26: Little Mates Halloween Spooktacular—meet the captain of U.S. Brig Niagara, enjoy lunch, and peek behind the scenes at the museum. Free for members of the Little Mates Kids' Club (it's never too late to join, or you can pay the event fee). Check the Facebook event page for details and updates.

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

Graeme Park
Oct. 27: Living History Sunday—it's "Dress Like a Pirate Day" as you learn the story of Sir William Keith, colonial governor, and Blackbeard the Pirate. Pirate dress welcome, but not required; there will be a hunt for hidden treasure. Noon-3 pm.

Hope Lodge
Oct. 19: Halloween Lantern Tours—tour the mansion by lantern light and hear local ghost stories. Check the website or Facebook event page for updates on tickets and other details. 6-9 pm.
October 20 & 27: 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
Throughout the month of October: Craft Skills Workshops—numerous hands-on workshops for adult are scheduled. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration. Costs and times vary.
Oct. 24 & 31: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Visit the website for details and contact info.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 26: Halloween Activities—from 11 am to 3 pm, children 10 and under are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat among the historic buildings (details and registration info). From 7 to 9 pm, the 21 and older crowd can hear a variety of chilling tales (details and registration info).

Pennsbury Manor
October 20: Sunday programming—Open Hearth Cooking (the cooks will prepare a complete seasonal dinner for William and Hannah Penn). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Oct 27: 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. Pennsbury is partnering 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. 26: 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 (more info on the Facebook event page). Admission charged. 6-9 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Oct. 31: Tanks and TreatsUPDATE: this outdoor event has been cancelled due to weather—local businesses and community groups will be stationed along the Front Parade Ground walking path to give out treats for local youth. Businesses/groups must pre-register. No charge for youth attendees, and parking is free. 6-8 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 19: Trains and Treats—kids go from train to train to enjoy seasonal activities, tours, and treats. Costumes welcome. Included in regular admission. 9 am-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 19: Historic Halloween—trick-or-treating with a historical theme, following the site’s pathways by lantern light (details on the website). 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. 24: Nature Lab—learn about the Carboniferous Period and the formation of Pennsylvania's coal deposits. Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.
Oct. 27: Great Pumpkin Day—family-friendly Halloween-themed activities and entertainment (details on the website). Everyone pays the "child" admission rate today - that's $5 (see website for info on $1 discount for pre-registration). Please note that the Planetarium will be closed, and Curiosity Connection will have timed tickets (first come, first served). Noon-3 pm.

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

On the Trails of History, Oct. 4-17

If you're planning beyond Oct. 17, the full October program page is what you'll need.

Please note that most Trails of History sites will be closed on Oct. 14. Exceptions are noted below.

Old Economy Village will host the annual Erntedankfest Harvest Festival this weekend - see below for details (photo AKF)

Bushy Run Battlefield
Oct. 10: Historic Sewing Workshop Series—this series is open to people at all skill levels. Each workshop will have a one-hour of formal instruction on 18th- and 19th-century techniques, followed by an hour of open studio time to work on your own projects or practice in a group setting. Additional dates are Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. See the Facebook event page for details on how to register. 6-8 pm.
Oct. 16: History Speaks Series—the Loyalhannon Spinners will present a program entitled "Sheep to Shawl." Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door (members receive 10% discount). Contact the site at 724/527-5584 for tickets. 7 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Oct. 9: Friends Lecture Series—site administrator Michael Emery will present "Pennsylvania German Gravestones" (details on the website). Lectures take place in the auditorium of Freeman Community Center at Cornwall Manor Retirement Community. Program is free; donations are welcome. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Oct. 12: Exeter Township Fall Festival—the Homestead will host this year's festival (more info on Exeter Twp. website). 11 am-7 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Oct. 12: Pithole Lantern Tours—see the remains of a 19th-century oil boomtown, check out the visitor center, enjoy live music, and play 3-card monte (watch your wallet). Admission charged. Details, including link for online tickets, are on the Facebook event page. First tour starts at 6:30 pm, last one at 9:30.

