Summer Break and Other Odysseys

The June program page is now up and running.

Even for those of us who don't have kids in school and whose school days are long behind us (show of hands?), the end of the school year signals the beginning of summer. Plus it's now hurricane season, so that counts as summer as well, even though the solstice isn't until the 21st.

Summer is the busiest time of year for most sites on the Trails of History. You'll find lots of programs, summer camps, craft workshops. It's a great time to take advantage of outdoor activities at sites, exploring gardens and trails and enjoying numerous festivals. The June program page will get you started with this month's activities, but find your favorite site on social media to get a look at the whole summer.

The Trails of History participate in the Blue Star Museums program, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, providing free regular admission for active duty military and their families. Actually the Trails of History offer that deal all year, so if you know folks who qualify, please be sure to point them in our direction.

Family museum pass programs are available in several parts of the state. While details vary, families can check out a pass good for free general admission and hold onto it for a week. It's a great way for families to explore their local museums. At least one of our sites also noted that the pass had encouraged older visitors as well. Erie Maritime Museum passes are available through the Erie County Library System. Pennsylvania Lumber Museum passes can be found through the Potter-Tioga Library System and the S.W. Smith Library in Port Allegany. Ephrata Cloister, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, and the Railroad Museum of PA are all part of the Library System of Lancaster County Family Museum Pass program. Check it out!

While visiting our sites during the summer (or anytime), we love it when you share your photos. You can do so via sites' Facebook pages or Twitter feeds; some are on Instagram as well. There are often also local or regional opportunities, such as the summer 2017 Bucks County photo and video challenge, promoted here by Pennsbury Manor.


In other news...

Today, June 2, 11 am-4 pm, the Railroad Museum of PA is hosting a blood drive in cooperation with the Central PA Blood Bank (details). In addition to the feeling of doing good for others, donors will receive one free adult admission to the museum and a pair of ticket vouchers for a Lancaster Barnstormers home game during the current season. If you're in the central PA area but can't donate today, visit the blood bank's website for info on additional opportunities.

June 8 is the deadline to register for the Lumber Museum's free Youth and Family Field Day, scheduled for Saturday, June 10. You can find more info and registration details on the museum's Facebook page. Did I mention the event is free? But, you must pre-register.

Today through June 8, the Cinemark Tinseltown in Erie will run a promo for daysails on the U.S. Brig Niagara before all movie showings. Enjoy!

Where would I be without Facebook?

There's always a lot of activity on the PHMC's Trails of History. We have regular operating hours with guided tours and "free range" visitor experiences. We have special events and public programs (see the June program page, for example). I've highlighted a few of these below, in addition to some things that don't really fit into an easy category. But I thought you might be interested, if you haven't already run across them.

Photo courtesy of PA Lumber Museum Facebook page 

To entice all you hikers and walkers, the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum posted photos of trails on the museum grounds and adjacent Susquehannock State Forest. If you go, don't forget to check out the Visitor Center, Logging Camp, Sawmill, and other great venues on the site as well. And remember that the annual Bark Peelers' Festival is coming up July 2-3.

Somerset Historical Center is hosting an exhibit of winning entries in the Laurel Highlands Photography Club's 2016 contest. An opening reception was held earlier this week, where the winning entries were revealed. Entries were submitted by amateur and professional photographers in about a dozen categories (you can find the list on the club's Facebook page). The exhibit will be up through June 28.

If you're planning to attend Brews and Bites at Pennsbury Manor tomorrow evening, June 18 (tickets are still available by phone), you'll have a chance to taste a bit of the 17th century. In addition to a wide array of local brews, you can sample cider made from a recipe belonging to Gulielma Springett Penn, William's first wife. "Penn's 74" is made by Blackledge Winery. You can also sample site-brewed beer based on 17th-century recipes (brewing demos are offered on Sunday afternoons through much of the year, but you normally don't get to sample the product).

Photo courtesy of Landis Valley's Facebook page

Earlier this week, as part of Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Summer Institute, volunteer Bob Goodhart (in short-sleeved plaid shirt) led a tour of the kitchen gardens on a lovely summer evening. Check out Landis Valley's Facebook page for more photos of Summer Institute activities.

On Wednesday, June 22, The State Museum of PA will host a lunchtime talk by author and archivist Valerie Frey, who will share her insights on preserving family recipes and analyzing the history found in them. She will also sign copies of her book, Preserving Family Recipes: How to Save and Celebrate Your Food Traditions. The program is part of the Museum's "Learn at Lunchtime" series (included in general admission) and will take place in Village Square from noon to 1 pm.

Photo courtesy of Cornwall Iron Furnace Facebook page

Members of the 2016 class of Leadership Lebanon Valley toured Cornwall Iron Furnace this week to learn more about the history of the region. In the photo above, board member Sue Dieffenbach (left of photo near the great wheel) explains how air was blown into the furnace to help it reach the temps necessary for producing iron.

And finally, a public service announcement. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, in cooperation with the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, will host a community blood drive next Friday, June 24, from 10 am to 4 pm. All blood types are needed; generally anyone 16 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds, and in good health can donate (more details). As a thank you, blood donors will receive a coupon for a donut from Sugar on Top bakery in Strasburg (good thru 7/31/16) and a free adult admission to the Railroad Museum (good thru 12/31/16). Please consider donating if you can. UPDATE: I just saw that donors also get a free adult admission to the Choo Choo Barn, which is just up the road from the museum.