What a Week

Please be sure to check the PHMC Events Calendar for information on upcoming programs (in-person and virtual). I've included highlights 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.

The remnants of Hurricane Ida flooded the 28th Infantry Division Shrine at the PA Military Museum on Wed., Sept. 1 (PMM staff photo)

As I write this on Wednesday afternoon, heavy rain is falling in many parts of Pennsylvania and is expected to continue through tonight at least. Although the weather is expected to clear and be pretty lovely for the weekend, please be sure to check ahead with any Trails of History sites you plan to visit. They'll update their Facebook pages if there are weather-induced schedule changes. Likewise, if you're thinking of visiting on Labor Day (Sept. 6), please confirm that the site is open. Many sites are still on adjusted (from pre-Covid) schedules.

With that out of the way, here are a few bits and pieces I'd like to share. I hope you are safe and healthy and survived this week's weather unscathed. See you next week.

Members of Erie's Life Saving Service during a drill with their beach cart, supervised by a small black dog (posted for #InternationalDogDay)

The Erie Maritime Museum has "opened" a new virtual exhibit, "Surfmen of Erie, Pennsylvania," exploring the history of the U.S. Life-Saving Station in Erie. The exhibit features photos and archival materials from the Freeburg Collection, assembled by Anders Freeburg, who was assigned to the Erie station from 1904 to 1915.

Staff from the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation took a Trails of History road trip last week, visiting Daniel Boone Homestead, Cornwall Iron Furnace, Ephrata Cloister, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, and the Railroad Museum of PA over the course of a couple of days. They shared their trip via the PHF Facebook page. You can visit all those sites, too, and more with a PHF membership!

Before all the rain came, Ephrata posted video of a gray goose and a white goose feeding under an apple tree. I'm sure there are more specific names for them, that's all I've got. Please leave a comment if you know what they are. You can hear other birds calling on the video, but I don't want to guess what those are either. Here ends today's ornithology lesson.

Upcoming Events (virtual and in-person)

Today, September 3

• StoryTime (in-person): this month's book is "The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt, The State Museum of PA, 10:30-11:30 am, designed for kids age 2 to Pre-K and included in regular admission (StoryTime info)
• Artists Conversations (in-person & virtual): fine arts curator Amy Hammond will talk with several artists about how Covid-19 has affected their work, The State Museum of PA, 12:15-12:45 pm, included in regular admission or tune in via Zoom (info and Zoom registration).

Saturday, September 4

• Community Yard Sale (in-person): vendors will be located near the museum entrance along Route 6, PA Lumber Museum, 9 am-4 pm (Yard Sale info)

Sunday, September 5

• Online Benefit Auction (virtual): preview week today through Sept. 11, online bidding takes place Sept. 12-18, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (auction info)
• Historic Trades (in-person): demonstrators are eager to talk with you as they showcase their skills, Pennsbury Manor, 1-4 pm, included in regular admission (Pennsbury info)
• UPDATE 9/5/21 CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER Patriotic Concert (in-person): bring your lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of music (buildings will not be open), Conrad Weiser Homestead, 5-6 pm (concert info)

Wednesday, September 8

• Explore! (in-person): kids in grades 3 to 5 are invited to learn about the history of communication, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, included in regular admission (Explore info)

Thursday, September 9

• Curiosity Kids (in-person): learn how lanterns light up the night and make your own decoupage lantern, The State Museum of PA, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, geared for kids in grades K-2 and included in regular admission (Curiosity Kids info)
• Exhibit opens (in-person): "Witness to History: Col. Paul Evanko's 9/11 Field Notes," The State Museum of PA, today through January 2, 2022 during regular hours (exhibit info)
• JUST ADDED: Ephrata Virtual Academy: this month's program features Cornwall Iron Furnace, Ephrata Cloister, 7-8 pm (Ephrata link for Zoom registration)

Catching Up and Cooling Off on the Trails of History

Last week's post includes events through July 25, and the July program page does the rest. Highlights for this weekend are below.

Tips from the PA Department of Health (via Facebook)

As I write this (Thursday 7/18), the weather forecast for most of Pennsylvania is "hot, hot, hot," with the worst temps and heat index in southcentral PA. I'm not aware of any Trails of History program or schedule changes as of now, and I will do my best to add updates to this post as I can. As always, it's never a bad idea to check ahead with sites on social media or websites to be sure about schedules. Sites with outdoor events or activities will be keeping an eye on the health and safety of staff, presenters, and public (not to mention any animals that may be part of the program). Dress for the weather (as if you don't always do that), stay hydrated, and find the shady spots (more heat-related tips from ReadyPA). Of course, some Trails of History sites are fully air-conditioned - be prepared to have lots of company.