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 11-12: Apple Dumpling Sale—enjoy a delicious PA Dutch tradition and support the Back to the Cloister Fund (which has helped to return more than 100 original furnishings and objects to the site). There is no admission charge to buy or pick up apple dumplings (regular admission applies if you want to tour the site). Pre-orders for 5 or more dumplings will be accepted, and free local delivery can be arranged for advance orders of 20 or more; call 717/733-6600. Fri., 9:30 am-4 pm; Sat., 9:30 am until sold out.
Oct. 13: Day of Music—the Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform music written at the site during the 1700s, Mark Herr will present a program about the Miller Reed Organ, and The Dolpehock Sanger Chor will sing traditional Pennsylvania Dutch folk songs (see website for performance schedule). All performances will take place in the 1741 Meetinghouse. Included in regular admission. Site is open noon-5 pm (guided tours will be available).

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on events and programs. Fort Pitt will be open on Oct. 14.

Graeme Park
Oct. 9: Lunch and Learn—Jim Rose and Mark Liss will present "The Bryn Athyn Train Wreck," exploring the 1921 tragedy that resulted in 27 dead and 70 injured (read more about the topic and the speakers). Cost is $30 per person ($25 for members) and includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Reservations are required; registration form is on the website. 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

Hope Lodge
October 6 & 13: 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
Throughout the month of October: Craft Skills Workshops—numerous hands-on workshops for adult are scheduled. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration. Costs and times vary.
Oct. 4: Paint Night—the Landis Valley Museum Store will host artist Michelle Verdegem for an evening to benefit the museum and the historic animal breeds who call it home. The subject for this event's painting is a colorful rooster. Registration is required; register online or download a form. 6:30 pm.
Oct. 12-13: 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. 11 am-5 pm.
Oct. 17: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Visit the website for details and contact info.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 5-6: Erntedankfest - A Harvest Festival—celebrate the fall harvest as artisans throughout the village cook, bake, and demonstrate their craft skills. Music, food, and family activities make this a great tradition. Included in regular admission. Sat., 10 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.
Oct. 11 & 16: Home School Days—explore the village at a special education rate of $5 per person. Registration is due by Oct. 9 for either program; check the website for more info. 1:30-3:30 both days.
Oct. 12: Straw Hat Making Class—Sarah Hershey McKee, who makes straw hats for museums and reenactors, will teach the essentials and get you started. The class is free, but space is limited. You must register by Oct. 4 (details on how to sign up). 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct 4: Escape Rooms—there are two scenarios to choose from, so please read the online ticket info carefully. Some time slots are sold out, but check to see if spaces are still available. Details on the website.
Oct 5: Monthly Book Club—this month's selection is Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth, chronicling her experiences in postwar London. Contact info is on the website. 10-11 am.
October 6 & 13: Sunday programming—Oct. 6, Historic Trades (the blacksmith, joyners, and spinners will demonstrate their skills); Oct. 13, 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.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct 12-13: Annual Fall Antique and Collectible Show—this event features dozens of vendors and supports the programs of the Lumber Museum. Other activities include sawmill operation (Saturday only); birch still, shingle mill, and blacksmithing demos; and food for purchase in the community room. $5 admission ($3 for kids) includes the show and all museum exhibits and activities. 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Oct. 6: Friends' Lecture Series—speaker is Jeffrey D. Wert, presenting a program on Civil War-era businesses that made significant contributions to the Union war effort and benefited from the need for goods. 2-3 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 6: Garden Railways Tour—this event features outdoor model train layouts at private residences and retirement communities around Lancaster County. Tickets ($10 per person for ages 6 and up) may be purchased at the museum, at any Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill store in central Pennsylvania, or online through EventBrite. The program flyer has more info; a list and map of participating locations will be provided with your ticket. 1-5 pm.
Oct. 14: Columbus Day—the museum is OPEN today. 9 am-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 12: Heinz Lecture Series—learn about the collection of "Mount Pleasant Glass" at Pittsburgh's Heinz History Center. Lecture is free, courtesy of sponsorship by The Fraternal Order of Eagles Somerset Aerie #1801. 2-4 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Check the Planetarium webpage for a full schedule of programs.
Oct. 4: Archaeology at Fort Hunter—this season's excavations by the State Museum archaeology team wrap up today. You can drop by between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to see what's up.
Oct. 4: StoryTime—this month's program, designed for kids age 3-5 with an adult, takes place in Nature Lab with a reading of I am NOT a Dinosaur! by Will Loach. Included in general admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
Oct. 10: Curiosity Kids—young visitors, ages 3-6, will experiment with building a nest from found materials. Included in general admission. 11:30 am.
Oct. 16: National Fossil Day—learn about "the Pleistocene era" in the Paleontology Gallery. Included in general admission. 12:15 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park calendar of events for details of this month's events and programs. WCHP will be open on Oct. 14.

