Apples and Pumpkins and More

The Company Store exhibit building at Eckley Miners' Village with signs of fall foliage (photo via Eckley's Facebook page)

There's plenty to do this weekend and in the week ahead - apple dumpling sales, lectures, concerts, historical demonstrations. What's not to like? And if you want to match your travels to the progress of fall foliage across our beautiful state, don't forget to check the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Fall Foliage Maps. Enjoy!

Up Next

Today, 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).

• 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).

Saturday, October 7

• Fall Antique Show & Sawmill Run (in-person); Saturday, 9 am-5 pm, and Sunday, 9 am-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Multiple antique vendors will be on hand in the museum program room both days, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. On Saturday only the steam-powered circular sawmill will be demonstrated from 10 am to 3 pm. Other demos both days include the birch still, lumber camp kitchen, blacksmith shop, and the Eastern Loggers model railroad display. Admission charged (Antique Show & Sawmill Run info).

• Harvest Days and Silent Auction (in-person); Saturday, 10 am-5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am-5 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Come for demonstrations, exhibits, live music, and children’s activities. Taste heirloom varieties of apples and watch them become apple butter and cider. Witness wool go from sheep to shawl. Pick a pumpkin of your very own and then decorate it. Admission charged; parking is free. Food will be available for purchase on-site. New this year: bid on a variety of museum passes, experiences, libations, and heritage pieces inspired by the museum's collection during the 2-day silent auction in the Firehouse (Harvest Days info).

• Benjamin Franklin's Inventions (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 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 life and the lives around him. Create your own Pennsylvania Gazette. Included in regular admission (Ben Franklin's Innovations program info).

• Patriot's Day (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Learn what life was like for soldiers and camp followers during the Revolutionary War from period reenactors. Military drills and firing demonstrations will be conducted at various times during the event. Colonial trades and cooking will also be demonstrated. Tours of the Ring House (Washington’s Headquarters) are at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, and tours of the Gilpin House are at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. Admission charged (Patriot's Day info).

• Frosty Mugs of Thunder (in-person); 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).

Sunday, October 8

• Trails of History Run (in-person); 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).

• Day of Music (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• The Ephrata Cloister Chorus, under the direction of Mark Herr and accompanied by Juliet Mitton, will offer a selection of music written in colonial Ephrata and from other early American communities, including the Amish and Moravians. The concerts at 2:00 and 3:00 are included with admission to the site. Tours of the historic buildings will be provided at 12:30 and 1:30 and will conclude in time for the concerts that follow (Day of Music info).

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• You are cordially invited to the wedding of Mary Lofty and John Sotcher, who work for the Penn family, as they are joined in marriage in a traditional Quaker ceremony. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

Tuesday, October 10

• Battle of Germantown (virtual); 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).

Wednesday, October 11

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); 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).

• PA State Fossil (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about Eldredgeops rana, a trilobite fossil from the Cambrian period, designated PA's state fossil in 1988. Make a trilobite to take home. Included in regular admission (State Fossil program info).

Friday, October 13

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab to learn about the unique adaptations that make a dinosaur different from any other reptile and explore the different types of dinosaurs that existed. Create your own dinosaur sculpture to take home. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids info).

• Cello Concert (in-person); 8-10 pm; Old Economy Village
• Grammy Award winning cellist Eugene Friesen (and Friends) will perform a concert in the Feast Hall featuring Harmonist music. Friesen previously recorded a CD of Harmonist music titled In Harmony. Tickets are $25, $20 for OEV members, $10 for students and may be purchased at the door or in advance via Ticket Leap (Eugene Friesen concert info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• A Walk Among the Graeme Ghosts (in-person); Friday, Oct. 20, 7-9 pm, and Friday, Oct. 27, 7-9 pm; Graeme Park
• This immersive theater experience allows guests to visit the publicly accessible areas of the Keith House in any order and at their own pace. Tours are at 7, 8, and 9 pm. Advance tickets are $20 via Eventbrite. Tickets at the door are $25, but may sell out before the event (Graeme Ghosts info).

• Halloween Lantern Tours (in-person); Saturday, Oct. 21, 6-9:30 pm; Hope Lodge
• Explore Hope Lodge by lantern light and participate in an immersive tour of the grounds. Reservations required (Hope Lodge Lantern Tours info and tickets).

• 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).

Rounding Out August

Learn about Col. Edwin Drake's successful oil well and enjoy some live music this weekend at Drake Well Museum & Park (photo via DWM's Facebook page)

As we head into the final week of August and the end of meteorological summer, here are a few stories that came across my radar recently that I haven't shared here. Please be sure to check the calendar listings below for things to do in the coming week or so.

Earlier this month, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania announced that it will become the new home of the 1838 steam locomotive "Rocket" that has been on exhibit at The Franklin Institute since the 1930s. Built in England and purchased by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, the locomotive is now owned by Reading successor Conrail, who will place it on loan to RMP. The Rocket is currently being prepared for display and will join other significant locomotives and railcars in the museum's Rolling Stock Hall later this year (read more about the Rocket on RMP's Facebook page).

At the Conrad Weiser Homestead, a new exhibit element in the Weiser House helps to tell the story of Anna Eve (Feg) Weiser (1700-1781). As the wife of Conrad Weiser, Anna Eve welcomed colonial politicians, diplomats, missionaries and Native American leaders to the homestead. She ran the 900-acre farm alongside her husband and on her own when Conrad was away from home. The project, which includes a 4-minute audio piece and a mannequin in colonial-era clothing, was carried out by the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead, with support from the Berks Women's History Alliance (read more about the Anna Eve Project).

