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).

Taking a Break

Periwinkle at Ephrata Cloister in April (photo by AKF)

Trailheads HQ has been on a little break this week, so no news to report. But the calendar is full for those of you looking for activities on the Trails of History. And be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar if you're planning ahead beyond next week.

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, June 24

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• State Museum archaeologists will highlight cultural resources impacted by Tropical Storm Agnes 50 years ago. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime June 24 registration).

Saturday, June 25

• Nature Journaling (in-person); 10 am-noon; Joseph Priestley House
• Presented in collaboration with the Ned Smith Nature Center, this program is designed for ages 9 and up to learn how to create a nature journal. The program is free but registration is required; email jphopsmanager@gmail.com or call 570/473-9474 (Journaling event info).

• Brews & Bites (in-person); 4-8 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• This event features breweries from the Bucks County Ales Trail along with live music, food trucks, 17th-century brewing demonstrations, lawn games, and more on the banks of the Delaware River. General admission is $40 (includes beer tastings); designated driver tickets are $25 (Brews & Bites tickets).

Sunday, June 26

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

Tuesday, June 28

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 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. Several historic trains will be open with staff to answer questions. Admission is $7 per person; advance registration required (Sensory Hours tickets).

Wednesday, June 29

• Reading Railroad Days (in-person); 10 am-4 pm, June 29-July 2; noon-4 pm, July 3; Railroad Museum of PA
• Learn about the Reading Railroad during this special event. Event continues July 6-9. Included in regular admission (Reading Days info).

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

Thursday, June 30

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about PA's state flag, explore what its colors and symbols mean, and create your own flag. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info).

Friday, July 1

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith, learn truths and legends about the Founding Fathers, and try writing with a quill pen. For kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission. Please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (StoryTime info).

• Bertolet Sawmill Run (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• The Bertolet Sawmill is one of the oldest working water-powered vertical blade sawmills in PA. Today is a rare chance to see it in operation (Sawmill run info).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Food trucks and live music on a summer evening. Some covered seating is provided, but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 per vehicle (First Friday info).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual); Friday, July 8, 12:15-12:45 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Dr. Robyn Underwood from Penn State Cooperative Extension will talk about the biology and behavior of honey bees. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime July 8 registration).

• "Room Enough for Them All" (virtual); Tuesday, July 12, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Michael Showalter, museum educator at Ephrata Cloister, will present a program on the diverse population of Lancaster County in the late 18th century. The program is free; please register to receive the link (Cornwall lecture info).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wednesday, July 13, 10 am-3 pm; Sunday, July 17, 10 am-noon; PA Military Museum
• Exhibit noises in the gallery will be turned off and the volume on the orienation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Standard admission rates apply. Please register for a timeslot in advance; you can pay when you arrive (July 13 visit or July 17 visit).

• The Dead of Summer (in-person); Saturday, July 16, 6-8 pm; Graeme Park
• This program includes a reenactment of an early 20th-century spiritualist seance and a discussion of the history of such entertainments. Tickets are $20 per person; limit of 20 people each for 6 pm and 7:30 pm programs (Dead of Summer info and tickets).

• 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)

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

• Joseph Priestley House (updated info)
• Annual History Camp; Grades 1-5; 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
• SOLD OUT Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 11-12; July 26-29
• A Moveable Feast Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; Aug. 2-4

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

Change is Constant

This swallowtail caterpillar is munching on lovage in Pennsbury Manor's garden. What critters is your garden feeding this weekend? (Photo via Pennsbury Facebook page)

So what happened was...Although staff at our Trails of History sites have been at work in person for a while - some were on-site throughout the pandemic, others returned in April - it's my first week back in the office since March 2020. I'd been trying to anticipate what it would be like, but I failed to account for all the little pieces that went with teleworking for over a year. Things kind of got away from me, and I hit some technical glitches in readjusting. So this week's post is very brief (thank you for pretending to notice the difference).

Please check out the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual).

However you're planning to spend your weekend, I hope you have a chance to rest and recharge. The gardens and grounds, not to mention the fascinating stories, on the Trails of History can offer the perfect spot to notice the changes that are all around us.

On the Trails of History, June 28-July 11

The full July program page is now available for those of you who want to look further ahead. Many sites on the PHMC's Trails of History will be open on Thursday, July 4; open sites and any special programming are noted below.

