On the Trails of History, Oct. 4-17

If you're planning beyond Oct. 17, the full October program page is what you'll need.

Please note that most Trails of History sites will be closed on Oct. 14. Exceptions are noted below.

Old Economy Village will host the annual Erntedankfest Harvest Festival this weekend - see below for details (photo AKF)

Bushy Run Battlefield
Oct. 10: Historic Sewing Workshop Series—this series is open to people at all skill levels. Each workshop will have a one-hour of formal instruction on 18th- and 19th-century techniques, followed by an hour of open studio time to work on your own projects or practice in a group setting. Additional dates are Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. See the Facebook event page for details on how to register. 6-8 pm.
Oct. 16: History Speaks Series—the Loyalhannon Spinners will present a program entitled "Sheep to Shawl." Cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door (members receive 10% discount). Contact the site at 724/527-5584 for tickets. 7 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Oct. 9: Friends Lecture Series—site administrator Michael Emery will present "Pennsylvania German Gravestones" (details on the website). Lectures take place in the auditorium of Freeman Community Center at Cornwall Manor Retirement Community. Program is free; donations are welcome. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Oct. 12: Exeter Township Fall Festival—the Homestead will host this year's festival (more info on Exeter Twp. website). 11 am-7 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Oct. 12: Pithole Lantern Tours—see the remains of a 19th-century oil boomtown, check out the visitor center, enjoy live music, and play 3-card monte (watch your wallet). Admission charged. Details, including link for online tickets, are on the Facebook event page. First tour starts at 6:30 pm, last one at 9:30.

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 11-12: Apple Dumpling Sale—enjoy a delicious PA Dutch tradition and support the Back to the Cloister Fund (which has helped to return more than 100 original furnishings and objects to the site). There is no admission charge to buy or pick up apple dumplings (regular admission applies if you want to tour the site). Pre-orders for 5 or more dumplings will be accepted, and free local delivery can be arranged for advance orders of 20 or more; call 717/733-6600. Fri., 9:30 am-4 pm; Sat., 9:30 am until sold out.
Oct. 13: Day of Music—the Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform music written at the site during the 1700s, Mark Herr will present a program about the Miller Reed Organ, and The Dolpehock Sanger Chor will sing traditional Pennsylvania Dutch folk songs (see website for performance schedule). All performances will take place in the 1741 Meetinghouse. Included in regular admission. Site is open noon-5 pm (guided tours will be available).

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for info on events and programs. Fort Pitt will be open on Oct. 14.

Graeme Park
Oct. 9: Lunch and Learn—Jim Rose and Mark Liss will present "The Bryn Athyn Train Wreck," exploring the 1921 tragedy that resulted in 27 dead and 70 injured (read more about the topic and the speakers). Cost is $30 per person ($25 for members) and includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet. Reservations are required; registration form is on the website. 10:30 am-1:30 pm.

Hope Lodge
October 6 & 13: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open from 1 pm to 4 pm, with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Throughout the month of October: Craft Skills Workshops—numerous hands-on workshops for adult are scheduled. Visit Landis Valley's workshops page for details and registration. Costs and times vary.
Oct. 4: Paint Night—the Landis Valley Museum Store will host artist Michelle Verdegem for an evening to benefit the museum and the historic animal breeds who call it home. The subject for this event's painting is a colorful rooster. Registration is required; register online or download a form. 6:30 pm.
Oct. 12-13: Harvest Days—a classic special event and a great way to celebrate the heart of the fall season. Loads of demonstrations and activities for the whole family in a beautiful setting. Admission: adults, $12; seniors, $10; age 6-11, $8; free for members and children age 5 and younger. Free parking and food available for purchase. Skip the admissions lines by purchasing your tickets through Brown Paper Tickets. 11 am-5 pm.
Oct. 17: Hands-On History Days—children of all ages get to experience seasonal chores, hands-on crafts, wagon rides, and more. Visit the website for details and contact info.

