Fall Begins

Denton Hill as seen from the grounds of the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (photo via the Lumber Museum's Facebook page)

Now that it is both meteorological and astronomical autumn, it's time to start tracking Pennsylvania's beautiful fall foliage. As you can see in the photo above, the leaves are just starting to change color at the PA Lumber Museum, in the northern tier. So there's still time to plan your leaf-peeping road trips. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) posts a weekly update with maps showing where to see fall color at its best. Be sure to also check out events on the PA Trails of History to round out your autumn travels.

Up Next

Sunday, October 1

• Living History Sunday (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• The Homestead will host the Archbury Foundation, a Berks County-based group who interpret the period 1935-1945, with emphasis on World War II. Admission is free, and donations are welcome (Living History Sunday info).

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Our blacksmiths, joyners, and spinners will be eager to talk to you about their work and its importance during Penn's time. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades program info).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

Tuesday, October 3

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. At 3:30 pm on Oct. 3, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Oct. 3 Sensory Hours).

Friday, October 6

• Apple Dumpling Days (in-person); Friday, 9 am-3 pm, and Saturday, 9 am-sold out; Ephrata Cloister
• Apple Dumplings will be for sale via a drive-through tent near the Museum Store. Cost is $5.50 per dumpling and proceeds benefit the Back to the Cloister Fund. Pre-orders accepted (Apple Dumpling sale info).

• Storytime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us to read Dinosaur Bones by Bob Barner to find out fun facts about some favorite dinosaurs and create dinosaur art to take home. For ages 3 to 5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (State Museum Storytime info).

• POSTPONED History Storytime (in-person); 11 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• The first Friday of each month will feature a different history topic, with a related craft activity. Designed for preschool and kindergarten ages (Boone Homestead Storytime info).

• Benjamin Franklin's Inventions (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Celebrate the 300th Anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s arrival to Pennsylvania. Explore the innovations that Franklin used to improve his and the lives around him. Create your own Pennsylvania Gazette. Included in regular admission (Ben Franklin program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Frosty Mugs of Thunder (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 7, 2-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Kick off autumn with a beer, wine, and spirits fest. Live music and local food, as well. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend; ticket holders must show photo ID at the entrance (Frosty Mugs of Thunder info and tickets).

• Trails of History Run (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 8, 9 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Run through the historic Daniel Boone Homestead and experience the same trails Daniel explored as a child. Runners do one or two 5k loops around the Homestead. The course is a combination of road and short grass. 1/2-mile fun run/walk for all ages around the historical area starting at the Craft Shed at 10:15. Walkers permitted in 5k and fun run/walk only (Boone Homestead Trail Run info).

• Battle of Germantown (virtual); Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael Harris will present a program on the Battle of Germantown during the American Revolution. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Battle of Germantown lecture info).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wednesday, Oct. 11, 10 am-1 pm; Graeme Park
• Sue Johnston will present a program on courtship and marriage in early America, exploring differences between different economic classes and the status of children born outside of marriage, abandoned, or orphaned. Program includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Tours of the Keith House will be available after lunch (Lunch & Learn info and tickets).

• SOLD OUT! Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Visitors will walk the former streets of the legendary oil boomtown, meeting some of Pithole's most famous historical figures along the way. Tours depart the visitor center every 10 minutes from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and last approximately 90 minutes. Advance tickets only (Pithole Lantern Tour tickets).

• Cemetery Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-8 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2-3 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• This event takes place at Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland with tours starting every 15 minutes. Meet 10 characters representing individuals in the cemetery who will guide you through the graveyard. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 and under (accompanied by an adult). Call 570-473-9474 for tickets (Priestley House events calendar).