Are You Ready?

The September program page has info on events through the end of the month. The October page will be up sometime next week for those of you who want to plan ahead.

Ready or not, the autumnal equinox happens today, Sept. 22, marking the beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere and spring in the southern hemisphere. While the warm temps we've had for the past week or so in PA make it still feel like summer, we are seeing signs of fall foliage. Reports are that the colors will be vibrant this year, which makes me happy. Fall is, I think, my favorite season and a mere glimpse of orange, red, and yellow leaves on a hillside can elevate my mood. For my fellow leaf nerds enthusiasts, in addition to following the PA Lumber Museum to see their posts (like the one above) you can check out the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. They monitor the state of foliage color in the, uh, state and post reports on their website (report for Sept. 21-27).

Speaking of readiness, did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? I did not. This month has certainly tested the preparedness of many people and communities. Sites and museums on the Trails of History have been working to update and maintain their disaster preparedness plans as a matter of good practice, as have our counterparts around the country. To help families with their own preparedness, ReadyPA offers suggestions and guidance on what to include in your personal plans.

In other news...
Google Alerts pointed me to a post on the Misericordia University (MU) website earlier this week. The article noted that senior history major Amber Kelley will present a paper at the upcoming Pennsylvania Historical Association annual meeting in Scranton. Kelley's paper is entitled "American Lithuanian Immigrants' Response to Soviet Union's Attack on Their Cultural Identity." As reported on Trailheads in July Amber interned this summer at the Anthracite Heritage Museum, working with curator John Fielding on a variety of projects, which she chronicled on MU's local history blog. MU's website explains that "AHM has a practice of suggesting its interns consider larger research projects related to their collections. Under [MU history professor Dr. Jennifer] Black's direction, Kelley expanded her summer work and developed the cultural identity research project." Congrats to Amber Kelley, Dr. Black, and the staff at AHM.

Atlas Obscura is a wonderful resource for learning about places all over the globe; they frequently feature museums and historic sites that you may not have heard of or visited. A recent post featured the Germantown Colony and Museum in Minden, Louisiana. Turns out the group that settled there in 1835 was originally part of the Harmony Society, whose last home is preserved as Old Economy Village, part of the Trails of History. About a third of the Harmony Society members left Economy in 1832, following the Count de Leon (who claimed to be the Messiah and to have discovered the secret of turning base metals into gold). They initially settled nearby (founding the town now known as Monaca). Some of that group accompanied Leon when he moved on to Louisiana (read the rest).

Porch column stabilization in process (via Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Facebook page)

PHMC's Preservation Construction Field Services staff Rob Coates and Dylan Shanta have been making repairs to the porch of the Landis Valley Hotel. The work involves stabilizing the porch columns (see detail above) and replacing some of the boards. Preservation of historic structures, keeping them available for the public, and sharing the stories of the people who built and used them is an ongoing process that requires resources, dedicated staff, passionate volunteers, and creativity.

Coming up this weekend...
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Sept. 23: Cast Iron Cooking Demonstration—learn about cast iron cooking pots and see them in use. The cooking aromas and demo are free. Regular admission fees apply for tours of the Furnace (see where cast iron comes from). Demonstration 11 am-3 pm; museum is open 9 am-5 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Sept. 23: Pittsburgh History Paddle—start with a brief tour of the museum's indoor exhibits, then set off on a kayak tour of landmarks related to Fort Pitt and the Point. Previous paddling experience is required, and you must register through Venture Outdoors. 9 am-1 pm.

Hope Lodge
Sept. 24: Whitemarsh Township History Tour—Hope Lodge will be one of the stops on this bus tour of local history. Tours begin and end at St. Thomas Church, Flourtown (details and info on how to register).