On a related note, the Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia recently found in their collections a letter signed by Conrad Weiser in 1758, along with other Reading area German Lutherans. The letter was in a folder in a back corner of the Center's vault. It has now been rehoused in archival-quality materials and joined other letters in the collection (read more about the 1758 letter on Lutheran Archives Center's Facebook page).

To mark the 35th anniversary of the U.S. Brig Niagara's current incarnation, the Erie Maritime Museum shared a couple of posts with images from the rebuilding. No ship is ever "complete," due to ongoing maintenance and upkeep, so this anniversary marks the start of the project (see photos of Niagara under construction on EMM's Facebook page).

Up Next

Today, 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 tour info).

Saturday, August 26

• Sailor's Swabs (in-person); Saturday, 10 am-2 pm, and Sunday, 1-5 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• Interpreter Mark Zagursky will be on site for two days demonstrating the art of tying sailor's swabs (think whisk broom) using the Mathew Walker knot. Included in regular admission (Sailor's Swabs program info).

• Wayzgoose in the Print Shop (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Old Economy Village
• As early as the 1600s, print shop owners rewarded their employees with a meal and cash, and the celebration was called a Wayzgoose. The tradition continues at OEV with a celebration of the history, tools, and techniques of printing. See demonstrations, help with printing on the 1893 press, and learn some simple activities you can do at home. Plus light refreshments. Included in regular admission (Print Shop program info).

• Magnets (in-person); 10 am-Noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Investigate magnets and magnetism. A variety of activities will repel or attract you to explore polarity and use critical thinking skills. Included in regular admission (Magnets program info).

• Drake Day (in-person); 11 am-4 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• To celebrate the 164th anniversary of Col. Edwin Drake striking oil, the museum will host a day of music in the park, featuring performances by Mitch Littler, Franklin Silver Cornet Band, Mostly Brass, and Queen City Community Band. Included in regular admission (Drake Day program info).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 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).

Sunday, August 27

• 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 the early residents of Pennsbury. Included in regular admission (Beer Brewing and Garden program info).

Wednesday, August 30

• State Symbols: K4s Locomotive (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover why the Pennsylvania Railroad K4s became Pennsylvania’s Steam Locomotive. This innovation changed the way America traveled and explored. Learn about its historic significance and the science behind the vehicle. Included in regular admission (K4s Locomotive program info).

Thursday, August 31

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

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• If you are interested in rocks and minerals, join a Museum Educator to tour Geology Hall. Get hands-on with the rocks and minerals of Pennsylvania. Offered 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Geology Hall tour info).

Friday, September 1

• Storytime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in Nature Lab for a reading of We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins. Learn more about the Tyrannosaurus rex and create your own T-rex to take home. For kids age 3 to 5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (State Museum Storytime).

• 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).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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. At 3:30 pm on Sept. 5, there will be a Story Time with the Educator aimed at kids age 2 to 5. 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.

A Full Weekend Ahead

Erie Maritime Museum's program on shipwrecks is just one of many events happening this weekend (photo via EMM Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, June 16

• Colonial Toys and Games (in-person); 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from colonial Pennsylvania. Test your skills with a bilbo catcher, Jacobs ladder and see if you can make a hoop go with just a stick. Toys and games will be available 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm. Included in regular admission (Toys and Games program info).

Saturday, June 17

• 50th Anniversary of the Cornwall Mines Closure (in-person); 10 am-noon; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• The Cornwall Ore Mine closed in June of 1973 after 236 years of operations. This free, family-friendly event commemorates the mine, the closing, and former miners. Remarks and recollections will take place in the auditorium of Cornwall Elementary School (45 Burd Coleman Rd., Lebanon), there will be a wreath-laying at the miner statue in front of the school, then attendees are invited for refreshments at Cornwall Iron Furnace (Cornwall Mines program info).

• Art in the Garden: Botanical Drawing Workshop (in-person); 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Outdoor art for all skill levels. This guided drawing workshop will focus on plants in the kitchen garden. Materials provided. Registration required $35/non-members $30/members. Call 215/946-0400 to register (Art in the Garden workshop info).

• Sail to Steam Saturdays (in-person); 10 am-2 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• Join Museum staff to explore the science behind shipwreck archaeology. We will explore SONAR imagery, talk shipwrecks in the Erie region, learn about mosaics, and “dive” into a debris field. Included in regular admission (June 17 Sail to Steam info).

• Amusement Parks (in-person); 10 am-noon and 1-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the history of amusement parks in Pennsylvania and the connection to industrialization. Examine key rides with Pennsylvania significance: carousel, roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and the bumper car. Create your own carousel with images of items from our collection. Included in regular admission (Amusement Parks program info).

• Patchtown Days (in-person); 10 am-5 pm; Eckley Miners' Village
• Join us for a day of live music, local crafts, and anthracite heritage! Stop by one of our food trucks for Polish and Mexican cuisine, sip on a pint in Conyngham Brewing Company’s new beer garden, and wander our 90-acre, 19th-century company town to step into the lives of anthracite mining families! Admission charged (Patchtown Days info).

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Auditorium on the Ground Floor to learn about the symphony orchestra. Because by Mo Willems will be the featured book. Storytime participants will learn about the instruments that make up an orchestra and have a chance to play along with a few famous symphonic works. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Arts on Fire 2023 (in-person); 11 am-5 pm; Scranton Iron Furnaces
• Annual festival features an iron pour, scratch blocks, music, food, crafts and educational tents from the partners at National Museum of Industrial History and the PA Lumber Museum. Held in conjunction with Steamtown National Historic Site's Railfest (10 am-4 pm). Admission is free and there is free transportation between the Iron Furnaces and Steamtown NHS (Arts on Fire program info).