• Old Economy After Dark (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• OEV has partnered with Beaver County Paranormal for an evening of exploration in the Village. BCP will present two lectures on paranormal investigation, and attendees are welcome to bring hand-held investigation equipment (no large equipment or metal detectors). Please note that this is not a "haunted" event with costumed figures or scares. Advance tickets only: $20 general admission, $25 VIP ticket lets you stay later in the evening and access additional spaces (OEV After Dark info and tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Oct. 17, 9-11 am, and Tuesday, Nov. 7, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. At 3:30 pm on Nov. 7, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Oct. 17 Sensory Hours and tickets for Nov. 7 Sensory Hours).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); Friday, Oct. 27, 6:30 and 8:30 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• This two-hour nighttime tour explores the museum grounds and adjacent cemetery. Recommended for adults and older teens. Dress for the weather and please bring a flashlight. Offered at 6:30 and 8:30; light refreshments will be served in the Landis Valley Hotel. Reservations required (info and tickets for Harvest, Death & Renewal).

• Workshops in Archaeology 2023 (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This year's theme is Discovering the Past: The Sciences of Archaeology. Sessions will feature experts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), C14 dating, GPR survey, geoarchaeology, and more. Please join us as we explore how these specialized analyses are conducted and how the results enhance our understanding of the environmental and human past. Early registration by Oct. 20 is $25; discounts available. Registration at the door is $35 (no discounts). Bagged lunches, available for $8.50, must be ordered by Oct. 20 (Workshops in Archaeology info and registration).

Weekend Plans

Enjoy the fall garden beauty and lots of activities at Old Economy Village's Erntedankfest Harvest Festival this weekend (photo via Old Economy's Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, September 22

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the use of LINE in art: what it is, different types of line, and how artists use it in their artwork. Create your own piece of line artwork to take home. For kids in grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so sign up at the front desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join Amy Hammond, Fine Arts Curator and "Art of the State" Project Director, as she explores representations of seeds in art using pieces in the "Art of the State 2023" exhibit. Program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, September 23

• Fall Nature Walk (in-person); 10-11 am; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about historical and modern uses of the wide variety of plant life found at Bushy Run. Wear sturdy shoes (such as hiking boots) and dress for the weather. Tickets are $5 (free for members), available at the door (Fall Nature Walk info).

• CANCELED due to weather: Still Life Paint and Sip for All Skill Levels (in-person); 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Bring your favorite beverage and paint along step by step as we create our own 17th-century inspired still life. Materials provided. Cost is $35, $30 for members. Email c-kerscott@pa.gov to reserve your spot (Pennsbury Paint and Sip info).

• Erntedankfest Harvest Festival (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; Old Economy Village
• This event celebrates the fall harvest and many of the tasks done to prepare for winter. Artisans will be cooking, baking and demonstrating many different crafts and skills. Music, food and activities for the whole family make this a great fall tradition. Event takes place 10 am to 4 pm both days. Regular admission charged (Erntedankfest Harvest Festival info).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 23, Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Andrew Outten, historical programs manager for the Society of the Cincinnati in Washington, DC, will present "'From a Plan Drawn on the Spot': William Faden and the Battle of Brandywine," exploring one of the most influential British mapmakers of the late 18th century. Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite (Sept. 23 Rev Speaker Series tickets).

Sunday, September 24

• Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Explore and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the recipes and plants that fed early residents of Pennsbury. Included in regular admission (Beer Brewing & Garden Highlights info).

Thursday, September 28

• Owls of Pennsylvania (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Pennsylvania owls range in size from the large great horned owl to the small Eastern screech owl. Learn more about the owls that inhabit our state and dissect an owl pellet to find out what they eat. Included in regular admission (Owls of PA program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Oct. 3, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Oct. 17, 9-11 am ; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. At 3:30 pm on Oct. 3, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Oct. 3 Sensory Hours and tickets for Oct. 17 Sensory Hours).

• Frosty Mugs of Thunder (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 7, 2-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Kick off autumn with a beer, wine, and spirits fest. Live music and local food, as well. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend; ticket holders must show photo ID at the entrance (Frosty Mugs of Thunder info and tickets).

• Battle of Germantown (virtual); Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael Harris will present a program on the Battle of Germantown during the American Revolution. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Battle of Germantown lecture info).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wednesday, Oct. 11, 10 am-1 pm; Graeme Park
• Sue Johnston will present a program on courtship and marriage in early America, exploring differences between different economic classes and the status of children born outside of marriage, abandoned, or orphaned. Program includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Tours of the Keith House will be available after lunch (Lunch & Learn info and tickets).

• Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Visitors will walk the former streets of the legendary oil boomtown, meeting some of Pithole's most famous historical figures along the way. Tours depart the visitor center every 10 minutes from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and last approximately 90 minutes. Advance tickets only (Pithole Lantern Tour tickets).

• Cemetery Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-8 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2-3 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• This event takes place at Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland with tours starting every 15 minutes. Meet 10 characters representing individuals in the cemetery who will guide you through the graveyard. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 and under (accompanied by an adult). Call 570-473-9474 for tickets (Priestley House events calendar).

• Workshops in Archaeology 2023 (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This year's theme is Discovering the Past: The Sciences of Archaeology. Sessions will feature experts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), C14 dating, GPR survey, geoarchaeology, and more. Please join us as we explore how these specialized analyses are conducted and how the results enhance our understanding of the environmental and human past. Early registration by Oct. 20 is $25; discounts available. Registration at the door is $35 (no discounts). Bagged lunches, available for $8.50, must be ordered by Oct. 20 (Workshops in Archaeology info and registration).

Still Feels Like Summer

A calm view of the 1830s Farmstead at Somerset Historical Center before the excitement of this weekend's Mountain Craft Days event (photo via SHC Facebook page)

Up Next

Friday, September 8

• Mountain Craft Days (in-person); Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am-5 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Traditional crafts, country food, music, and children's activities in a beautiful woodland setting. Events run 10 am-5 pm each day. General admission, $9; children 6 to 17, $5 (Mountain Craft Days info).

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab to learn about density - can you discover what will sink and what will float? For kids in grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so sign up at the front desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Saturday, September 9

• Fall Gas Up (in-person); 9 am-3 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Drake Well hosts the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society with displays of antique engines, farm and oil field equipment, cars, trucks, and models. Included in regular admission (Fall Gas Up program info).

• Railroad Heritage Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• A Marklin/LEGO® train display and coloring table for kids will be on hand, as well as three special Museum tours for this event: “Down By The Station,” “Pennsylvania Railroad Board Rooms” and “The Solari Board.” Included in the regular Museum admission (Railroad Heritage Day info).

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

• Paws in the Park (in-person); 11 am-4 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• This free event features dog-friendly activities, crafts, vendors, and local animal adoption/rescue opportunities (Paws in the Park info).

• Film Screening (in-person); 1-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Join us for a screening of the new feature-length documentary NEPADOC, followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker David Heineman of Bloomsburg University. Included in regular admission (NEPADOC film screening info).

• 13th Annual Crush&Brew (in-person); 5-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy hosts this Ambridge Historic District event that features wine and beer tastings, food trucks, tours of the Harmonist Wine Cellar, and live music. Ticket includes a $10 food voucher and admission to after parties at several local businesses. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

Sunday, September 10

• Anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie (virtual); 11:45 am-Noon; Erie Maritime Museum
• This event commemorates the 210th anniversary of the Battle of Lake Erie, where an American squadron of Erie-built ships defeated the entire British Lake Erie fleet at Put-in-Bay, Ohio. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Erie Maritime Museum's Facebook page (Battle of Lake Erie Livestream info).

• Living History Sunday (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Come meet a soldier from the German Regiment, a unit commanded at times by Gen. Peter Muhlenberg. Also there will be open hearth cooking, a leathersmith and learn about the importance of trade goods in the 18th century. Admission is free (Conrad Weiser Homestead website).

• Gallery Walk and Art of the State Exhibit Opening (in-person); Noon-4:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Admission is free today in honor of Harrisburg's annual Gallery Walk. A limited number of timed tickets for Curiosity Connection will be available at the front desk; regular fees apply for the Planetarium. Art of the State 2023 exhibit opens at noon, and the Awards Ceremony will start at 1:30 pm (Gallery Walk and Art of the State info).