Old Economy Village
Sept. 23: Special programming—this week, Natural History. Included in regular admission, so please start at the Visitor Center. 11 am-4 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Sept. 22: Pairings at Pennsbury—ten courses of delicious food from local restaurants and chefs will be paired with local wines, beers, ciders, and spirits for a lovely evening on the grounds. Tickets are $50 per person; check the event page on the website for more info. 6-9 pm.
Sept. 24: Special programming—this week, Beer Brewing Sunday will find the brewers working on a traditional fall beer PLUS you can learn about the past, present, and future of cider. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Sept. 23-24: Then & Now Military Timeline Program—explore a range of military uniforms and equipment from the 18th century to the present. Battle dress uniform show and weapons demos at 1 pm each day. 10 am-4 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Sept. 23: Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day—visit the Museum Day website to download your ticket, then present it at the Railroad Museum (or other participating museum) for two free admissions. Museum open 9 am-5 pm.

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.

While I'm Away

Trailheads is taking a little fall vacay this week, so how about a quick list of events coming up this weekend? (Full list of October programs.) Since I won't be here to update this list (accurate as far as I know as of Oct. 6, your honor), please check ahead in the event of bad weather or other circumstances I can't foresee (i.e. please don't blame me if it's rained out). See you next week!

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 15: Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces—experience ethnic traditions from Scranton's past and present, food, music, a pumpkin-carving contest, and a roaring bonfire. Visit the Bonfire Facebook page for ticket info and program updates. 6-10 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Oct. 16: Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk—enjoy the beautiful Olmsted-designed park, as well as guided historic tours of the site. Free admission. Noon-4 pm (park walk is at 2).

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 16: Sunday Conversations Series—Nick Siegert, guide supervisor, will talk about "The Sacred Geometry of the Ephrata Cloister." No fee for the presentation; regular admission rates apply to tour the site. 3-4 pm.

Hope Lodge
Oct. 16: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open 12:30-4 pm, with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Oct. 15: Folk Art and Friendship Series—"Sweet as Sin: The History of Candy," with author Susan Benjamin; cost is $25 (includes samples!). More information and registration materials for this class (and others coming up) are on the website.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct. 16: Open Hearth Cooking—today's event (compares recipes from William Shakespeare's time with those of William Penn, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct. 16: PALMA Annual Meeting—open to members of the PA Lumber Museum Associates (but you can always join if you aren't already a member), the meeting will feature a screening of the documentary America's First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experiment. Schenck, who founded the first forestry school in the U.S., is featured in the Lumber Museum's award-winning exhibit, "Challenges and Choices in Pennsylvania's Forests," alongside notable Pennsylvania conservationists Mira Lloyd Dock, Gifford Pinchot, and Joseph Rothrock. 1 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 14: Learn@Lunchtime Program—today's program is Happy Birthday, William Penn. Included in general admission. 12:15-12:45 pm.
Oct. 14: Night of the Great Pumpkin—Tonight's family-friendly Halloween-themed event includes a visit from Triple-J Reptiles, along with crafts, a planetarium show, and other seasonal fun. Admission is free. 5:30-7:30 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Oct. 16: Autumn Encampment and Market—this event combines an 18th-century style marketplace with Revolutionary era military drills. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children age 5-11 (also includes admission to the Thompson-Neely House and Bowman's Hill Tower). 10 am-4 pm (rain or shine).

Pulitzer Prize Winner to Speak at Anthracite Heritage Museum

Please check out the November program listings to see what else is happening on the Trails of History this weekend.

Tomorrow afternoon, Nov. 14, from 3:15 to 4:45, composer Julia Wolfe will talk about her Pulitzer Prize-winning oratorio, Anthracite Fields, at the Anthracite Heritage Museum (AHM) in Scranton. As noted in an article in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, Wolfe conducted some of her research at the museum, including interviewing AHM docent Barbara Powell about her experiences growing up in the hard coal region. Wolfe told Times Leader reporter Mary Therese Biebel that her conversations with Powell provided the inspiration for the "Flowers" portion of the oratorio, shedding light on ways that mining families added beauty to their daily lives.

Anthracite Fields, which won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Music, was commissioned by the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia through Meet the Composer’s Commissioning Music/USA program, made possible by generous support from the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Helen F. Whitaker Fund. Additional support was made possible through the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia Alan Harler New Ventures Fund, The Presser Foundation, The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music.

