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.

Summer is Flying By

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

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

Up Next

Today, July 28

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

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

Saturday, July 29

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

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

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

Sunday, July 30

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

Wednesday, August 2

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

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

Thursday, August 3

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

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

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

Friday, August 4

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

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

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

Advance Tickets or Registrations

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

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

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

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

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

Labor Day Weekend

A rainbow in the sky above Conrad Weiser Homestead (photo David Sonnen via CWH Facebook page)

I hope your summer has been what you hoped it would be. Although it will still be "officially" summer until September 22, and although Daylight Saving Time runs into November, Labor Day always feels like a bookend to me. The days feel shorter - that is, mornings are darker - and it just seems like summer is done. (It's of course all much more complicated than that, as The State Museum explained earlier this week.)

There's still plenty to do on the Trails of History, whatever season it is or feels like. A word about Labor Day, September 5. Fort Pitt Museum and Pennsylvania Lumber Museum are open, but the other Trails of History sites will be closed. As you probably know, some sites are surrounded by parks and have dawn-to-dusk hours, so if you're looking for places to enjoy the outdoors, be sure to check us out.

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.

Friday, September 2

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Read Because of an Acorn by Lola and Adam Schaefer and make an acorn art project. 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).

Saturday, September 3

• Community Yard Sale (in-person); 9 am-4 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Vendors will be set up near the museum entrance along U.S. Route 6 (Yard Sale info).

• Lafayette's Birthday (in-person); 12:30-1 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• Come wish a happy birthday to the Marquis de Lafayette. Site is open 10 am-4 pm with a short celebration at 12:30. Included in regular admission (Lafayette's Birthday info).

Sunday, September 4

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Our historic trades demonstrators will be eager to talk as they showcase their skills. Don't miss the "Dreams of Freedom" quilt exhibit in the Crozier House. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).

Tuesday, September 6

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; Railroad Museum of PA
• Light and noise levels will be reduced, attendance will be lower, and there will be some quiet spaces in the galleries when you want a break. Several of the historic trains will be open with staff on hand to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours Sept. 6 tickets).

Wednesday, September 7

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about the history of amusement parks in PA and our state's role in many innovations, including the first roller coaster. For kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so please sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Explore! info).

Thursday, September 8

• PA Geography with the Giant Map (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Test your geography skills walking across PA on the giant map. Included in regular admission (Giant Map info).

• Virtual Ephrata Academy; 7-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• This month's Virtual Academy features the real Ephrata Academy and education in the Ephrata community. The program is free, but you must register to receive the link (Virtual Ephrata Academy info and registration).

Friday, 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).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• 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).

• Sensory Friendly Visit; Wed., Sept. 14, 10 am-3 pm, and 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).

• 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 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).

Summer in Bloom

Tansy growing outside the summer kitchen at Graeme Park (photo via GP Facebook page)

The gardens and grounds at our Trails of History sites are brimming with flowers, veggies, and greenery. Many also have shade, so if you're looking for ways to keep cool this weekend, why not visit? Not to mention that there's always at least one air-conditioned building. I hope your weekend is full of fun and interesting things. Don't forget to hydrate!

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, August 5

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Wear your best tea party hat or helmet to read Molly Idle's Tea Rex. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Sawmill demo (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Weather permitting, staff at Daniel Boone Homestead will demonstrate the water-powered Bertolet Sawmill, which was moved to the Homestead from its original Berks County site in 1972 (DBH info and a short video preview of what the mill looks and sounds like in operation).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music and food for purchase from local vendors. Some covered seating is provided but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 (First Fridays info).

• Summer Movie Night (in-person); 6-9:30 pm (approx); Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch Night at the Museum (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and ice cream. Advance tickets are $10 each for ages 3+, $15 at the door. Tickets include museum admission from 6 pm until the movie starts outside on the lawn at dusk. Please bring your own lawn seating (Movie Night info and tickets).