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The Living History Players will dramatize a story from Pennsbury's past. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

• The 1777 Philadelphia Campaign (in-person); 2-3 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Join historian and author Michael Harris as he explores the history of the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign. British commander William Howe believed capturing the colonial capital of Philadelphia in 1777 would end the American Revolution. Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, Fort Mercer, Fort Mifflin, and Whitemarsh all saw fighting during the campaign. Beginning in northern New Jersey, the campaign did not end until George Washington's army entered Valley Forge in December. Lecture takes place at the Wayside Lodge; admission is $2 per person suggested donation (Am Rev Lecture info).

Monday, September 11

• Remembrance Day (in-person); 6-7 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• This event commemorates the 246th anniversary of the Battle of Brandywine. There will be several speakers and music by bagpiper Mark O'Donnell (Remembrance Day info).

Wednesday, September 13

• One-Room Schoolhouse (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel back in time to attend a one room schoolhouse. Explore the lessons and materials used in the early 1900s. Included in regular admission (Schoolhouse program info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month (Stargazing program info).

Friday, September 15

• Story Time with the Educator (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Designed for children ages 2 through preK and led by a Museum educator, Story Time features a reading of a specially selected children’s book and a hands-on activity, craft, song or poem. September's book is A Lucky Dog: Owney, U.S. Rail Mascot by Dirk Wales with illustrations by Diane Kenna. Included in regular admission (Railroad Story Time info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Lagers & Lumberjacks (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 16, 4-7 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Semi-professional competitors will take on six timbersport events. Logyard Brewing will have samples and local food trucks will have tasty eats. Even try your hand at axe throwing. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Tickets are $12 in advance ($8 for designated driver) and $15 at the door ($10 for designated driver). Member discounts available (Lagers & Lumberjacks info and tickets). Pre-sale tickets available through Friday afternoon, then you'll need to purchase at the door.

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Sept. 19, 9-11 am, and Tuesday, Oct. 3, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. At 3:30 pm on Oct. 3, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. Advance tickets required (tickets for Sept. 19 Sensory Hours and tickets for Oct. 3 Sensory Hours).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, Sept. 22, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join Amy Hammond, Fine Arts Curator and "Art of the State" Project Director at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, as she discusses the "Art of the State 2023" exhibit. Program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

• Revolutionary Speaker Series (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 23, Noon-2 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Andrew Outten, historical programs manager for the Society of the Cincinnati in Washington, DC, will present "'From a Plan Drawn on the Spot': William Faden and the Battle of Brandywine," exploring one of the most influential British mapmakers of the late 18th century. Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite (Sept. 23 Rev Speaker Series tickets).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

• Battle of Germantown (virtual); Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael Harris will present a program on the Battle of Germantown during the American Revolution. The program is free, but you must register to receive the Zoom link (Battle of Germantown lecture info).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wednesday, Oct. 11, 10 am-1 pm; Graeme Park
• Sue Johnston will present a program on courtship and marriage in early America, exploring differences between different economic classes and the status of children born outside of marriage, abandoned, or orphaned. Program includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Tours of the Keith House will be available after lunch (Lunch & Learn info and tickets).

• Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Visitors will walk the former streets of the legendary oil boomtown, meeting some of Pithole's most famous historical figures along the way. Tours depart the visitor center every 10 minutes from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm and last approximately 90 minutes. Advance tickets only (Pithole Lantern Tour tickets).

• Cemetery Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 14, 7-8 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 15, 2-3 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• This event takes place at Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland with tours starting every 15 minutes. Meet 10 characters representing individuals in the cemetery who will guide you through the graveyard. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 and under (accompanied by an adult). Call 570-473-9474 for tickets (Priestley House events calendar).

• Workshops in Archaeology 2023 (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 28, 9 am-5 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This year's theme is Discovering the Past: The Sciences of Archaeology. Sessions will feature experts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), C14 dating, GPR survey, geoarchaeology, and more. Please join us as we explore how these specialized analyses are conducted and how the results enhance our understanding of the environmental and human past. Early registration by Oct. 20 is $25; discounts available. Registration at the door is $35 (no discounts). Bagged lunches, available for $8.50, must be ordered by Oct. 20 (Workshops in Archaeology info and registration).

What's in Your Weekend?