• OEV Music Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, Noon-8 pm both days; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a wide array of bands at a beautiful historic site. Event is rain or shine (will move indoors if the weather is bad); bring chairs and blankets for outdoor seating. There will be a variety of food trucks onsite (separate purchase). Advance tickets only; choose one day or the whole weekend (OEV Music Weekend line-up and tickets).

• 90th Anniversary of the CCC (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Curator Josh Fox will present a program looking back at the prolific works and impactful legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps. There will also be a new temporary exhibit in honor of CCC's 90th anniversary (CCC program 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. Admission and planetarium tickets must be purchased at the Ground Floor desk at least 5 minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

• Brews at the Battlefield (in-person); 5-8 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Taste beers from local and regional breweries, listen to music, and enjoy food from Burgers by Wildwich (separate purchase from event tickets). You must be at least age 21 to attend, and photo ID will be required at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance; designated driver tickets available (Brews at the Battlefield tickets).

Sunday, June 18

• Father's Day (in-person); Noon-3 pm; Graeme Park
• The site will offer free tours to all men age 18 and over in honor of Father's Day (Graeme Park info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will prepare and present a complete seasonal meal as it would have been served to William Penn. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking info).

• Juneteenth Celebration (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• The site will host a program in celebration of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Bring a lunch and blanket or chairs and enjoy a peaceful afternoon on the banks of the Delaware River. Included in regular admission (Juneteenth program info).

• Finding Your Roots: Free Resources for Building a Family Tree (in-person); 2-4 pm; Graeme Park
• Learn about researching the identities of enslaved people at historic house museums and build a toolkit to bridge gaps in your own family history. This in-person program will be followed by two virtual meet-ups, June 20 and 27 at 7 pm to review and troubleshoot research; contact info will be requested during June 18 class (Finding Your Roots program info).

Wednesday, June 21

• THE STATE MUSEUM IS CLOSED TODAY, JUNE 21: Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn more about Pennsylvania mammals during a family-friendly tour of Mammal Hall. Touch furs, hold antlers, view skulls, and ask questions. Included in regular admission (Mammal Hall program info).

Thursday, June 22

• Storytime in the Garden (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Enjoy a story in Pennsbury's garden and then stay to explore the grounds. Suggested for ages 4 to 8, but all are welcome. Admission is $3 (Grounds Pass); upgrade to regular admission if you'd like to tour the Manor House (Pennsbury Storytime info).

• Physical Geography of Pennsylvania (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Using the Giant Map of Pennsylvania, learn about the state's landforms, waterways, and physiographic regions. Be sure to wear your socks so you can trek across the map. You will also be asked to challenge your map skills. Included in regular admission (Geography program info).

Friday, June 23

• Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am and 1:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This family-friendly tour looks at transportation changes throughout Pennsylvania’s history. Join Museum Educators to learn about the vehicles that have helped move us across our state. Included in regular admission (Transportation gallery tour info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Jacob Henry, Spotted Lanternfly Operations Manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will discuss the spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 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 June 27 Sensory Hours).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is "Colors of Our Lives." Open to ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (Garden Workshop Series info).

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, July 25, 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).

Summer Camp Programs (camps are in-person unless marked otherwise)

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• Live the Battle Week (grades 3-4), June 27-30, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 3-4), July 11-14, 9 am-2 pm
• Live the Battle Week (grades 5-6), July 18-21, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 5-6), July 25-28, 9 am-2 pm

• Drake Well Museum & Park (Drake Well camp info)
• Discovery Days Camp (ages 8-12), July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9 am-4 pm

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

• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (LVVFM camp info)
• A Child's Life in the Civil War (ages 5-11), July 18-21, 9 am-12:30 pm

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

• Pennsbury Manor (Pennsbury camp info)
• Colonial Camp Week (ages 6-8), July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm

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

• Railroad Museum of PA (RMP camp info)
• Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 9-10), July 11-14
• SOLD OUT Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 11-12), July 25-28

Congratulations are in Order

Photo via Ephrata Cloister Facebook page

Congratulations to the staff, board, and volunteers at Ephrata Cloister on their recent reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Ephrata was first accredited by AAM in 1983 and has maintained its status through three subsequent accreditation reviews. It is one of only 202 museums in the nation to achieve accreditation status four times and one of only 35 accredited museums in Pennsylvania. This national recognition reflects a commitment to excellence and high professional standards, as well as continuous improvement, which is why accredited museums must go through the process every ten years or so. The accreditation process includes roughly a year of self-study activities followed by a site visit from AAM-trained reviewers. The self-study and reviewers' report goes before the Accreditation Commission for approval (read more about AAM Accreditation). So a hearty cheer and round of applause for all the folks at Ephrata who navigated this process successfully yet again. Well done, all!

Up Next

Saturday, June 10

• Wildcatter Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Come explore Pennsylvania's legendary oil boomtown and enjoy guided tours, living history demonstrations, and more. Admission charged (Wildcatter Day info).

• Sail to Steam Saturdays (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; Erie Maritime Museum
• The museum welcomes the International Guild of Knot Tyers for demos on knot art, rope making, knot tying, and more. Included in regular admission (6/10 Sail to Steam Saturdays info).

Sunday, June 11

• Living History Theater (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• In an age when the mortality rate was high, what happened when children lost their parents? Join us as we convene an Orphan’s Court and discover some of the heartbreaking tales. Included in regular admission (Living History Theater info).