Bang on a Can All Stars (photo provided by Wyoming Seminary)

Bang on a Can All Stars and the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, conducted by Julian Wachner, will perform Anthracite Fields tomorrow night, 7:30 pm, at Wyoming Seminary's Kirby Center for the Creative Arts, Kingston (Wolfe will give a pre-concert talk at 6:30). Tickets are $10 online or at the door, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Anthracite Heritage Museum.

To learn more about Anthracite Fields and composer Julia Wolfe, check out this interview on NPR's "All Things Considered," visit Bang on a Can's website, or watch this brief clip:



In Other News...

On a related note, the State Museum's "Pennsylvania Icons" exhibit has opened. Among the objects are items carried by Marilyn McCusker, a roof bolter helper who became the first woman killed in a deep-mine accident when the roof of the Rushton Mine (Centre County) collapsed on Oct. 2, 1979. McCusker was a bituminous (soft coal) miner, but her story is similar in many ways to those told in the anthracite region about the dangers of mining.

Although leaf peeping season is pretty much over, there are still plenty of reasons to visit PA's northern tier. A new driving tour designed by the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park Association features locations and public art related to the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Lumber Heritage Region (the map was supported by LHR and other entities). Of course, one of the stops is the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, whose new exhibit (that I might have mentioned once or twice here in Trailheads) includes a section on the CCC and its legacy in northern PA. What I haven't mentioned (I don't think) is that the Visitor Center at the Lumber Museum will now be open year-round, so if you're in the area, be sure to stop in.

If you're more of an armchair tourist, you might want to see what's happening in Bucks County with new Google Street View Trekker tours that include Washington Crossing Historic Park. It took me a little while to figure out the navigation, but it was interesting once I did. Not a replacement, in my opinion, for being there in person, but a useful tool for anyone wanting to preview a visit.

Wrapping Up Fall Before Winter Arrives

Yeah, yeah. I know most of you have had snow already, some of it shovelable. But until December 21 at 6:03 pm EST, it's not officially winter. And don't get me started on the non-stop Christmas music playing everywhere I go. (Harrumph.)

The December program preview appeared in last week's post, so be sure to check it out if you missed it (on Dec. 5, the link is just to your right if you're reading this on a PC). I'll be updating as necessary, but it's always a good idea to check with sites before attending events (or just stopping by for a visit), especially when weather may be a factor. There are numerous events scheduled for this weekend, so if you have time, you can probably find something to suit.

"A First Class Restaurant on Wheels" exhibit at Railroad Museum of PA (photo by AKF)

If you haven't yet seen the Dining Car exhibit at the Railroad Museum of PA, or the Chairs exhibit at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, you have until Dec. 31 (if I've missed others closing at the end of December, please let me know.)



"Chairs! Chairs! Chairs!" exhibit at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (photo by AKF)

Two of the 10 finalists (out of 238 submissions) in the Ephrata Merchants Association #Ephratagram photo contest (on Instagram) are photos taken on site at Ephrata Cloister. And 1 of the 5 honorable mentions was as well. Clearly lots of people in the area recognize the beauty of the site. The staff and volunteers at Ephrata have been working closely with Ephrata Merchants Association to promote the site and the town.

And speaking of photographs, Eckley Miners' Village recently announced the winner of this year's Fall Foliage photo contest. Lorraine Smith of Hanover Township (Luzerne County) was selected from among the entries for her photo capturing the warm colors of an autumn day in the village. Congratulations to Lorraine and all the participants.

On a different note, yesterday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured an article ("Beer: Thirsty for an old one?") about a cool partnership between Old Economy Village and Dan Woodske, of Beaver Brewing Co. in Beaver Falls. Using a translated Harmonist recipe, ca. 1816, Woodske brewed a batch of schwarzbier ("black lager"). Of the 45 gallons brewed, 10 were donated to Old Economy and will be available for tasting by folks with tickets to the Dec. 10 Holiday Dinner (today, Dec. 5, is the deadline for reservations, if there are tickets still available). The rest sold out at Woodske's Beaver Brewing Co. brewpub before Thanksgiving. Old Economy staff also worked with staff at New Harmony, Indiana (home of the Harmony Society prior to their move back to Pennsylvania in the 1820s), on this project, since the recipe had changed hands some years ago. If you like beer, the photo alone is worth checking out the article, in my opinion. Thank goodness it's the weekend!

October 2014 on the Trails of History

Most sites will be closed on Oct. 13 for Columbus Day, but please check the schedule for those that will be open.