Look at full-size and scale model locomotives and railcars this weekend at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (photo via RMP's Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, August 18

• Model Railroading Days (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, Sunday, Noon-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch the world of operating model trains in action and see static displays from a variety of different participating groups and clubs, as well as the Museum’s own two operating HO layouts. Included in regular admission (Model Railroading Days info).

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Offered 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Ryan Reed from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will explain why the leaves change color in the fall, discuss which tree species will provide those standout colors and share the best places to go to view fall foliage in Pennsylvania. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, August 19

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Visit the "Life Through Time" gallery for a reading of My Mastodon by Barbara Lowell with illustrations by Antonio Marinoni. Discover the story of the Peale family living in a museum in Philadelphia. Create your own admission ticket and souvenir. Designed for kids under age 5 and included in regular admission (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Family Fun Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• We are partnering with Teachers' Teammates to bring awareness to the needs of students and teachers around Delaware County and to have a fun day learning about history from our various colonial interpreters. We'll be collecting needed items; each donated item gets you one free admission per person (Fun Day info and list of needed items).

• Chill and Build (in-person); 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• A chance for families to hang out and build something. Choose the colors and shapes to make your own creation or follow the pattern on the design cards to make a tree, rocket, and more using building blocks (Chill and Build program info).

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

Sunday, August 20

• Paws on the Path (in-person); 9:15 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Come explore Daniel Boone Homestead with your furry friend. Join us on the 3rd Sunday of the month at 9:15 am, starting August 20th for a monthly dog walk. All dogs must be on a leash and well-behaved around other dogs. Walkers without dogs are welcome to come as well (dogs in the park program info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will prepare recipes of their choice using the bounty of the summer harvest. Included in regular admission (Open-hearth cooking program info).

• Old-Fashioned Games Day (in-person); 1-4 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Sunday was the one day of the week that woodhicks could relax and unwind. Bring the family to try some of the games woodhicks played, like checkers and horseshoes, as well as a variety of other fun 19th-century games (Games Day program info).

Tuesday, August 22

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

Wednesday, August 23

• State Symbols: Crown Vetch (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about the State Beautification and Conservation Plant and the practice of plant pressing to preserve herbarium specimens. Included in regular admission (Crown Vetch program info).

• Music on the Lawn (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• The Elegance String Quartet will perform on the riverside lawn of the Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House info).

Thursday, August 24

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in the garden and then explore the grounds of Pennsbury Manor. Cost is a $3 grounds pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• General Store (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the General Store, discover the items that people bought to care for their families as you “shop” from the past. Experience the toys and games families would have purchased. Included in regular admission (General Store program info).

• PA Geography with the Giant Map (in-person); 1:30-3 pm; 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 (PA Giant map program info).

Friday, August 25

• Family Gallery Tour: Ecology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about Pennsylvania’s major ecosystems, the wildlife and plants found here and the Pennsylvanians who contributed to the environmental movement during a tour of Ecology Hall. Included in regular admission (Ecology Hall tours info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Sept. 5, 3-5 pm, and Tuesday, Sept. 19, 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, sound, and crowd levels will be lower, and there will be some quiet spots in the galleries to take a break. Several historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (tickets for Sept. 5 Sensory Hours and tickets for Sept. 19 Sensory Hours).

• 13th Annual Crush&Brew (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 9, 5-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy hosts this Ambridge Historic District event that features wine and beer tastings, food trucks, tours of the Harmonist Wine Cellar, and live music. Ticket includes a $10 food voucher and admission to after parties at several local businesses. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

• Lagers & Lumberjacks (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 16, 4-7 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Semi-professional competitors will take on six timbersport events. Logyard Brewing will have samples and local food trucks will have tasty eats. Even try your hand at axe throwing. You must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Tickets are $12 in advance ($8 for designated driver) and $15 at the door ($10 for designated driver). Member discounts available (Lagers & Lumberjacks info and tickets).

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

The Clock is Ticking

A resource fair for active duty military members and veterans will take place at the Pennsylvania Military Museum on Saturday (Photo via PMM Facebook page)

There's not much time left to plan those last-of-summer vacations. Let the list below be one of the places you start. Safe travels!