Saturday, August 6

• Battle of Bushy Run Anniversary (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 9 am-5 pm; Bushy Run Battlefield
• Learn about the two-day battle between Native American warriors and British soldiers during Pontiac's War, as well as life on the frontier for European settlers and Native peoples (Battle of Bushy Run event info).

• A Tour into the Past Day (in-person); 10 am-4 pm; Brandywine Battlefield Park
• There will be a blacksmith, carpenter, colonial dancers, and other presenters to enliven your visit (BBP event info).

• Friends Lecture Series (in-person); 2-3:30 pm; PA Military Museum
• Meg and Dan Smith will discuss life in the Navy band, including training, duty stations, travel and special events. Lecture is free (donations welcome); seating is first come, first served (PMM lecture info).

Sunday, August 7

• Living History Sunday (in-person); noon-4 pm; Conrad Weiser Homestead
• Living history demonstrations include Native American culture by Darius Puff and 18th-century shoemaking. Guided tours will be available (CWH info).

• Garden Party/Oxygen Day (in-person); noon-4 pm; Joseph Priestley House
• The Garden Party starts at noon with music, children's activities, light refreshments. From 1 to 4 pm, the house will be open for self-guided tours with docents on hand to answer questions. Dr. Priestley will conduct chemistry demos at 1:30 and 2:30 (stop by the Visitor Center to pick up your free tickets). Both events are free (Garden/Oxygen event info).

• Ice Cream Social (in-person); 1-4 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Enjoy an ice cream sundae and visit the historic buildings. $10 ticket includes ice cream and access to the grounds; members get in free but pay $5 for ice cream (Ice Cream Social info).

• Historic Trades (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Historic trades demonstrators will be eager to talk to visitors as they showcase their skills. Included in regular admission (Historic Trades info).

• Summer Concert Series (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
• Miss Freddye's Homecookin' Band will bring acoustic blues to the garden, with some gospel, classic rock, and a hint of country and bluegrass. The event will move indoors if the weather's bad. Concert is free ($5 donation suggested). Please bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating (Concert Series info).

Tuesday, August 9

• Sensory Hours (in-person); 9-11 am; 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. 9 Sensory Hours tickets).

• 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 flower arrangements. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Garden workshop info for 8/9).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; 5-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Make a virtual visit to Somerset Historical Center and learn all the site has to offer. The program is free as part of the Heinz Center Affiliates Program; please register to receive the Zoom link (SHC Virtual Museum Spotlight info and registration).

• The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

Wednesday, August 10

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); 10 am-3 pm; 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 August 10).

• 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 learn about the Mammal Hall dioramas. Included in regular admission (Gallery Tour info).

Thursday, August 11

• 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 to tour the Manor House (PMM Storytime info).

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about memory and logic and try your skills at a variety of puzzles and games. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited; sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info).

• Ephrata Virtual Academy; 7-8 pm; Ephrata Cloister
• Historian Noah Lewis will present a virtual program on African Americans in the Revolution, based on his extensive research on and portrayal of Edward "Ned" Hector, who served at the Battle of Brandywine in 1777. Hector was among thousands of African Americans who served during the American Revolution. The program is free; please sign up to receive the Zoom link (Ephrata Virtual Academy registration).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., 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).

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., Aug. 16-23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - a new topic each week. 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 (Garden workshop dates and topics).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Sun., Aug. 14, 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).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; Tues., Aug. 16, 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).

• PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase; Wed., Aug. 17, 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).

• Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); Thurs., Aug. 18, 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).

• 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).

Looking to August

Photo courtesy PA Military Museum

Summer's halfway over, but there's still plenty to do on the Trails of History. It should be a bit cooler this weekend, so I hope you'll find something to entertain and educate.

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, July 30

• Life Under the Canopy: The Vietnam War (in-person); Saturday and Sunday, 10 am-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Walk through a military camp and talk to living historians about the war in Southeast Asia. The event is free; donations welcome (Life Under the Canopy info).

• Book Talk & Signing (in-person); 1-3 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• William Marcum will talk about his book, The Foreman's Boys, which explores Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 1333 and Camp S-63 Poe Valley. Copies of the book will be available in the museum store for purchase and signing (Book Talk info).