• Experience Folk Art (in-person); 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us in the Pennsylvania Icons Gallery on the First Floor to explore the art of Pennsylvania Germans and how the decoration of everyday objects became an artistic and elaborate art form. Discover close looking and take your new knowledge back to the classroom to create your own piece of folk art. Included in regular admission (Folk Art program info).

Tuesday, June 13

• 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 June 13 Sensory Hours).

• The End of An Era: Reflecting on 236 Years of Mining at Cornwall (hybrid); 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• This presentation by Mike Weber will take a retrospective look at the Cornwall Mines at the end of an era as we reflect on the legacy of more than two centuries of iron mining at Cornwall. Attend in-person at Freeman Hall (Cornwall Manor Retirement Community) or via Zoom (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

Wednesday, June 14

• State Symbol: PA State Flag (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the history behind Pennsylvania’s State Flag. Discover what each of the symbols represent. Visitors will create their own PA state flag using iconic Pennsylvania images or design their own version. Included in regular admission (PA State Flag program info).

• PHMC's Framing History Series (in-person); 1:30-3:30; The State Museum of PA
• Join award-winning historian Tom Sugrue, author of Sweet Land of Liberty: The Forgotten Struggle for Civil Rights in the North, as he discusses the Civil Rights Movement and the quest for racial equality in Pennsylvania. Tour The State Museum’s exhibit, A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration, following the presentation. Registration recommended but not required (register for Tom Sugrue lecture).

• 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. Admission and planetarium tickets must be purchased at the Ground Floor desk at least 5 minutes before showtime (Stargazing program info).

• Historic Slate Industry in PA (in-person); 7-8:30 pm; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Don Robinson will present on the history of the slate industry, historic uses of slate, the immigration of Welsh quarrymen, and contemporary preservation efforts of related slate industry structures in Coulsontown, PA. The program is free and will be held in the Yellow Barn. This program is offered in partnership with the Lancaster Designer Craftsmen chapter of the PA Guild of Craftsmen (Slate Industry program info).

Thursday, June 15

• Family Gallery Tour: Geology Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-2:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• If you are interested in rocks and minerals, join a Museum Educator to tour Geology Hall. Get hands-on with the rocks and minerals of Pennsylvania. Program will be presented at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. Included in regular admission (Geology Hall tour info).

Friday, June 16

• Colonial Toys and Games (in-person); 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with the toys, games and puzzles from colonial Pennsylvania. Test your skills with a bilbo catcher, Jacobs ladder and see if you can make a hoop go with just a stick. Toys and games will be available 11 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3 pm. Included in regular admission (Toys and Games program info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Art in the Garden: Botanical Drawing Workshop (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 10 am-1 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Outdoor art for all skill levels. This guided drawing workshop will focus on plants in the kitchen garden. Materials provided. Registration required $35/non-members $30/members. Call 215/946-0400 to register (Art in the Garden workshop info).

• Brews at the Battlefield (in-person); Saturday, June 17, 5-8 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Taste beers from local and regional breweries, listen to music, and enjoy food from Burgers by Wildwich (separate purchase from event tickets). You must be at least age 21 to attend, and photo ID will be required at the door. All tickets must be purchased in advance; designated driver tickets available (Brews at the Battlefield tickets).

• OEV Music Weekend (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, Noon-8 pm both days; Old Economy Village
• Enjoy a wide array of bands at a beautiful historic site. Event is rain or shine (will move indoors if the weather is bad); bring chairs and blankets for outdoor seating. There will be a variety of food trucks onsite (separate purchase). Advance tickets only; choose one day or the whole weekend (OEV Music Weekend line-up and tickets).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, June 23, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Jacob Henry, Spotted Lanternfly Operations Manager with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will discuss the spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

• Brews & Bites (in-person); Saturday, June 24, 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features local breweries, live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations and more, in a lovely setting along the Delaware River. Must be at least 21 years old to attend (photo ID required at the door). Tickets are limited; advance purchase recommended (Brews & Bites tickets).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 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 June 27 Sensory Hours).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); Tuesday, June 27, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Today's workshop is "Colors of Our Lives." Open to ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Tickets are $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Call 215/946-0400 (Garden Workshop Series info).

• Acting Workshop (in-person); Saturday, July 15, 2-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Laurie McCants, co-founder of the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, will lead a two-part workshop for students age 8 to 12. Actors will choose a historical figure, research their life, write a script, and reenact them. Second session takes place July 22 (Acting Workshop info and registration).

Summer Camp Programs (camps are in-person unless marked otherwise)

• Brandywine Battlefield Park (Brandywine camp info)
• Live the Battle Week (grades 3-4), June 27-30, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 3-4), July 11-14, 9 am-2 pm
• Live the Battle Week (grades 5-6), July 18-21, 9 am-2 pm
• Step Into the Past Week (grades 5-6), July 25-28, 9 am-2 pm

• Bushy Run Battlefield (Bushy Run camp info)
• Colonial Life (grades 1-5), June 19-21, 10 am-3 pm - June 9 is last day to register

• Drake Well Museum & Park (Drake Well camp info)
• Discovery Days Camp (ages 8-12), July 6, 13, 20 & 27, 9 am-4 pm

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

• Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (LVVFM camp info)
• A Child's Life in the Civil War (ages 5-11), July 18-21, 9 am-12:30 pm

• Old Economy Village (OEV camp info)
• July 17-21, Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm
• July 24-28, Summer Art Camp (ages 6-12), 9 am-Noon, and Summer History Camp (ages 6-12), 12:30-3:30 pm