Up Next

Today, August 11

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

• Toys and Games: 1950s and '60s (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from the 1950’s and 60’s. Test your skills at the Hula Hoop, walk the Slinky down the stairs and play a round of Twister. Included in regular admission (1950s-60s Toys and Games program info).

• Made in PA (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• From the practical to the tasty, discover the many revolutionary products that were made in Pennsylvania. Explore the products that are the keystone of our economy. Included in regular admission (Made in PA program info).

Saturday, August 12

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 10 am-Noon; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Resource Fair (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• As part of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, organizations that support active duty military and veterans will be onsite for a resource fair. Several short presentations will be offered. Participating organizations include Humana Insurance, the V.A., The Women's Memorial, and WoVen network (PMM info).

• History Hike (in-person); 10 am-Noon; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Join us for a History Hike as we explore the history of the Daniel Boone Homestead. Please make sure to wear sturdy walking shoes and bring some water to drink. Friendly Dogs are welcome to join us for the walk but must be on a leash and are not allowed in the historic buildings (History Hike info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky (in-person); 3-4 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month (Stargazing program info).

Sunday, August 13

• Living History Sunday (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Graeme Park
• Kids can participate in a colonial school, learn proper etiquette, play colonial games, try on colonial clothing, and learn about spinning, needlework, and carding wool. Tours of the historic Keith House will also be available at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 for $5/person. Living History activities are free (Graeme Park Living History info).

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• It's 1688 and Judith Roe has been charged with the murder of a traveler who spent the night at her house. Sit in on her trial to learn the details. Included in regular admission (Pennsbury Living History info).

• Ice Cream Social (in-person); 1-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Ice cream, brownie sundaes, live music, textile demos, and a chance to stroll the grounds and visit the historic buildings. All-inclusive admission of $10 for age 6 and up, $5 for members (Ice Cream Social info).

• WILD Illustrations (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Ecology Hall to explore a famous Pennsylvania naturalist and his wildlife art. Discover close looking and use your new knowledge to create your own art journal and wildlife illustration. Included in regular admission (Wildlife illustration program info).

Wednesday, August 16

• Bandits of the Night (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join museum educators in Nature Lab (3rd Floor) to learn about the raccoon's life, habitat, and adaptations. Stay to craft your own paperbag raccoon puppet. Included in regular admission (Raccoon program info).

• Toys and Games: 1970s and '80s (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from the 1970’s and 80’s. Test your skills at the Rubik’s Cube, explore action figure and see how quickly you can solve Perfection. Included in regular admission (1970s-80s Toys and Games program info).

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

Thursday, August 17

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in the garden and then explore the grounds of Pennsbury Manor. Cost is a $3 grounds pass (additional fee to tour the Manor House). Suggested ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• State Symbols: Piper Cub (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover why the Piper J3 Cub was chosen as Pennsylvania’s state aircraft. Explore its historic importance during WWII and its revolutionary use as an affordable recreational aircraft. Test your skills at different paper airplane designs. Included in regular admission (Piper Cub program info).

Friday, August 18

• Model Railroading Days (in-person); Friday and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm, Sunday, Noon-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch the world of operating model trains in action and see static displays from a variety of different participating groups and clubs, as well as the Museum’s own two operating HO layouts. Included in regular admission (Model Railroading Days info).

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Offered 11 am-Noon and 1:30-2:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Ryan Reed from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will explain why the leaves change color in the fall, discuss which tree species will provide those standout colors and share the best places to go to view fall foliage in Pennsylvania. Program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

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

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

• 13th Annual Crush&Brew (in-person); Saturday, Sept. 9, 5-8 pm; Old Economy Village
• Old Economy hosts this Ambridge Historic District event that features wine and beer tastings, food trucks, tours of the Harmonist Wine Cellar, and live music. Ticket includes a $10 food voucher and admission to after parties at several local businesses. Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door.