Sunday, July 31

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

• Animals at Pennsbury (in-person); 1-4 pm; Pennsbury Manor
• Learn about the lives of the animal inhabitants past and present. Included in regular admission (Animals at Pennsbury info).

Tuesday, August 2

• 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 making salve with calendula. The workshop is open to visitors age 12 and older; cost is $20 per session. Registration is required; call 215/946-0400 to reserve your spot (Aug. 2 garden workshop).

Wednesday, August 3

• Explore! (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Learn about the science of paleontology and how paleontologists study and preserve fossils. Included in regular admission (Explore! info).

Photo via Pennsbury Manor Facebook page

Thursday, August 4

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

• Games and Puzzles of the 1950s and 1960s; 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Test your skills with a Barrel of Monkeys and the Hula Hoop and see if you can walk a Slinky down the stairs. Included in regular admission (Games and Puzzles info).

Friday, August 5

• StoryTime (in-person); 10:30-11:30 am; The State Museum of PA
• Wear your best tea party hat or helmet to read Molly Idle's Tea Rex. For kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission. Sign up at the Ground Floor Info Desk when you arrive (SMOP StoryTime info).

• Sawmill demo (in-person); 11 am and 2 pm; Daniel Boone Homestead
• Weather permitting, staff at Daniel Boone Homestead will demonstrate the water-powered Bertolet Sawmill, which was moved to the Homestead from its original Berks County site in 1972 (DBH info and a short video preview of what the mill looks and sounds like in operation).

• First Fridays (in-person); 5:30-8:30 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Enjoy a relaxing evening with live music and food for purchase from local vendors. Some covered seating is provided but feel free to bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Admission is free with parking fee of $5 (First Fridays info).

• Summer Movie Night (in-person); 6-9:30 pm (approx); Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch Night at the Museum (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and ice cream. Advance tickets are $10 each for ages 3+, $15 at the door. Tickets include museum admission from 6 pm until the movie starts outside on the lawn at dusk. Please bring your own lawn seating (Movie Night info and tickets).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., Aug. 9-23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - a new topic each week. 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 (Garden workshop dates and topics).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; Tues., Aug. 9, 5-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Make a virtual visit to Somerset Historical Center and learn all the site has to offer. The program is free as part of the Heinz Center Affiliates Program; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Museum Spotlight info and registration).

• The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); Tues., Aug. 9, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

• Sensory Hours (in-person); Tues., Aug. 9, 9-11 am, and 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. 9 Sensory Hours or Aug. 23 Sensory Hours).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Aug. 10, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Aug. 14, 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 your preferred date).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., 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).

• Virtual Talk: Drake Well Museum (virtual); Thurs., Aug. 18, 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).

Potpourri

Columbine in the garden at the Log Farm (photo via Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Facebook page)

It' a little bit of this and a little bit of that this week. Stay cool out there.

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (pictured above) has posted a bunch of new craft classes on their Facebook page, ranging from needlecrafts to woodworking and pottery. If you're looking to try some new skills or build existing ones, this is a great place to start (LVM Facebook page).

Photo via Conrad Weiser Homestead Facebook page

Conrad Weiser Homestead is assisting the Myerstown Community Library by serving as a drop-off spot for gently used books (no encyclopedias, please) for their Fall book sale. If you live in the Womelsdorf area or are planning to visit the site, you can drop off a box (marked for the library) during regular operating hours, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 am-4 pm, and Sundays, noon-4 pm, through the end of August. CWH also shared that Lynn Otto, a long-time volunteer and board member, appeared on "PA Dutch Live," a YouTube show hosted by Douglas Madenford, to talk about the French & Indian War and the Weiser Homestead.

"Taste of Taxation" merch (photo via PA Military Museum Facebook page)

Last weekend, the PA Military Museum hosted "Taste of Taxation," a program featuring history presentations about whiskey distilling in Pennsylvania and the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion in southwestern PA. The museum partnered with Big Spring Spirits in Bellefonte, who provided attendees with a whiskey tasting and produced specially labeled bottles of their small batch rye whiskey for sale (more event photos on PMM's Facebook page).