"Three Generations of Employees," photo by John Horgan, Jr. (1859-1926), courtesy of Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 18: Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces—experience ethnic traditions from Scranton's past and present, food, music, and a roaring bonfire. Visit the Bonfire Facebook page for ticket deals and updates. 6-10 pm.
Oct. 26: Remember Johnny Mitchell Day—this annual event honors John Mitchell, president of the United Mine Workers of America during the anthracite coal strikes of 1900 and 1902. As part of the day's activities, Robert Thomas Hughes will present "The Miner's Tale," a theatrical production he wrote and regularly performs. Admission is $5 and includes the museum exhibits as well as the play. Museum is open noon-5 pm; the play is at 2 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Oct. 4: Fall Nature Walk—join Bushy Run volunteers and nature enthusiasts Bob Learzaf and Dave Browning to enjoy a walk and learn about the flora and fauna of western PA. Cost is $5 (free to members of Bushy Run Battlefield Heritage Society). 10 am.
Oct. 18: Haunted History Hayride—Prepaid reservations are required; tickets are on sale now. Call 724/527-5584 to place your order (leave a message with name, phone number, and number of tickets requested). 7-10 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Oct. 5: Site open—it’s the first Sunday of the month, so the site will be welcoming visitors from noon to 4 pm.
Oct. 19: Weiser Interpretive Sunday and Fall Park Walk—enjoy the beautiful Olmsted-designed park, as well as hourly historic tours of the site. Free admission. Noon-4 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Oct. 19: Heritage Day—this annual event includes craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, horse-drawn wagon rides, a program on fly fishing in the 1700s, and much more. Admission: $8 (age 13-64), $6 (age 65+), $5 (age 5-12) (Friends of Daniel Boone Homestead get in free). 10 am-4 pm.
Oct. 24 & 25: Haunted Homestead Tour—this evening program will include Halloween-themed guided walking tours of the historic area; program is intended for ages 8 and up. Admission is $6; combo tickets include admission to the Oct. 26 program as well. 7-10 pm.
Oct. 26: Halloween at the Homestead—there will be loads of activities for kids and their families, including trick-or-treating (costumes encouraged). Admission: $6 (age 13+), $4 (age 5-12) (Friends of DBH get in free). Noon-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Oct. 4: Drake Well by Moonlight—experience a special nighttime tour of the site, meet historical figures, and enjoy period music and seasonal refreshments. Tours last approx. one-and-a-half hours and cover about 1 mile, so please wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight (more details on the website). First tour starts at 6:30 pm, with tours departing every 10 minutes until 9:30.
Oct. 25: Family Day and Oil Valley Blacksmiths—loads of activities for families and the last of the monthly blacksmithing meetings and demos for the season. Included in museum admission. Site open 9 am-5 pm (blacksmiths on site until 2).

Eckley Miners’ Village
Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25: Halloween Lantern Tours—tour groups walk through the 19th-century village and encounter funny, scary, and entertaining scenes (photos from previous years). Bring your own flashlight. (Info on rain dates and how to check for schedule changes.) Admission: $10 (age 13+), $5 (age 6-12); this event is family-oriented but not recommended for children younger than 6. First tour leaves the visitor center at 6:30 pm, the last at 9 pm sharp.

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 8: Storytime—preschoolers and their adults enjoy a story and a related craft or activity. Cost is $6 for one adult and one child (age 3-5), $3 for each additional child, and includes site admission as well. Free to Family-level members of Ephrata Cloister Associates (or you can present a Museum Pass from the Library System of Lancaster County).
Oct. 10-11: Apple Dumpling Days—celebrate autumn, support the Back to the Cloister Fund (which helps to return original furnishings and objects to the site), and enjoy a wonderful Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. Saturday, Oct. 11, is also a Day of Music, featuring the Ephrata Cloister Chorus performing at 2, 3, and 4 pm. Site tours and Day of Music performances included in regular admission; no admission fee to purchase apple dumplings. 9:30 am-4 pm.
Oct. 17: Community Days—this popular program is an educational open house, with learning stations scattered around the site. Students and their accompanying adults move at their own pace as they explore the activities. Admission: $6 for age 3-17; one adult admitted free with every 10 students; additional adults, $9 each. Reservations are strongly encouraged; call 717/733-6600. 9:30 am-1 pm.
Oct. 17-18, 24-25: Mysterious, Melancholy, and Macabre—this year's program draws from some of the classics of Gothic literature. Advanced tickets (age 18+, $12; age 3-17, $10; discounts for ECA members) are recommended, call 717/733-6600. Two performances each night, 7 and 8:30 pm.
Oct. 25: Gideon's Bones—families (you can come in costume if you like) can explore the history of Ephrata Cloister, gather clues, complete projects, and trick-or-treat along the way (please bring a small bag for treats). Geared for children 13 and younger; cost is $6 for one adult and one child, $3 for each additional child (free to family-level members of ECA).