Old Economy Village
Oct. 5-6: Erntedankfest - A Harvest Festival—celebrate the fall harvest as artisans throughout the village cook, bake, and demonstrate their craft skills. Music, food, and family activities make this a great tradition. Included in regular admission. Sat., 10 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.
Oct. 11 & 16: Home School Days—explore the village at a special education rate of $5 per person. Registration is due by Oct. 9 for either program; check the website for more info. 1:30-3:30 both days.
Oct. 12: Straw Hat Making Class—Sarah Hershey McKee, who makes straw hats for museums and reenactors, will teach the essentials and get you started. The class is free, but space is limited. You must register by Oct. 4 (details on how to sign up). 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct 4: Escape Rooms—there are two scenarios to choose from, so please read the online ticket info carefully. Some time slots are sold out, but check to see if spaces are still available. Details on the website.
Oct 5: Monthly Book Club—this month's selection is Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth, chronicling her experiences in postwar London. Contact info is on the website. 10-11 am.
October 6 & 13: Sunday programming—Oct. 6, Historic Trades (the blacksmith, joyners, and spinners will demonstrate their skills); Oct. 13, Living History Theater (William Penn’s steward and housekeeper, John Sotcher and Mary Lofty, will be united in marriage according to 17th-century Quaker wedding customs). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct 12-13: Annual Fall Antique and Collectible Show—this event features dozens of vendors and supports the programs of the Lumber Museum. Other activities include sawmill operation (Saturday only); birch still, shingle mill, and blacksmithing demos; and food for purchase in the community room. $5 admission ($3 for kids) includes the show and all museum exhibits and activities. 10 am-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Oct. 6: Friends' Lecture Series—speaker is Jeffrey D. Wert, presenting a program on Civil War-era businesses that made significant contributions to the Union war effort and benefited from the need for goods. 2-3 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 6: Garden Railways Tour—this event features outdoor model train layouts at private residences and retirement communities around Lancaster County. Tickets ($10 per person for ages 6 and up) may be purchased at the museum, at any Stauffer’s of Kissel Hill store in central Pennsylvania, or online through EventBrite. The program flyer has more info; a list and map of participating locations will be provided with your ticket. 1-5 pm.
Oct. 14: Columbus Day—the museum is OPEN today. 9 am-5 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Oct. 12: Heinz Lecture Series—learn about the collection of "Mount Pleasant Glass" at Pittsburgh's Heinz History Center. Lecture is free, courtesy of sponsorship by The Fraternal Order of Eagles Somerset Aerie #1801. 2-4 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Check the Planetarium webpage for a full schedule of programs.
Oct. 4: Archaeology at Fort Hunter—this season's excavations by the State Museum archaeology team wrap up today. You can drop by between 9:30 am and 4:30 pm to see what's up.
Oct. 4: StoryTime—this month's program, designed for kids age 3-5 with an adult, takes place in Nature Lab with a reading of I am NOT a Dinosaur! by Will Loach. Included in general admission. 10:30-11:30 am.
Oct. 10: Curiosity Kids—young visitors, ages 3-6, will experiment with building a nest from found materials. Included in general admission. 11:30 am.
Oct. 16: National Fossil Day—learn about "the Pleistocene era" in the Paleontology Gallery. Included in general admission. 12:15 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing Historic Park calendar of events for details of this month's events and programs. WCHP will be open on Oct. 14.

A Brand New Month

The full August program page is available for those of you who like to plan ahead. I've highlighted events coming up this weekend and next week in the space below.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Aug. 5: Labor Heritage Day—commemorating the coal miners' and laborers' strike of Aug. 1, 1877. At 2pm, an original play, After the Shots were Fired, by Margo L. Azzarelli, Marnie Azzarelli and Alex Lotorto, will be presented in the auditorium. The one-act play commemorates the 140th anniversary of the 1877 riot on Lackawanna Avenue where four men lost their lives during a time of labor unrest in the country. (After the Shots were Fired is funded by a Lackawanna County Arts & Culture Community Project Grant.) The day will conclude with various labor related literary submissions being read from members of our local community. Light refreshments will be served. The heritage day events are free; museum admission is charged to view the core exhibits. Noon-4 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Aug. 5-6: 254th Anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run—there are two battle reenactments (morning and afternoon), so you can learn about the events of August 5 and 6, 1763, all in one day. You'll also find military camps, period craftspeople, and food vendors at this annual event. Admission is $8 for ages 13+, $5 for ages 4-12. 10 am-4 pm both days.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Aug. 6: Living History Sunday—learn about life in Berks County in the mid-18th century. Guided tours offered. Noon-4 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Aug. 8: Lecture—Jim Polcynski will present "Transition from Grubbs to Colemans." Learn about the transition of ownership of the Cornwall Furnace, Ore Banks, and related properties from the Grubb family to Robert Coleman in the late 18th century. Part of the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace lecture series, the program takes place in the auditorium of Freeman Community Center at Cornwall Manor. 7 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Aug. 5: Colonial Games and Gambling—learn about and try your hand at a variety of early American games, such as cards, hazard, draughts, dice, and backgammon. Peanuts will be used for wagering. 2 pm.
Aug. 9: Sawmill Operation Day—subject to staff availability, there will be demonstrations of the site’s water-powered sawmill at 11 am and 2 pm. Free of charge (admission rates apply to tour the historic area.)