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

So, This is August

Enjoy a tour of the gardens at Old Economy Village next Friday, Aug. 11 (photo via OEV Facebook page)

Welcome to August. I hope your summer is going well and that you've had time to do the things you want to do. The listings below might give you some ideas if you're looking for activities outdoors or indoors. There seems to be a garden theme going on. In the week ahead, you'll find a garden party at Joseph Priestley House (August 6), storytime in the garden at Pennsbury Manor (August 10), a garden tour at Old Economy Village (August 11), and tickets on sale for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's garden railways tour in October. Gardens not your thing? We have lots of other stuff. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great week.

Up Next

Today, August 4

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

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

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

Saturday, August 5

• Mastodons and Mammoths (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Follow the story of mastodons and mammoths and their evolution from the earliest examples to today’s modern elephants. Create your own scientific chart. Included in regular admission (Mastodon and Mammoth program info).

• Battle Reenactment (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• This year marks the 260th anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run (Battle reenactment program info).

• A Legacy of Service (in-person); 1-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948, the museum is partnering with several agencies to present programs highlighting the history of women's military service in Pennsylvania and the nation. Keynote speaker is Brigadier General Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans Affairs. A reception follows. Registration is requested due to limited seating (Women's military history program info).

Sunday, August 6

• Garden Party/Oxygen Day (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Explore the gardens and the new outdoor exhibit starting at noon, with landscape architect Brehon Odronic and Master Gardeners from Northumberland County. Oxygen Day activities start at 1 when the house opens for self-guided tours. Dr. Priestley will conduct chemistry demos in the Pond Building at 1:30 and 2:30. There will be period music and light refreshments (Priestley House website).

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Our blacksmiths, joyners and spinners will be eager to talk to you about their work and its importance during Penn’s time. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades program info).

• Set the Scene (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us at the Conestoga Wagon on the Second Floor to discover two 19th-century landscape artists who captured Pennsylvania transportation history in their work. Learn close- looking techniques and use your new knowledge to capture your vision by creating your own landscape. Included in regular admission (landscape painting program info).

• Patriotic Concert (in-person); 5-7 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• The Ringgold Band will present a concert at the west end of Weiser Park. Please bring your own lawn chairs; water will be available. Veterans attending should register when they arrive so that they can be honored at intermission. Concert is free; donations welcome (Ringgold Band concert info).

Tuesday, August 8

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

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

Wednesday, August 9

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Touch furs, hold antlers, view skulls and ask questions during a tour of Mammal Hall. Included with general admission (Mammal Hall Tour info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Horse 2 Auto (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Look back at the history of transitioning from horse-powered transportation to the automobile. Examine the similarities and struggles we face today as we look to transition from the internal combustion engine to a more energy-efficient system. Included in general admission (Horse 2 Auto tour info).

• Stargazing: Tonight's Sky Live Chat (in-person); 2-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join the Planetarium Director for a live chat exploring what you can see in the sky tonight. Learn about the basic motions of the sky, visible constellations and planets, and any special celestial events that are coming up in the next month (Stargazing program info).

Thursday, August 10

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

• Seed to Bread (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover how a simple seed can turn into the bread we eat. Take home some historic recipes. Included in regular admission; takes place in the Transportation & Industry gallery on the Second Floor (Seed to Bread program info).

Friday, August 11

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

• Toys and Games: 1950s and '60s (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from the 1950’s and 60’s. Test your skills at the Hula Hoop, walk the Slinky down the stairs and play a round of Twister. Included in regular admission (Toys and Games program info).

• Made in PA (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• From the practical to the tasty, discover the many revolutionary products that were made in Pennsylvania. Explore the products that are the keystone of our economy. Included in regular admission (Made in PA program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

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

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

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

• Garden Railways Tour (in-person); Sunday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Tickets are on sale now for the 16th annual tour of garden railways located at five sites in Lancaster and York Counties. Cost is $10 for ages 6 and up. Tickets available via Eventbrite or at the Whistle Stop Shop at the museum.

Summer is Flying By

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

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

Up Next

Today, July 28

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

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

Saturday, July 29

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

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

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

Sunday, July 30

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

Wednesday, August 2

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

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

Thursday, August 3

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

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

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

Friday, August 4

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

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

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

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

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

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

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

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

Mid-Summer Snapshots

Ranunculus (buttercups) blooming in the logging camp at Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (photo via PLM Facebook page)

Here in the northern hemisphere, we've just passed the mid-point of summer (meteorologically speaking), and the gardens and landscapes on the Trails of History are in peak form. Sites have been posting photos, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites from the past week or so. Please check out the calendar below for programs but also remember that you don't need a special program to enjoy our sites. Pick one that's close to you and pay them a visit. I hope you have a great week.