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
UPDATE (something I missed): Oct. 23: Special presentation on the Civil War Submarine H.L. Hunley—Jon Tirpak will speak about the history, recovery, and preservation of the Hunley, the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat (read more about it). The talk will be preceded by a cocktail reception. Tickets are $20 ($15 for Flagship Niagara League members); to reserve your spot, contact Andrew Adamus, 814/452-2744 x 225 or outreach@flagshipniagara.org.

Graeme Park
Oct. 8 and 15: Lunch and Learn Lecture Series—enjoy continental breakfast, a thought-provoking program, and lunch. Oct. 8 program is "To Normandy and Back Again," with Herbert F. Levy, AIA, speaking about his experiences in the Corps of Engineers in WWII and his recent return visit as part of the 70th Anniversary commemoration of D-Day. On Oct. 15, Kellee Green Blake, retired director of the National Archives, Mid-Atlantic Region, will present "They were Soldiers, Too: Researching Civil War Women on the Home Front." More details and a registration form are on the program flyer.
UPDATE 10/07/14: per Graeme Park's Facebook page, this event has been cancelled Oct. 12: Brews, Blues and BBQ a new event featuring craft brews and ciders, food by Joey G's Deli, and music by Scoville Blues. Must be 21 or over to attend; advance ticket purchase recommended (no guarantee that tickets will be available at the door). See the program flyer for details. 1-4 pm.
Oct. 24: Moonlight Tales—see the Keith House by night and listen to spooky stories. Admission is $15 per person (includes refreshments). Performances at 7 pm and 8 pm.

Hope Lodge
UPDATE (I missed these earlier) Oct. 19: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open 12:30-4 pm, with guided tours at 1, 2, and 3 pm. Admission charged.
UPDATE 10/20 - This event as been postponed, so stay tuned for a new date. Oct. 25: Hope Lodge Beerfest for Educational Innovation—visit the website for details. 1-4 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Oct. 11-12: Harvest Days—a classic special event and a great way to celebrate the coming of fall. Loads of demonstrations and activities for the whole family in a beautiful setting. Admission: age 12-64, $12; age 65+, $10; age 6-11, $8; free parking. 11 am-5 pm.
Oct. 16 & 30: Hands-on History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Admission: $10 per person (Landis Valley Associates members and children 5 and younger get in free). 10 am-3 pm.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 18: Trades Workshop—this is an opportunity to learn about crafts and trades of the Harmonists and try your hand as well. Visit the website for details. 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct. 5: Historic Trades—your last chance for this season to visit the blacksmith and joyner as they demonstrate their skills with metal- and woodworking. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Oct. 12: Living History Theater—you are invited to join Penn’s steward and housekeeper, John Sotcher and Mary Lofty, as they are united in marriage according to 17th-century Quaker wedding customs. Sign the wedding certificate and chat with William Penn and other guests. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Oct. 19: Open Hearth Cooking—the cooks will have the oven fired up and the aroma of freshly baked bread will be everywhere. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
Oct. 26: Family Halloween and Living History Theater—enjoy trick-or-treating, traditional fall activities, and games. There will also be a living history theater presentation of the 1684 trial of Margaret Mattson, accused of witchcraft by some of her neighbors. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct 11-12: 33rd Annual Fall Antique and Collectible Show—this semi-annual event supports the programs of the Lumber Museum, and this year includes a chance to see the newly renovated and expanded Visitor Center. Admission charged. 10 am-4:30 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 5: Garden Railways Tour—this event features outdoor model train layouts at private residences or retirement communities in Lancaster County. Tickets ($10 per person for ages 6 and up) may be purchased at the museum or at any Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill store in central Pennsylvania. The Garden Railways Tour flyer has more info; a map of participating locations will be provided with your ticket. 1-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 25: Historical Halloween—Trick-or-treating with a historical theme, following the site’s pathways by lantern light. Admission: $5 per car. Please bring canned goods for the local food pantry (UPDATE) and an apple to feed the cider press. 5-8 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 15: Learn@Lunchtime and National Fossil Day—explore fossils from the Mesozoic Era in the museum's "Life through Time" gallery with volunteer Sid Hostettler. Museum admission is free during the hours of the event. 11 am-1:30 pm.
Oct. 17: Night of the Great Pumpkin—enjoy planetarium shows, creative pumpkin carving, storytime, crafts and snacks during this family-friendly event (UPDATE 10/9/14: press release has more details). Admission is free in conjunction with 3rd in the Burg. 6-9 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Oct. 5: Artist Reception—meet Pennsylvania artist Ed Kane, this month's featured artist in the Museum Store. He works primarily with watercolors, charcoals, and ink to depict historic structures throughout the Philadelphia region. 1-4 pm.
Oct. 19: Afternoon Concert Series—"Practitioners of Musick" will perform 17th- and 18th-century music on the recorder and harpsichord in the auditorium of the Visitor Center. More info (including ticket prices) is on Facebook. 2 pm.
Oct. 24: Films at the Farmstead—tonight's seasonally appropriate feature is Hotel Transvlvania. Bring your blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy a movie on the lawn of the Thompson-Neely House (upper park). Cost is $5 per person for ages 5 and up; popcorn and other concessions will be available. 7-10 pm (movie starts at dusk).
UPDATE, ADDITIONAL PROGRAM Oct. 26: Lecture—Rick Wiggins will present a talk entitled "Embattled Farmers: Campaigns and Profiles of Revolutionary Soldiers from Lincoln, Mass., 1775-1783." Visitor Center. Free of charge. 1 pm.