• Pennsbury Manor (Pennsbury camp info)
• Colonial Camp Week (ages 6-8), July 17-21, 9 am-4 pm

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

• Railroad Museum of PA (RMP camp info)
• Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 9-10), July 11-14
• SOLD OUT Barons & Builders Summer Day Camp (ages 11-12), July 25-28

Free Admission on the Trails of History

The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, the commonwealth’s official history agency, invites the public to explore the state-owned historic sites along the Pennsylvania Trails of History for free on Saturday, September 24. Visit sites on the Military History, Industrial Heritage, Historic Homes, or Rural Farm & Village trails or The State Museum of Pennsylvania to learn about the people, places, and events that make our commonwealth so special. Before you head out, please check the list of participating sites. Then join us for a great day of history.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Saturday, September 24

• Free Admission Day (in-person); site hours vary; participating PA Trails of History sites
• See info above.

• Fall Nature Walk (in-person); 10 am-noon; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about the plants and animals of western PA on this naturalist-guided walk. Pre-registration is required, but you can pay for your tickets at the door (Nature Walk info and registration). Regular admission is free today.

• PA Geography with the Giant Map (in-person); 10 am-noon; The State Museum of PA
• Discover the giant map of Pennsylvania, walk across the state, and test your geography skills (Giant map info).

Sunday, September 25

• Sunday Sewing Circle (in-person); noon-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Bring your needlecraft projects and enjoy some company while you work. The event is free and open to the public (Sewing Circle info).

• Beer Brewing and Garden Highlights (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Explore the recipes and plants that helped feed Pennsbury's early residents. Included in regular admission (Garden Highlights info).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 1-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a private history tour of the outside tracked vehicles including a private look inside the crew compartments. Climb into history and experience our armored vehicles firsthand! Please Dress appropriately for seasonal weather and uneven terrain. Cost is $15 per person, and reservations are required (Exploring the Armor reservations).

Wednesday, September 28

• Family Gallery Tour: Mammal Hall (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will use hands-on objects to help visitors explore the animal dioramas in Mammal Hall. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, September 29

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the history of bicycles, tricycles, and scooters in the museum's collection. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Sat., Oct. 1, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Nighttime tours against the backdrop of the remaining elements of this historic oil boomtown. There are some steep hills and rugged terrain, so please dress accordingly. Advance tickets are required and may be purchased online or at the Museum Store at Drake Well Museum & Park (Lantern Tour online tickets). Some timeslots are already sold out, and others are going fast.

• Apple Dumpling Sales (in-person); Fri. & Sat., Oct. 7 & 8; Ephrata Cloister
• Purchase delicious apple dumplings and support the Back to the Cloister Fund. Dumplings are $5 each. Sale hours are Friday from 10 am to 3 pm and Saturday from 9 am until sold out. Prepaid orders of 10 or more dumplings can be placed online for pickup at the site, and delivery is available within 10 miles of Ephrata Cloister for orders of 20 or more dumplings (Ephrata website for details).

• Garden Railway Tours (in-person); Sun., Oct. 9, 1-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Enjoy a self-guided tour of operating model trains in various outdoor and garden settings at 7 stops around Lancaster County. Masking and social distancing may be required or requested a venues. Tickets are $10 for ages 6 and up, available only via Eventbrite. Location info will be sent after you purchase your ticket (Garden Railway Tour tickets).

• The Farms of the Gettysburg Battlefield (virtual); Tues., Oct. 11, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Tom Lehman will explore the stories of civilians in and around Gettysburg and how their lives were changed the Civil War battle on their doorsteps. Site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a brief discussion. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Gettysburg lecture registration).

• Lunch & Learn (in-person); Wed., Oct. 12, 10 am-2 pm; Graeme Park
• Jim Miller, retired professor of biology at Delaware Valley Univ., will present "Typhoid Mary, Irish Immigrant," exploring the misunderstood history of Mary Mallon and the social policies that resulted from the typhoid outbreak. Cost is $35 per person, which includes continental breakfast, lecture, lunch, and a tour of the Keith House (Lunch & Learn tickets).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Oct. 12, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Oct. 16, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background sound effects in the gallery will be turned off and volume on the orientation video will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Register in advance for a timeslot; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select your preferred timeslot).

A Busy Weekend on the Trails of History

Oilfield equipment on the grounds at Drake Well Museum & Park (as seen at the Spring Gas Up via Facebook)

This weekend is a particularly busy one on the Trails of History, with events large and not-so-large. I hope you'll find just the right thing to suit your tastes from art to industrial history to a remembrance of Sept. 11 (last year we marked the 20th anniversary with a post about the day).

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Today, September 9

• Mountain Craft Days (in-person); today through Sunday, 10 am-5 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• More than 125 craft booths and a dozen outdoor performance venues (not to mention food vendors) dot the grounds of the SHC for three days. Free on-site parking (or free shuttle if weather messes with the fields). Tickets are $9 for age 18 and up, $5 for age 6-17 (Mountain Craft Days info).

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Join us as we talk to Jeremy Banfield, Elk Biologist from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to learn more about history of the elk reintroduction and the management of Pennsylvania’s current elk population. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, September 10

• Annual Fall Gas Up (in-person); 9 am-3 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Members of the Pioneer Steam and Gas Engine Society will be on-site with their display of operating and stationary gas engines made in PA. The museum's Olin gas engine and pumping wells will be in operation, along with the Bessemer engine. The program will also feature oilfield tractors of various vintages. Included in regular admission. In addition, the Hydetown Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary will have a food booth (Fall Gas Up info).

