5 Things to Keep Your Mind Off the Weather

Please be sure to check the April program page for upcoming events and programs.

So the winter/spring/winter/spring roller coaster continues. I don't know about you, but I'm done. Not going to talk about the weather anymore. Nope. Not me. Let's think about other stuff.

U.S. Brig Niagara captain Billy Sabatini throws a curling stone on the Erie Maritime Museum plaza as ship uprig continues (via Facebook)

1) Despite the weather (so I lied), work has commenced to get the U.S. Brig Niagara ready for the 2018 sailing season. Follow U.S. Brig Niagara on Facebook to see more photos (or this video).

2) This year marks the 50th anniversary of the production of The Molly Maguires (released in 1970), parts of which were filmed in a real anthracite patch town during the summer of 1968. The attention and local pride generated an effort to preserve the town, which became Eckley Miners' Village, part of the PHMC's Trails of History. Multiple events are planned to celebrate the occasion and raise funds to support the historic site's programming (check Eckley's Facebook page for more info). In addition, the Hazleton Standard-Speaker wants to hear from people who worked as extras on the film or otherwise have memories from the movie set (learn how to share your memories in this article).

3) The National Association for Interpretation (NAI), a professional organization focused on cultural and natural heritage interpreters, is launching a virtual race this summer to raise funds. Participants are encouraged to do a 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon anywhere they like (even a treadmill) any day in June. They're particularly suggesting that people go to their favorite park, hiking trail, or heritage site. I think it's a great way to enjoy the Trails of History. Learn more about how to sign up and get your race bib on NAI's event page. Then pick your favorite Trails of History site and plan your day - please let the site know (or leave a comment on this post) so we can join the fun.

4) John Fea, author, professor, and scheduled speaker for the upcoming PA Museums conference, shared an article recently on his blog, "The Way of Improvement Leads Home," that may be of interest. Sarah Anne Carter's article for the Los Angeles Review of Books, "Scooby Doo in the Museum," explores ways objects and material culture were presented in the popular cartoon series.

5) In honor of Opening Week of Major League Baseball (anyone else watch the Pittsburgh Pirates play baseball in the snow Wednesday night?), the Library of Congress announced the online release of Branch Rickey's papers. As you know if you follow baseball history, Rickey's contributions to the sport include the development of the "farm system" and hiring Jackie Robinson to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Rickey papers include scouting reports for numerous players, such as Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Willie Mays.

On This Day in History - April 6
Innovation Edition

• 1869 - 1st plastic, Celluloid, patented
• 1889 - George Eastman begins selling his Kodak flexible rolled film for the first time
• 1930 - Hostess Twinkies invented by bakery executive James Dewar
• 1938 - Teflon invented by Roy J. Plunkett
• 1954 - TV Dinner was 1st put on sale by Swanson & Sons
• 1980 - Post It Notes introduced

What are you doing this weekend?

If you're like me, you spent last weekend indoors, glued to the couch, just trying to stay warm. Not that it wasn't productive. I knitted a hat, baked a batch of brownie-cupcakes, and got through the first season (and part of the second) of Gilmore Girls. That's me, always on the cutting edge of popular culture (at this time last year, my husband and I were binge-watching Mad Men to get caught up before its final episodes). So maybe you're looking for something to do this weekend. I've pulled some highlights from the February program listings to make it easier for you to decide what to do. You're most welcome.

George Washington will celebrate his birthday this Sunday at Washington Crossing Historic Park

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Feb. 21: Lackawanna Audubon Society—speaker Joe DeMarco will talk about "Birding in California." Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2:30 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Feb. 21: Fireside Tales—children ages 4-8 and their families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of storytelling in the Wayside Lodge, with a reading of Go Ask the Wise Woman, an Irish tale told at night fires. Dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket if it’s really chilly. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Suggested donation, $2; regular admission is charged for touring the Boone Homestead and the historic area. 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Feb. 20: Something More Saturday—this month, the "something more" is the popular sledding party at historic Pithole. Refreshments will be available. Weather permitting and donations welcome. Start at the Pithole Visitor Center, 14118 Pithole Rd, Pleasantville, PA. 11 am-2 pm. This event was rescheduled from Feb. 13 because of the dangerously cold temps. They got more than a foot of snow earlier this week, so they should be good to go. Nevertheless, it's always prudent to check ahead to be sure.

There will be curling at Erie's Wintertime at the Maritime!

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Feb. 19: Wintertime at the Maritime—shake those winter blahs with live music, heated tents, hors d'oeuvres, and adult beverages. Must be 21 or older to attend. Details on Niagara's Facebook page. 6-10 pm.
Feb. 21: Lecture and Movie Series—the museum will show the new documentary A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned: The Fitzgerald and Her Legacy, produced by the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Nov. 1975. Immediately following, Chris Gillcrist, executive director, NMGL, will present "Tales from the Cutting Room Floor" and take questions from the audience. Event takes place in the H.O. Hirt Auditorium, starting at 2 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Feb. 20: Tole Painting Workshop—learn about this traditional technique and paint a decorative wooden box, inspired by one in the museum's collection. Cost is $30, $25 for members. Call 814/445-6077 to register. 10 am-3 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Feb. 21: Artist Conversation—tour "PA Modern: A Photography Exhibit of Midcentury Architecture" with exhibit co-curator Carol Buck and Preservation PA executive director Melinda Crawford. The tour will focus on the architecture of the State Museum and Archives Complex, as reflected in the exhibit (which runs through April 24). Included in regular admission. 2 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Feb. 20: Lecture and Book-signing—Fergus M. Bordewich will be on hand to sign and speak about his book, The First Congress. Bordewich's previous book, America's Great Debate, won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History. Admission to the event is $30 per couple and includes a copy of the book. Free admission for students and active or retired military does not include the book, but books may be purchased on site. Only books purchased on site or included in registration will be signed by the author at the event. Reservations are required - by calling 215/493-4076 or in person at the Visitor Center (open daily 10 am-5 pm). 4 pm.
Feb. 21: George Washington's Birthday Celebration—children are encouraged to bring homemade cards for GW, who will be marking his 284th birthday. At 2 pm, the General will be on hand to receive birthday wishes and cut the birthday cake, which he will share with well-wishers. Admission is $1. 11 am-3 pm.