(photo Linda Bolla)

On Monday, June 24, Erie Maritime Museum hosted a celebration of the centennial of Pennsylvania's ratification of the 19th Amendment. In the photo above, Gary Lee (right), on behalf of Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper, presented a proclamation to Christal Lepak (left) and Lori Morse-Dolan (center) of the Erie Chapter of the League of Women Voters. Museum staff put together a pop-up exhibit documenting women's suffrage campaigning in Erie - the first women's suffrage parade in Pennsylvania took place in Erie in 1913 as part of the centennial of Perry's victory in the Battle of Lake Erie. The League of Women Voters held a voter registration drive to highlight the importance of exercising our right to vote. For more information, see local coverage on Go Erie.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.

Brandywine Battlefield
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.
July 8 thru week of August 5: Summer History Camp—visit Brandywine's website for more info on each week and to register.

Bushy Run Battlefield
July 6: Annual Classic Car Cruise—classic and custom cars, live music, food, drink, and more. Event is free; regular admission applies to visit the exhibits. 11 am-3 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
July 7: Living History Sunday—enjoy a summer afternoon at the homestead learning about life in the Tulpehocken. Admission is free. Noon-4 pm.

Curttis and Peter Grubb, sons of the builder of Cornwall Furnace, built this mansion in 1773. The Coleman family, whose patriarch Robert Coleman had acquired the furnace and estate, did extensive remodeling in 1865. Included in the renovation was the addition of Italianate architectural elements. Today a few residents of Cornwall Manor have apartments in this building. (photo via Facebook)

Cornwall Iron Furnace
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.
July 9: Friends Lecture Series—Henry Deemer will present "Historic Sites on Cornwall Manor Campus" (more info on Facebook event page). Admission is free (donations are welcome). Lectures are held in Freeman Hall Auditorium at Cornwall Manor Retirement Community. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
June 29: Celebrating Our Country's Heritage—enjoy tours of the Boone Homestead, see blacksmithing and other demos, and support the Keystone Military Food Bank. Requested admission donation is 2 non-perishable food items per person over age 5. Regular admission fees apply to visit without donating food items. 10 am-4 pm.
July 3, 10: Sawmill demonstrations—the site's water-powered up-down sawmill will be demonstrated at 11 am and 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
June 29: Something More Saturday—this month's focus is the Mobile Energy Education Training Unit (MEET-U). There will also be blacksmithing demonstrations. Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.
June 29-30, July 6-7: Historic Pithole open. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.
July 11: Discovery Days—children age 8-12 will experience nature, perform experiments, discover history through artifacts and exhibits and so much more (program offered Thursdays through August 1). Fees charged and registration is required (program brochure and registration form) by July 5. 9 am-4 pm.

Eckley Miners' Village
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.

Ephrata Cloister
June 29: Artisans in the Park Summer Fest—spend the day touring the site, visiting with the artisans and vendors, and enjoying delicious food - all in support of Ephrata Cloister and its programs (more info on the Facebook event page and in this article from The Ephrata Review). Event is rain or shine and admission is free. 9 am-4 pm.
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.

View of schooner Lettie G. Howard with "Don't Give Up the Ship" and LGBTQ Pride Flag (photo Linda Bolla)

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Ends June 30: Blue Star Museum exhibit—several items from the collection are on display in recognition of the museum's participation in the Blue Star Museums program. The items are related to the World War I service of William L. Morrison and William H. Stine. The collection includes the earliest use of the Blue Star Flag, incorporated into personal items and a commercially-made flag to represent a man serving in the front lines. Included in regular admission during regular operating hours.
July 1-August 16: Tall Ship Summer Camp—sail on board the schooner Lettie G. Howard and learn all kinds of nautical skills. Week-long camp sessions are still booking (first week is just 3 days), geared for ages 10-14. Details and registration info are on the website.
July 3: Lights Over Lake Erie Sail—enjoy Erie's Independence Day eve fireworks from the deck of Lettie G. Howard. Tickets and details are available online. 9-11 pm.
UPDATED INFO July 4: Friends and Family Day—free admission and tours of Lettie G. Howard (Niagara will be sailing the Great Lakes). 9 am-5 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on upcoming events and programs. Fort Pitt Museum will be open on July 4.

The kitchen and garden at Graeme Park (via Facebook)

Graeme Park
July 4: Independence Day at Graeme Park—there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence and tours of the Keith House (more details on the website). Admission charged for tours of the Keith House. Noon-3 pm.

Hope Lodge
June 30, July 7—the site is open for tours most Sundays, through mid-October. Admission is charged (cash or check only). Site is open 1-4 pm, with tours at 1 and 2:30.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
July 4: Site open—please check the website for hours.
July 9-12: Summer Sampler Camp—kids ages 5-11 will enjoy a variety of activities, inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. Details and instructions for registering are on the website (Summer Sampler also offered July 16-19). 9 am-12:30 pm.