• Antique Pontiac Car Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• The Pontiac Early Times chapter will display cars dating between 1926 and 1954 in the museum's upper parking lot. There is no charge to view the cars. Regular admission rates apply to tour the historic buildings and grounds (Pontiac Car Visit info).

• Railroad Heritage Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Presentations and displays focused on the Pennsylvania Railroad will take place today. Today and tomorrow Artist-in-residence Frank Crowe will be on hand as well. Included in regular admission (Heritage Day and Artist-in-residence info).

• Paws in the Park (in-person); 11 am-3 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• This event celebrates dogs and their humans with a series of activity stations spread out around the grounds. The event is free, but pre-registration is requested (Paws in the Park info and registration).

• Women in the Lumber Industry (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Researcher Hilary Folwell Jebitsch will explore the important roles women have held in the lumber industry and provide in-depth information on the lives of some remarkable women (Women's history program info).

• 12th Annual Crush & Brew (in-person); 5-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Wine & beer from local breweries, home brews, and more, as well as food trucks and live music. Event is presented in cooperation with the Ambridge Historic District. Tickets are $30, which includes tasting glass, a food voucher, and admission to the off-site afterparty (Crush & Brew info and tickets).

Sunday, September 11

• Living History Theatre (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• "Pennsylvania's Southern Border" explores the contentious relationship between the Penns and the Calverts over where Pennsylvania ends and Maryland begins. Join William Penn and members of his inner circle as they discuss how to deal with Lord Baltimore. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).

• Living History Sunday (in-person); Noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Spend some time in the 18th century and enjoy the exhibits and grounds. Admission is free (Living History Sunday info).

• Art of the State Awards Ceremony & Reception (in-person); 1:30-3 pm; The State Museum of PA
• This year's juried exhibit features works by 92 Pennsylvania artists (see PHMC Flickr slide show). The exhibit opens to the public at noon and will continue during regular hours through January 15, 2023. Admission is on Sept. 11 as part of Harrisburg's annual Gallery Walk (Art of the State info).

• Remembrance Day (in-person); 6-7 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Join us for the annual remembrance of the Battle of Brandywine (Sept. 11, 1777) and the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Admission is free (Remembrance Day info).

Wednesday, September 14

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the gallery will be turned off and the orientation film's volume will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please sign up for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select Sept. 14 to reserve a timeslot).

• Colonial Games & Puzzles (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Discover and play with toys, games, and puzzles from colonial Pennsylvania. Test your skills with a bilbo catcher, Jacob's ladder, or a hoop-and-stick. Included in regular admission (Colonial Games info).

Thursday, September 15

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Visit the Art of the State exhibit with the museum educators and learn how artists use line in their work. Try out your drawing skills to create your own art. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

Friday, September 16

• Taurus Star Party (in-person); 8-10 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about 18th-century astronomy and celestial folklore. The program includes identifying constellations, using a star map, and (weather permitting) using telescopes to look at the night sky. Pre-registration is required (Star Party registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day; Sat., Sept. 17, hours vary; several Trails of History sites participating
• Download a ticket good for two admissions to a participating site - you can only choose one museum for Museum Day free tickets
• Ephrata Cloister
• PA Lumber Museum
• Railroad Museum of PA

• Colonial Tavern Night (in-person); Sat., Sept. 17, 6-9 pm; Hope Lodge
• An evening of local brews from Round Guys Brewery, food, music, and history to support the site and its programs. General admission is $60 per person; must be 21 or older to attend. Advance tickets are required (Eventbrite site for Tavern Night tickets).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Sun., Sept. 18, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the gallery will be turned off and the orientation film's volume will be reduced (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please sign up for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (visit PMM website and select your date and time).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tuesday, Sept. 20, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Reduced noise, light, and attendance plus quiet spaces when you want a break. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about several of the historic trains open for visitors. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours Sept. 20 tickets).

• Fall Nature Walk (in-person); Sat., Sept. 24, 10 am-noon; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about the plants and animals of western PA on this naturalist-guided walk. Pre-registration is required, but you can pay for your tickets at the door (Nature Walk info and registration).

• Wine & Paint Night (in-person); Sat., Oct. 1, 5-7 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• General admission tickets include wine sampling and hors d'oeuvres (designated driver tickets available). Ten people can purchase tickets for a private art lesson. Others are welcome to bring their canvasses and paints and set up on the grounds to paint in the evening light. Advance tickets only; must be at least 21 to attend (Paint Night info and tickets).

• Pithole Lantern Tours (in-person); Sat., Oct. 1, 6:30-9:30 pm; Historic Pithole City
• Nighttime tours against the backdrop of the remaining elements of this historic oil boomtown. There are some steep hills and rugged terrain, so please dress accordingly. Advance tickets are required and may be purchased online or at the Museum Store at Drake Well Museum & Park (Lantern Tour online tickets).

New Exhibits on the Trails of History

As summer winds down on the Trails of History, several new exhibits have recently opened or are currently in the works. Curators, historians, craftspeople, and partner organizations have developed these exhibits to share a variety of stories about Pennsylvania and U.S. history, using images, art, and other objects. Some are on temporary display, others will be available long-term.

Just prior to Juneteenth, The State Museum of Pennsylvania opened A Place for All, which explores three stories of racial integration efforts in the Philadelphia area and Pittsburgh. Drawing on research by PHMC historian Eric Ledell Smith (1949-2008), Museum staff combined three stories into a single exhibit and tied them together with additional context. The result provides powerful insights into the Civil Rights Movement in Pennsylvania and features some of the key participants in fighting for racial equality. The exhibit is open during regular hours and included in general admission; it is expected to remain on view for the foreseeable future.