Photo via Drake Well Museum & Park Facebook page

A new outdoor story map at Drake Well Museum and Park helps visitors learn more about the exhibits on the grounds, including a wide range of oilfield equipment. Check it out the next time you're in northwestern PA.

Photo via Ephrata Cloister Facebook page

Ephrata Cloister's Museum Store is looking for volunteers to make Moravian paper stars to replenish their supply. They'll provide the materials, you provide the folding. A helpful person shared a tutorial in a comment on the store's Facebook post, but I prefer this tutorial that Pennsbury Manor posted back in December of 2020 as part of "Holly Nights at Home." I found it a bit easier to follow.

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, July 23

• Laquin: Behind the Photos (in-person); 1-2 pm; PA Lumber Museum
• Matthew Carl, president of LeRoy Heritage Museum and executive director of the Bradford Counth Historical Society, will bring the lumber town of Laquin to live using over 100 images from the past and present (Laquin lecture info).

Sunday, July 24

• 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).

• Summer Concert Series (in-person); 2-4 pm; Old Economy Village
• UPDATE Betty Douglas will perform a concert with other jazz musicians in the Feast Hall. Concert is free; a $5 donation is suggested. Please bring chairs for seating (Concert Series info).

Tuesday, July 26

• 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 Water. 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 (7/26 Garden Workshop info).

Wednesday, July 27

• Annual History Camp (in-person); 7/27-29, 9 am-noon; Joseph Priestley House
• Camp activities focus on the life of Dr. Joseph Priestley. Fee is $10 per day. Contact the Friends of Joseph Priestley House at jphopsmanager@gmail.com to register (Priestley History Camp info).

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

Thursday, July 28

• Discovery Days Camp (in-person); 9 am-4 pm; Drake Well Museum & Park
• Today is the final day of camp and students will explore the lumber industry in the Titusville area. Cost is $20, if you didn't register for previous camp days this month (Discovery Days info and registration).

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

• Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA
• Explore the General Store exhibit and learn how people used to shop and what they bought. 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

• Garden Workshop Series (in-person); continuing Tues., Aug. 2-23, 10-11 am; Pennsbury Manor
• Join Pennsbury's gardener to learn about 17th-century and modern gardening skills - a new topic each week. 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 (Garden workshop dates and topics).

• Summer Movie Night (in-person); Fri., Aug. 5, 6-9:30 pm (approx); Railroad Museum of PA
• Watch Night at the Museum (rated PG) and enjoy popcorn and ice cream. Advance tickets are $10 each for ages 3+, $15 at the door. Tickets include museum admission from 6 pm until the movie starts outside on the lawn at dusk. Please bring your own lawn seating (Movie Night info and tickets).

• Virtual Museum Spotlight; Tues., Aug. 9, 5-6 pm; Somerset Historical Center
• Make a virtual visit to Somerset Historical Center and learn all the site has to offer. The program is free as part of the Heinz Center Affiliates Program; please register to receive the Zoom link (Virtual Museum Spotlight info and registration).

• The Battle of Brandywine (virtual); Tues., Aug. 9, 7-8 pm; Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Historian and educator Michael C. Harris will draw on his research and experience to present a program on this important Revolutionary War battle. Cornwall site administrator Mike Emery will moderate a short discussion. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Cornwall lecture info and registration).

• Sensory Friendly Visit (in-person); Wed., Aug. 10, 10 am-3 pm, and Sun., Aug. 14, 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 your preferred date).

• Exploring the Armor (in-person); Sat., Aug. 13, 2-4 pm; PA Military Museum
• Take a guided tour of the tracked vehicles on the museum grounds. Tickets are $15. Space is limited and reservations are required; as of earlier this week there were 5 slots available (Armored tour tickets).