Sunflowers in the garden at Graeme Park with the stone barn (visitor center) in the background (photo via GP Facebook page)

Ephrata Cloister's traditional German four-square garden with vegetables in the center beds and herbs around the fence line (photo via EC's Facebook page)

View of the barn (left) and blacksmith shop from inside the Boone House at Daniel Boone Homestead. A project to apply UV-filtering film to the Boone House windows was recently completed by PHMC staff (photo via DBH Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, July 21

• It's ALIVE! (or maybe not): Living and Non-Living Things (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Younger visitors are invited to explore living and non-living things and the properties that something needs to exhibit to be alive. Included in regular admission (Living & Non-Living Things program info).

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Get hands-on with the rocks and minerals of Pennsylvania. Learn about Pennsylvania’s landforms and resources. Meet on the 3rd Floor Balcony for this presentation. Included in regular admission (July 21 Geology Hall tour info).

Saturday, July 22

• Life Under the Canopy: The Vietnam War (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• 2023 closes the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Join museum staff and living history volunteers in our final event of the anniversary. Immerse yourself in the controversial conflict that defined the second half of the twentieth century; walk through a military camp and experience life on the front in Southeast Asia. Explore how conflict often falls on the shoulders of youth, changing the lives and perspectives of many young Americans in the 1960s and 1970s. Encampment is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Regular admission rates apply to tour the Museum Gallery (Vietnam War program info).

• Storytime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Hear a reading of Birds by Kevin Henkes, learn about the many colors of birds, and paint with bird feathers. For ages 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (State Museum StoryTime info).

• Explore PA Industry with the Giant Map (in-person); 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Travel across the Giant Map of Pennsylvania to discover the industries that shaped our state. Included in regular admission (PA industry program info).

Sunday, July 23

• Beer Brewing & Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Explore and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of the recipes and plants that fed the early residents of Pennsbury. Included in regular admission (Brewing & Gardens program info).

• Discovering Dioramas (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Observe how the art in the Mammal Hall dioramas blends light, color, and sculptural elements to capture a moment in time and connect with Pennsylvania mammals and wild places. Discover close looking and use your new knowledge and creativity to design your own paper diorama! Included in regular admission (Dioramas program info).

Tuesday, July 25

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is about preserving produce. Geared for ages 12 and up. Registration required - $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (July Garden Workshop info).

Wednesday, July 26

• State Symbol: Fossil (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• On December 5, 1988, the fossil of an extinct arthropod, Phacops rana, was chosen to represent the state of Pennsylvania. Now re-classified as the species Eldredgeops rana, this trilobite once dwelled in the water that covered Pennsylvania during the Cambrian period. Learn more about this fossil and make a “fossil” to take home. Included in regular admission (State Fossil program info).

• Giant Map of Pennsylvania (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Challenge your knowledge of the geography of Pennsylvania while exploring the giant map of the state. Included in regular admission (Giant map program info).

• Music on the Lawn (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Rolf Sturm and Jenna Mammina will present an evening of jazz music on the lawn of the Joseph Priestley House (Music on the Lawn program info).

Thursday, July 27

• What's Cooking (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Visit the Summer Kitchen in Village Square to discover cooking in the early 1900s, featuring innovative items from the industrial revolution. Test your skills with hands-on tools and take home some period recipes. Included in regular admission (Summer Kitchen program info).

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

Friday, July 28

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

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

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

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

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

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

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

Summer Camp Programs (camps are in-person)

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• 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 27, 9 am-4 pm

• Joseph Priestley House (Priestley House camp info)
• Summer History Camp (grades 1-6), July 26-28, 9 am-Noon

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

• PA Lumber Museum (Lumber Museum camp info)
• History Camp (ages 10-18), August 4-5, 9 am-2 pm