Fort Pitt Museum recently launched a new exhibit, Guyasuta: The Life and Legend of a Seneca Chief. Visitors will learn about the American Indian leader’s allyship with George Washington just before the French and Indian War began and see the bronze maquette for Jim West's “Points of View” sculpture that overlooks Pittsburgh from its perch on Mt. Washington. The exhibit is included in regular admission.

Last weekend, Pennsbury Manor welcomed a new traveling quilt exhibit celebrating the life and contributions of American hero Harriet Tubman. Dreams of Freedom: The Threads That Hold Us Together was organized by the Sankofa Artisans Guild (SAG) and includes quilts submitted by artists and crafters from around the country. The quilts depict scenes and themes honoring Tubman's life and legacy. Included in regular admission, the exhibit will be available for viewing in the Crozier House Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm, through November.

Photo via Drake Well Facebook page

Work continues on the restoration of a replica Densmore Tank Car at Drake Well Museum and Park. Created in 1959 to celebrate the centennial of Edwin Drake's successful oil well, the car was an important part of the Museum's oil transportation exhibits. By the 1990s, however, it was in poor condition and needed significant work. Over the past year or more, staff and volunteers have rebuilt the car's platform and built a new, coopered wooden oil tank (see above). Drake Well posted some images on Facebook in February and earlier this week. Once the restoration work is complete, the Densmore Tank Car will resume its role helping to teach visitors about the history of getting oil from the well to the refinery. You can read more about Densmore Tank Cars in this 1985 article in Pennsylvania Heritage magazine.

Up Next*

*Please note that calendar info is subject to change; we try to keep this up to date, but it's always best to check.

Saturday, August 13

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. According to info at the link, all non-member tickets are sold out, but it's probably worth checking just in case (Armored tour tickets).

• Extended Evening Hours (in-person); 4-7 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Enjoy a late-in-the-day visit. Guided tours at 4, 5, and 6; self-guided tours also an option. Regular admission rates apply, and the Museum Store will be open (Ephrata Cloister info).

Sunday, August 14

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Background effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be reduced (captions enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please reserve your timeslot, you can pay when you arrive (go to PMM online booking calendar and select Aug. 14).

• Living History Theatre (in-person); noon-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Yellow Fever has struck William Penn's colony, and it is a terrifying and mysterious threat. Learn about the precautions taken by Pennsbury's residents and others in the area. Presented at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15. Included in regular admission (Living History Theatre info).

• Second Sunday Beer Garden (in-person); 1-5 pm; Hope Lodge
• Round Guys Brewing Company will be pouring beer under the tent. Guided tours of the Mansion will be available (as they are most Sundays through October) at 1 and 2:30 (Hope Lodge info).

Tuesday, August 16

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - today's topic is Mustard & Ketchup. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 16 Garden workshop info).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; 5-6 pm; Old Economy Village
• This virtual visit to Old Economy will show you the wide variety of things to see and do. The program is part of the Heinz Center Affiliate Program Experience Kits initiative. Please register to receive the link (OEV Museum Spotlight registration).

• Music on the Lawn (in-person); 7-? pm; Joseph Priestley House
• Tonight's event features "9 Degrees of Syncopation," which recreates the jazz music of Django Reinhardt. Please bring lawn chairs for seating. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 265 Point Township Dr. in Northumberland (Music on the Lawn info).

Wednesday, August 17

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about the science of ornithology, the study of birds. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; 7-8 pm
• This month's theme is "Fine and Folk Art." Panelists from five Trails of History sites will present objects, and then the audience votes on their favorite. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Showcase registration).

Thursday, August 18

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

• Family Gallery Tour: Transportation (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Museum educators will be on hand to help visitors explore PA's transportation history. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

• Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); 7-8 pm EDT
• The Oil Museum of Canada will offer a virtual visit to Drake Well Museum & Park with museum educator Sarah Goodman. The program is free, but you'll need to register to get the link (Drake Well at Oil Museum of Canada info and tickets).

Friday, August 19

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Chris Kemmerer from the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources will present a virtual program about PA's state parks. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); final workshop, Tues., Aug. 23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - the topic is Seed Saving. The workshops are open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 23 Garden workshop info).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tues., Aug. 23, 3-5 pm; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces if you need a break from the activity. A few of the historic trains will be open, with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Aug. 23 Sensory Hours tickets).

• Tall Ships Erie (in-person); Thurs., Aug. 25, to Sun., Aug. 28; Erie Maritime Museum & U.S. Brig Niagara
• Festivities start Aug. 25 at 4 pm with the Parade of Sails, a free event featuring tall ships from around the Great Lakes. Ticketed activities continue 10 am to 6 pm Aug. 26-28 and are based along the waterfront (Tall Ships Erie info and tickets).

• 12th Annual Crush & Brew (in-person); Sat., Sept. 10, 5-9 pm; Old Economy Village
• Wine & beer from local breweries, home brews, and more, as well as food trucks and live music. Event is presented in cooperation with the Ambridge Historic District. Tickets are $30, which includes tasting glass, a food voucher, and admission to the off-site afterparty (Crush & Brew info and tickets).

• Harvest, Death & Renewal: Late October Traditions of the PA Germans (in-person); Fri., Oct. 21, 6:30 and 8:30; Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• This program explores funeral and burial customs, powwowing, healing and hexes. It is recommended for adults and older teens. The event involves two hours of walking around a cemetery and the Museum grounds, so please dress for the weather (including your shoes) and bring a flashlight. Tickets are $28 per person and must be purchased in advance (Harvest, Death & Renewal event info and tickets).