Drake Well Museum
Aug. 5-6: Historic Pithole Open—the visitor center will be open, so enjoy the orientation film and the excellent diorama that shows the town in its heyday. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.
Aug. 6: Drake Well Marathon and 1/2—this is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Both races (full marathon and half marathon) begin and end at the Museum and make use of Titusville streets and the bike path in Oil Creek State Park. Proceeds benefit Drake Well Museum and Park. You must register to participate.

Eckley Miners’ Village
Aug. 5-6: 1940s Weekend—learn about life during World War II through home front and military displays, music, food, and more throughout the site. Off-site at 6 pm on the 5th, there will be a Swing Dance at Freeland Public Park Pavilion. Admission charged (separate fee for dance). 10 am-5 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Aug. 6: Ice Cream Social—ice cream (courtesy of Turkey Hill and dipped by PA State Representatives Mindy Fee and David Zimmerman) and an old-fashioned sing-along in a beautiful setting. K-Pets therapy dogs will be visiting, and the winning ticket for quilt raffle will be drawn. Admission is $5 per person for ages 6 and up (younger than 6 get in free). 1-4 pm.

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Aug. 8: Erie Gives—you can support the museum and ship and stretch your donation by participating in Erie Gives Day. Online giving only, 8 am-8 pm, on the Flagship Niagara League's Erie Gives page.

Fort Pitt Museum
Aug. 5-6: Guided Tours—docents will lead one-hour tours of the museum exhibits twice daily on weekends this summer. Visit Fort Pitt's Facebook page for this weekend's tour times.
Aug. 5 and 6: Living History Programs—this "Artillery and Artificers" explores the fort's artillery, the people who fired it (with demos during the day, weather permitting), and the people who made it; 11 am-4 pm both days. The Fort Pitt Fife and Drum Corps will be on hand Sat., Aug. 5, from noon to 4 pm.

Graeme Park
Aug. 6: Hearth Cooking Class—today's class, "Let Food Be Thy Medicine," is the first in a series of four offered this month. Each class is $45 per person ($35 for members), but there are discounts for taking multiple classes. Check out Graeme Park's e-newsletter for details on the other classes and for a link to register for one or more.

Hope Lodge
Aug. 9: Movie Night—bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Presented by Whitemarsh Township Parks and Recreation. Admission is free, snacks available for purchase. Starts at dusk. (Raindate is Aug. 10.)

Joseph Priestley House
Aug. 6: Oxygen Day—in honor of Dr. Priestley’s best known scientific contribution, this program features costumed docents throughout the house and chemistry demonstrations (more info on the website). Admission is free. 1-4 pm; chemistry demos at 1:30 and 2:30 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Aug. 8: Hands-On History Day—experience chores, games, and crafts from the past, take a wagon ride, and learn your lessons in the one-room schoolhouse (more info and online ticketing on website). Cost is $11 per person (FREE for Landis Valley Associate members and kids age 5 and under). 10 am-3 pm.

Old Economy Village
Aug. 5: Spotlight Saturday—glimpse life and work in the 19th century through demonstrations and tours. This week's focus is blacksmithing. Included in regular admission, so please start at the Visitor Center. 11 am-4 pm (site open 10 am-5 pm).