• Drake Well Marathon and Half (in-person and virtual); Sun., 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 Hours

Lupines in the Rapp House Garden (photo via Old Economy Village Facebook page)

Although it's not officially summer yet, it feels and looks like summer on the Trails of History. Some hours change seasonally, so always be sure to check ahead to make sure you know the schedule. Many of our sites with gardens are coming into their peak season, such as Old Economy Village pictured above. Old Economy has multiple gardens and a greenhouse, tended by staff and volunteers. This summer, the garden behind the Rapp Houses will be the setting for an eclectic music series including classical, blues, jazz, and light opera performed by local bands, orchestras, and vocalists (if it's rainy, concerts will be held in the Feast Hall). Visit Old Economy's Facebook events page for details. And keep an eye on the Trailheads event listings or the PHMC events calendar for more outdoor music events on the Trails of History throughout the summer.

On Saturdays during the month of June, the Pennsylvania Military Museum is including a free 1 pm guided tour with regular admission. While you're on the grounds, check out (from a safe distance) the current project to remount the USS Pennsy guns or explore the military vehicles and monuments.

The visitor center at Historic Pithole on a beautiful summer day (photo via Drake Well Facebook page)

The visitor center at Historic Pithole City, which is managed by Drake Well Museum & Park, is now open weekends 10 am-4 pm through August (the grounds are open dawn to dusk year-round). The midcentury modern visitor center (pictured above) contains a theater, museum store, restrooms, and exhibits that explain life in the once-thriving oil boomtown. It is well worth a visit.

What will you find to do on the Trails of History this summer?

Up Next

Today, June 10

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), 12:15-12:45 pm, The State Museum of PA
• State Museum director Beth Hager will present a behind-the-scenes look at the new exhibition A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania, opening June 17. The program is free; please register to receive the Zoom link (Learn at Lunchtime registration).

Saturday, June 11

• 2022 Railfest and Arts on Fire (in-person), 9 am-5 pm, Scranton Iron Furnaces
• PA Anthracite Heritage Museum and Steamtown National Historic Site are combining two popular events. The event is free, and there will be music, an iron pour, artisans, food trucks, and a community mural project (Railfest/Arts on Fire details).

• Cast Iron Cooking Demonstration and Band Concert (in-person), 11 am-3 pm, Cornwall Iron Furnace
• Cast iron cooking demos will take place (with food samples) between 11 am and 3 pm, and the Keystone Band of Rehrersburg will perform an outdoor concert at 1 pm. Demos and concert are free; regular admission charged for tours of the Furnace. Seating will be limited; visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs (Demo and Concert info).

• Log Birling Clinic (in-person), 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).

• Lecture (in-person), 2-3 pm, Daniel Boone Homestead
• Author Michael Wescott Loder will read from and discuss his historical fiction book, Taken Beyond the Ohio: The Indian Captivity of Marie LeRoy and Barbara Leininger. The program will take place in the DeTurk Education Center, near the site entrance from Daniel Boone Road (lecture info).

Sunday, June 12

• Living History Theater (in-person), noon-4 pm, Pennsbury Manor
• "A Garden Tour" portrays a 1940s tour of the newly reconstructed estate, with a focus on the landscapes and gardens of Thomas Sears. Tour times are 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15 pm. Included in regular admission (living history theater info).

• Ephrata's Musical History (in-person), 1:30-2:30 (approx.), Ephrata Cloister
• Martin Hinkley and Becky Degan, Ephrata Cloister Chorus director and accompanist respectively, will present two short discussions of Ephrata's musical history following the 12:30 and 1:30 tours (which last approx. 1 hour). The music programs are included in regular admission; if you choose not to take a guided tour, you can still join the music program in the meetinghouse (music program info).

Tuesday, June 14

• Sensory Hours (in-person), 9-11 am, Railroad Museum of PA
• Light, noise, and crowd levels will be reduced, and there will be some quiet spaces around the galleries. Several historic trains will be open, with staff to answer questions. Advance tickets required (Sensory Hours tickets).