One More September Weekend

I've been updating the September program listings post, but I still missed a couple of events. The October preview isn't fully baked yet, so I'm also noting items below that you might want to consider before the next Trailheads.

Garden at Eckley Miners' Village last week. Info on how to enter Eckley's fall foliage photo contest is on the website
 (photo by AKF)

In addition to other activities going on at Pennsbury Manor this coming Sunday afternoon, the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation will host a reception for members. Meet Kyle Weaver, the new editor of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine, and take a tour with site administrator Doug Miller. Free to PHF members or included in site admission. Pennsbury is open noon to 5 pm on Sunday, with living history and beer brewing activities scheduled from 1 to 4 pm. The PHF reception will take place from 2 to 4 pm, with the director's tour at 3 pm.

UPDATED INFO (another item I missed): The Hardtackers, a folk music group known for their renditions of old and new sea shanties, will perform a free, family-friendly concert Saturday, Sept. 27, while they film a concert DVD. The concert will take place at 7:30 pm in Hirt Auditorium at the Erie Maritime Museum. Monday, Sept. 29, (and the last Monday of each month) is Story Time at the Maritime. Erie Maritime Museum will present the program at 10 am; this month's featured book is The Littlest Lighthouse Keeper. Attendees will have a chance to meet and greet guest reader Lance the Lighthouse Keeper and take a tour of the museum. More info is available on the museum's Facebook page.

Graeme Park's Lunch & Learn Lecture Series kicks off on Wednesday, October 1, and continues on Oct. 8 and 15. The program for October 1 is "Your Appointment with Dr. Benjamin Rush," featuring Dr. Jim Miller as Dr. Rush, discussing the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. The program fee is $20 per lecture or $50 for the series; each program includes continental breakfast, lecture, lunch, and a tour of the Keith House. More details are available on the program flyer.

Tickets for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's annual Garden Railways Tour (Sunday, Oct. 5) are on sale now at the museum and at Stauffer's of Kissel Hill locations throughout central PA. Private homes, including retirement communities, will showcase their G-scale model train layouts. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon touring the countryside around Lancaster County. And there's more. Each ticket holder can enter a drawing for one of two G-scale starter kits provided by Bachmann Trains, to use if you feel inspired to start your own garden railway. Details are on the program flyer.

Please check back here next week for the October program listings. In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely weekend.