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Aug 5-6: Guided Tours—the 1 pm guided tour each day is included in museum admission.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Aug. 4: Free Summer Friday, StoryTime, and Learn at Lunchtime—admission is free all day on Fridays in the summer; timed tickets will be available for 45 minutes of play in Curiosity Connection; regular fees apply for the Planetarium. Today's StoryTime program (10-11 am) will include a tour of selected works in the "Art of the State" exhibit and a reading of Perfect Square by Michael Hall. Today's Learn at Lunchtime program (12:15 pm in Nature Lab) is "Pennsylvania Birds."
Aug. 6: Artist's Conversations—take an informal tour of this year's "Art of the State" exhibit with artist Michael Brolly, first prize winner in the Craft category, and Collections Advancement Project curator Carol Buck. Included in general admission. 2-3 pm.
Aug. 7-10: Nature Lab and Planetarium—visit the Museum's events page for details.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Aug. 6: Kayak the Canal—all equipment will be provided and no kayaking experience is required for this leisurely paddle along the Delaware Canal. Cost is $5 per person and you must pre-register. Register online for either the 10 am-noon paddle or the 1-3 pm paddle.

National Get Outdoors Day

The June program page has info on events and activities on the Trails of History through the end of the month.

Retired forester Stan Hess leads a wildflower walk on the PA Lumber Museum's Sustainable Forestry Trail, May 2017 (via Facebook)

Tomorrow, June 10, is National Get Outdoors Day. I know, it snuck up on me too. Always does. I read about it in the electronic newsletter of the PA Parks and Forests Foundation. I was reminded of a tourism study from last year (I think) that showed that people who like to do outdoor activities also seem to really like exploring history (going to historic sites, etc.).

And that made me think about how many sites on the PA Trails of History offer some of both to the public. Many of our sites have beautiful grounds and parkland that people enjoy just for the sake of being outdoors. They may not even think about the history nearby. And many of our sites are looking for ways to gently remind those folks about the work and investment (of public and private dollars) it takes to maintain the grounds and preserve the history. But I digress.

Increasingly, staff and volunteers at PHMC sites are working with colleagues at state parks, which are part of the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), to provide the public with experiences that satisfy or nurture historical curiosity alongside an appreciation of nature and of sustainable ways to interact with nature. (You may know that in early 2016, Washington Crossing Historic Park formally moved from PHMC's portfolio to DCNR's although it remains part of the PA Trails of History.) Recently, two programs came across my radar that reflect the cooperation between the two agencies.

Spring at Eckley (via Facebook)

Last Thursday, as part of a program series geared to older adults and retirees, staff from Nescopeck State Park in Luzerne County teamed up with staff from Eckley Miners' Village. Attendees toured the village, learning about the history of anthracite mining, life in a patch town, and features of the natural landscape. Eckley has also been working to regularly interpret (through graphics panels on the grounds) natural features and the geology of coal, as well as attracting outdoor enthusiasts using the newly expanded Rails-to-Trails project connecting the village to Hazleton.

In late May, 73 students from Northern Potter Middle School visited the PA Lumber Museum. A Facebook post by the school district recounted that the students "toured the museum and the grounds and learned about lumber uses and the history of the lumber industry in Pennsylvania. They learned how foresters use different types of maps to make forestry decisions as well." Museum staff report that the students were really engaged and interested. The group then moved on to Lyman Run State Park, where they participated in hands-on activities to learn about logging methods and how loggers floated logs downstream. In addition, they assisted the museum with testing out a raft-building exercise for an upcoming summer camp program. (Photos of all of these activities are in the School District's Facebook post.)

In a different vein, The State Museum of PA's popular Story Time program moved outside last week to take advantage of some tree-shaded areas outside the museum.

It’s a great day to read outside – especially when you’re reading the #PAOneBook #DanielFindsAPoem! 📚☀️ @PAPromise @StateMuseumPA pic.twitter.com/Kcc1WEc7sq

— PA Dept of Education (@PADeptofEd) June 2, 2017

Outdoor special events planned for June 10 are listed below. There are many more opportunities to be outdoors on the Trails of History (check the June program listing for more info):

Fort Pitt Museum
Living History Series—today's focus is the Ft. Pitt Fife and Drum Corps. Noon-4 pm.