Lots to Do on the Trails of History

Learn about cast-iron cooking on Saturday, May 14, at a place where cast iron was produced (photo via Cornwall Iron Furnace Facebook page)

Up Next

Today, May 13

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of Pennsylvania
• Andrew Rohrbaugh, PA Bureau of Forestry, will talk about native plants, ecosystems, and the importance of using our land for food. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime info and registration).

Saturday, May 14

• Hands On History (in-person), Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm, Old Economy Village
• Try your hand at a variety of 19th-century crafts and trades, such as blacksmithing, printing, cooking, textile production, laundry, and more. Regular admission charged (Hands on History info).

• CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER Cast Iron Cooking Demonstration (in-person), 11 am-3 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
• This outdoor cooking demo is free. Regular admission applies to tour the Furnace; the visitor center and museum store will be open 9 am-4 pm (Cooking Demo info).

• Heritage Wool & Textile Day (in-person), noon-4 pm, Daniel Boone Homestead
• Explore the history of wool production and textiles in the 18th century. There will be sheep-shearing and other hands on demos and activities throughout the day. Admission charged (Textile Day info).

Sunday, May 15

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person), 10 am-noon, PA Military Museum
• Background sound effects in the gallery will be turned off and volume on the orientation video will be reduced (captions always enabled). Please register in advance (PMM visit registration info).

• Open-Hearth Cooking and Sheep Shearing (in-person), 1-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
• The cooks will demonstrate 17th-century recipes using dairy products and elsewhere on site the sheep will lose their winter coats. Included in regular admission (Open-Hearth Cooking info).

Tuesday, May 17

• Sensory Hours (in-person), 9-11 am, Railroad Museum of PA
• Light and noise levels will be lowered, as will crowd levels. Several historic trains will be open, and staff will be on-hand to answer questions. Please register in advance (Sensory Hours info and tickets).

Wednesday, May 18

• Music on the Lawn (in-person), 7-8 pm, Joseph Priestley House
• Enjoy an evening of music by Elegance String Quartet on the lawn of the Joseph Priestley House. The concert is free; please bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. In the event of bad weather, the concert will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Northumberland (Music on the Lawn info).

Thursday, May 19

• STEAM on the Rails (in-person), 10 am-1 pm, Railroad Museum of PA
• School group students in grades K-6 will explore activity stations, including interactive behind-the-scenes tours, a live steam demo, hands-on art activities, and engaging presentations about historic railroading jobs. Admission charged. Deadline for registration is May 17 (STEAM on the Rails info and tickets).

Friday, May 20

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Dr. Walter Meshaka, senior curator of zoology and botany, will talk about native and exotic species of paper wasps found in downtown Harrisburg, The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Actor and historian Keith Henley will portray inventor William Chester Ruth during a living history program next weekend. Tickets are still available at the link below (photo via LVM Facebook event page)

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• William Chester Ruth Living History Tours (in-person), Saturday, May 21, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
• Tours are based on the life and work of local inventor William Chester Ruth, who was born in 1882 in Chester County; his father had been enslaved in South Carolina and his mother was a free woman of color. Ruth will be portrayed by actor Keith Henley of American Historical Theater. Landis Valley museum educator Tim Essig will portray museum co-founder Henry Landis. Tour times are 9:30, 12:30, and 3; advance tickets are required (William Chester Ruth Tour info and tickets)

• Trails of History Run (in-person), Sunday, May 22, 7:30 am-?, Daniel Boone Homestead
• This event includes a 5K, 10K, and 1/2-mile fun run. There will be awards for 5K and 10K races, plus special awards for the best-dressed representation of the 1770s era. Advance registration is required (DBH trail runs info). Training runs for new runners start at 10:30 am every Sunday at the DeTurk House (near the front entrance gate off of Daniel Boone Rd).

• Ales & Petals/Cars & Motorcycles of Englad Car Show, Saturday, June 4, 10 am-4 pm, Hope Lodge
• Family fun includes food (for purchase), classic British cars and motorcycles, and live music. Those age 21+ with photo ID can also enjoy craft beer from Round Guys Brewing (for purchase). Admission for age 13 and up is $10 per person; tickets available in advance (Event info and tickets).

• Log Birling Clinic (in-person), Saturday, June 11, 1-3 pm, PA Lumber Museum
• Join museum staff to learn how to stay on top of a rolling log while your opponent falls off. Registration is required (Clinic info and registration).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual), Sunday, August 14, 7 am-?, Drake Well Museum & Park
• This race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, and there are in-person and virtual options. Online registration ends August 8 (Registration info for all categories).

Summer Camps on the Trails of History (in-person and virtual)

I'll add to this as I get more info.

• Bushy Run Battlefield
• Summer History Day Camp; Ages 6-11; June 20-22

• Drake Well Museum & Park
• Discovery Days Camp; Ages 8-12; July 7, 14, 21, & 28

• Joseph Priestley House
• Summer History Camp; Grades 1-6; July 27-29

• Pennsbury Manor
• Colonial Camp; Ages 6-8; July 11-15
• Time Travelers Camp; Ages 9-12; July 18-22

• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
• History Camp; Ages 10-18; August 6-7

• Railroad Museum of PA
• Behind the Scenes of Railroading Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; June 28-30
• Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 9-10; July 12-15
• Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 11-12; July 26-29
• A Moveable Feast Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; Aug. 2-4