Old Economy Village
July 8-12: Art Camp—retired art teacher Dee Ruckert will lead the class. Children age 6-12 (6-year-olds must have completed kindergarten) will experience a variety of activites while exploring the historic buildings for inspiration. Please note that OEV is also offering History Camps July 15-19 and 22-26 (details and registration info are in the summer camp brochure). 9 am-12:30 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
June 29: Brews & Bites at Pennsbury Manor—sample beers from Philadelphia-area craft brewers and enjoy food, musical entertainment, and demonstrations of historic beer brewing. The event page has info on ticket options and link for online purchase. NOTE: VIP and Designated Driver tickets have sold out. Must be at least 21 to attend. 3-7 pm.
June 30: Play the Past!—learn how to play popular 17th-century games at this family-friendly event. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
June 30, July 7: Special Sunday Programming—something different every week: Meet the Animals that live and work at Pennsbury (6/30); meet the joyners, blacksmiths, and wool spinners (7/7). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.
July 6: Monthly Book Club—July's book is I, Eliza Hamilton (2018) by Susan Holloway Scott. Book club is free and open to the public (light refreshments served). 10-11 am.
July 8-12: History Camp—learn about life 300 years ago. Geared for kids who have completed 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade. Registration is required (details on website). 10 am-3 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
June 30: Application deadline for Cork Camp scholarships—a limited number of scholarships are available for Cork Camp attendees age 18 and under. More info and instructions are available on the website. (Cork Camp takes place August 3-4; scholarship winners will be notified by July 11.)
July 4: Site open—check website for hours.
July 6-7: Annual Bark Peelers’ Festival—this hugely popular event recreates the 4th of July celebrations of Pennsylvania’s early 20th-century lumber camp workers and “woodhicks.” The schedule for this year's event is now available online. Admission is charged. 9 am-5 pm (events start at 10 am).

Learning about soldier life by trying on military gear (photo via Facebook)

Pennsylvania Military Museum
June 29-30—the 1 pm guided tour is included in regular admission (normally an additional charge).
July 4: Kids Day—kids (of all ages) can try on uniforms from the museum's education collection and learn about soldier life. Have your photo taken behind the wheel of an authentic military Jeep. Included in regular admission. 10 am-3 pm.
July 6: Documentary screening—filmed by the British War Office in 1916, The Battle of the Somme documents the first days of a battle that lasted four months. The museum's press release for this event notes that many of the Western Front action scenes in this film were restored for Peter Jackson's recent film, They Will Not Grow Old. Included in regular admission. 2:30-3:30 pm.
July 11-14: Annual People’s Choice Festival of Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts—celebration of arts and artisans held on the museum grounds (visit the festival website for details). Festival is free, $5 charged for on-site parking at PMM; regular museum admission applies to tour the indoor exhibits. Thurs-Sat, 10 am-9 pm (museum open 10 am-5 pm); Sun., noon-5 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
June 30-July 7 (open July 4): Reading Railroad Days—offered in conjunction with the Reading Company Technical & Historical Society, this program features an enormous HO-scale model railroad and highlights Reading Company rolling stock in the Museum’s collection. Included in regular museum admission during regular hours.

Somerset Historical Center
July 5: First Friday Food Fest—come down and enjoy a casual dinner, selected from a variety of local food trucks and vendors (details on website). There will be live music and tractor-drawn hay rides. This event that will take place the first Friday of August as well. Admission is free; $2 per vehicle for parking. 5-8 pm.
July 6: Family Fun 5K Run/Walk—SHC has a groomed trail that runs through woods and meadows, circling back around to the main site; once around is 5K (but you can take more than one lap). There's no admission charge, and maps are available. This event will also be offered the first Saturday of August. 8 am-noon.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the State Museum website for a full schedule of Planetarium shows.
June 28, July 5: Summer Fridays—Fridays are "Pay as You Wish" for general admission (through Aug. 23). Regular fees apply for the Planetarium, and Curiosity Connection will have timed tickets between 10 am and 3 pm. At 12:15 pm each Friday, a special "Learn at Lunchtime" will be offered (see events page for details).
July 3, 10, 11: Nature Lab—a wide assortment of programming is scheduled for the museum's Nature Lab area (visit the events page for details). Included in regular admission. 11:30 am.
July 5: StoryTime—this month's book, in honor of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon, is Man on the Moon by Anastasia Suen. Reading time will be followed by a planetarium show about the moon, suitable for the program's audience of 3-5 year olds (with an adult). Included in regular admission. 10:30-11:30 am.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for a complete listing of upcoming programs and events. The site will be open on July 4.