Old Economy Village
Saturday Spotlight—19th-century Foodways: Bread-baking and Cooking. Included in regular admission, so please start at the Visitor Center. 10 am-5 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Youth and Family Field Day—this event, which runs 9 am-4 pm, is geared for students between the ages of 10 and 16, accompanied by an adult family member. Qualified instructors will teach a variety of outdoor skills: Wildlife Identification, Turkey Lore/Calling, Archery, Pellet Shooting, Astronomy (observing the sun through a special telescope), Fly Casting, Trapping, and Tree Identification. Thanks to sponsorships, this event is free, but registration is required. Registration closed yesterday, so if you're interested you must call TODAY, June 9, to see if space is available.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Historical and Nature-related Programs—environmental educator Katie Scott will lead a river's edge bird-watching session, 8:30-9:30 am (meet at the visitor center), and staff from Bucks County Library (Yardley branch) will offer storytime and a nature activity for kids of all ages, 2:30-3:30 pm in the picnic area across from the visitor center (visit Washington Crossing's events page for more information.

Updated info - additional outdoor opportunities on the Trails of History:

Ephrata Cloister is participating in the Ephrata Public Library's "Get Outdoors" program, as one of the stops on the program's landmarks scavenger hunt. Kids and their families use a map to visit parks and other outdoor venues in and around Ephrata. Each stop has a post with a metal symbol on top that is used to make a rubbing on the map. Ephrata Cloister's post represents a post office. For more information visit the project website.

Summer Break and Other Odysseys

The June program page is now up and running.

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

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

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

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

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


In other news...

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

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

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

How did it get to be March already?

The March program page is up and running, along with the list of Trails of History sites open on Sunday, March 12, for Charter Day.

On February 17, PHMC participated in #DayofFacts, which was an effort to highlight the work of museums, libraries, and other cultural organizations that are trusted sources of information about a myriad of issues. Sean Adkins, PHMC's social media manager, compiled tweets from the Trails of History on Storify. Please take a look to see some of the info we shared.

Episode 217 of the Chemical Heritage Foundation's "Distillations" podcast looks at the cultural history and science of "fizzy water," noting the contributions of Joseph Priestley to the science of artificial carbonation (take a listen - it's a little over 13 minutes and the Priestley story comes near the end, but the whole thing was interesting to me). You can also learn about Priestley's life and work at the Joseph Priestley House in Northumberland, part of the PA Trails of History. Lab demos and house tours will be on tap at Priestley House on Charter Day.



The PHMC's annual Summer Apprenticeship Program is currently accepting applications for a variety of training programs at various locations. PHMC and several partner organizations are offering paid 12-week apprenticeships for this summer to introduce students to the preservation and traditional building trades. The program is open to people with building trades experience and students/recent graduates of post-secondary trade schools, technical colleges, and other training programs. Hiring is handled separately by each sponsoring company or institution - find the info you need on the PHMC website and review the opportunities. The hiring period ends April 30.


Today, March 3

• Pennsylvania Military Museum, Military PT on Grounds. Meet at the flagpoles at 1600 (4 pm) for some physical training and a 1-2 mile run on the grounds (learn a little about the military equipment and memorials). This is the inaugural offering of this program; it will continue on Mondays and Fridays through the month (and, we hope, beyond). No registration necessary; just show up.
• State Museum of Pennsylvania, Storytime. Read Fire Engine No. 9, by Mike Austin, and explore the Transportation and Industry Gallery (more details). Included in general admission. 10-11 am.

Saturday, March 4

• Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Scratched Eggs class (registration required, details on this and upcoming classes). Cost is $30 (includes materials). 1-4 pm.
• Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Read Across America Day. Enjoy stories about trains, railroads, and amazing people, places, and things, read by a host of local notables (program flyer with storytimes). Included in regular admission. 9 am-5 pm.
• Somerset Historical Center, Volunteer Recruitment Event. Meet staff and current volunteers to see what possibilities await you. Event is free. 9 am-noon.

Sunday, March 5

• Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, Heroes of Conservation Film Showing and Panel Discussion. The museum will show two documentaries, Mira Lloyd Dock: A Beautiful Crusade and Gifford Pinchot's Conservation Legacy starting at 1 pm (each runs about 30 minutes); a panel discussion will follow (more info on Facebook).