Friday, June 17

• Exhibit opening and reception (in-person), 7-9 pm, The State Museum of PA
• Tonight's event is the debut of A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania, a new long-term exhibit highlighting efforts to end racial segregation in post-WWII PA. Admission is free as part of "3rd in the Burg," and there will be refreshments and music (Exhibit opening details).

Advance Tickets or Registrations

• Colonial Cocktail Hour, Saturday, June 18, 7-10 pm, Bushy Run Battlefield
• Explore England's "gin craze," 1720-1765, with tastings and hors d'oeuvres. Cost is $25 per person (Cocktail Hour info and tickets).

• Sensory Friendly Visit, Sunday, June 19, 10 am-noon, PA Military Museum
• Background sound effects in the galleries will be turned off and the volume on the orientation video will be lowered (captions always enabled). Please register in advance for a timeslot; standard admission fees apply (Sensory Friendly Visit registration).

• Historical & Archival Records Care Grants webinar (virtual), Tues., June 21, 10 am, PA State Archives
• Staff will provide an overview of the grant program, define eligibility, and offer suggestions for competitive applications. Offered via Zoom: register for June 21.

• Learn at Lunchtime (virtual), Friday, June 24, 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 registration).

• Brews & Bites, Saturday, June 25, 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).

• "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).

• 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)

• 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 (updated info)
• Intermediate History Camp; Grades 6-8; June 20-22
• 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
• Barons & Builders Day Camp; Ages 11-12; July 26-29
• A Moveable Feast Virtual Summer Camp; Ages 9-12; Aug. 2-4

Halfway Through September?

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights for the coming week below. The Trailheads Rec Room pages to the right of your screen offer an array of online content generated by Trails of History sites. Also, if you're looking for a Covid vaccine provider, check out Vaccines.gov and enter your zip code.

Please note that staff and volunteers at Commonwealth of PA worksites, including the PA Trails of History, are wearing masks while indoors. Visitors are encouraged, though not required, to do so as well.

This Great Blue Heron was hanging out at Conrad Weiser Homestead last weekend (photo via CWH Facebook)

Last week was pretty somber, with our focus on the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001, not to mention the anniversaries of the Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of Brandywine. So this week, I'm just going to share some posts that I hope will brighten your day a bit. I hope you have a great weekend, whenever yours happens to fall, and a restful week ahead.

The milkweed at Daniel Boone Homestead supports native honey bees, wasps, and monarch butterflies.



Pennsbury Manor's kitchen garden is graced with a hyacinth bean arbor that is blooming vibrantly as summer winds down.



Somerset Historical Center had a very successful Mountain Craft Days event last weekend and shared a quick video of their limekiln burning during the night.



And at the Erie Maritime Museum, the cover came off the U.S. Brig Niagara this week, on purpose, so that it can sail to Cleveland for maintenance.

Upcoming Events (in-person and virtual)

Today, September 17

• Learn at Lunchtime (in-person and virtual): program director Bradley Smith will talk with senior curator of zoology and botany Walter Meshaka about extinct birds of PA, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, included in regular admission or join via Zoom (SMOP link for info and Zoom registration)

Saturday, September 18

• Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day (in-person): Ephrata Cloister and the Railroad Museum of PA are participating sites this year. Select a site and download your free tickets by visiting the Museum Day website.
• StoryTime (in-person): learn about PA's crayon history and read "The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Paws in the Park (in-person): celebrate dogs and their walkers, Bushy Run Battlefield, 11 am-3 pm (BRB Facebook for info)

Sunday, September 19

• Open-Hearth Cooking (in-person): chat with the cooks while they prepare recipes from William Penn's time, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (PM link for info)

Wednesday, September 22

• Explore! (in-person): learn about the seasonal change from Summer to Fall, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades 3-5 and included in regular admission (Explore! info)
• History Speaks lecture series (virtual): George Bray will present a talk on John Bradstreet, Bushy Run Battlefield, 7 pm, cost is $10 (Eventbrite link for tickets)

Thursday, September 23

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn about the shapes and colors of the falling leaves, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)