On the other hand, if you, like me, really cannot stand to leave the house when it's this hot, why not stay inside and immerse yourself in the 50th anniversary of the moon landing? I have a very sleepy memory of staying up really late to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin take their first steps on the moon - truth to tell, 7-year-old me was probably asleep when Buzz left the lunar module. In the lead-up to the anniversary, I've watched (or watched again) a couple of documentaries and marveled at footage of the Apollo 11 Saturn V rocket projected onto the Washington Monument (see that and more from the National Air and Space Museum). You can find a list of NASA's anniversary events on their website. The National Archives has gathered all kinds of resources you can browse and dive into, including an item that has always fascinated me--the memo sent by White House speechwriter William Safire to Richard Nixon's chief of staff, H.R. Haldeman, with a suggested speech for the President in case Armstrong and Aldrin were stranded on the moon ("In the Event of Moon Disaster").

The State Museum of Pennsylvania has been celebrating Moon Madness (see website for activities today and this weekend). Earlier this week, they had a program for kids to learn about rockets, which culminated in a launch just outside on the plaza (see video below).

Scheduled for this weekend (as of 7/18)...

Drake Well Museum and Park
July 20-21: Historic Pithole open. Admission charged. 10 am-4 pm.

Graeme Park
July 21: Living History Sunday—learn about the traditions, games, crafts, and foodways of the Lenni Lenape (more info on the website). Admission charged for tours of the Keith House. Noon-3 pm.

Hope Lodge
July 21—the site is open for tours every Sunday, 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 20-21: Civil War Days—the site is transformed into a rural Pennsylvania village in 1863, with reenactors portraying soldiers and civilians (more info). The event takes place rain or shine. Admission charged; tickets are available online from Brown Paper Tickets. Food will be available for purchase. 10 am-4 pm both days.

Pennsbury Manor
July 21: Sunday Programming—see what the cooks are up to in the kitchen. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.
July 20: Paths Less Traveled—explore basements, attics, and other spaces not generally included on tours. Benefit of membership in The Pennsbury Society (joining is easy). 10-11:30 am.
July 21: Play the Past!—learn 17th-century games that families would have played during their leisure time. Fun for all ages. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Log birling competitors at the PA Lumber Museum (photo via Facebook)

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
July 20: 3rd Weekend Program—have you ever wanted to try log birling (aka log rolling)? This is your chance. Details are on the Facebook event page. Included in regular admission. 1-2 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
July 20-21: VIETNAM Revisited—living historians will be on the grounds portraying American combat and support troops “in country” in the late 1960s. 10 am-5 pm (tactical demo at 1:30 pm each day).

Somerset Historical Center
Opens July 20: Traveling Exhibit—the center is hosting "We Can Do It," an exhibit from the Heinz History Center exploring Western PA's role and impact during World War II. SHC has also teamed up with the Turkeyfoot Historical Society to add a focus on Somerset County during the same period. Included in regular admission during regular operating hours (exhibit will be onsite through Sept. 15).

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the State Museum website for a full schedule of Planetarium shows.
July 19: 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, a special "Learn at Lunchtime" will be offered (see events page for details). Tonight for 3rd in the Burg, join Harrisburg Young Professionals for "Moon Madness," with a variety of activities from 5:30 to 7:30 (details).

While I'm Away

Trailheads is taking a little fall vacay this week, so how about a quick list of events coming up this weekend? (Full list of October programs.) Since I won't be here to update this list (accurate as far as I know as of Oct. 6, your honor), please check ahead in the event of bad weather or other circumstances I can't foresee (i.e. please don't blame me if it's rained out). See you next week!

Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces
Oct. 15: Bonfire at the Iron Furnaces—experience ethnic traditions from Scranton's past and present, food, music, a pumpkin-carving contest, and a roaring bonfire. Visit the Bonfire Facebook page for ticket info and program updates. 6-10 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Oct. 16: Living History Sunday and Fall Park Walk—enjoy the beautiful Olmsted-designed park, as well as guided historic tours of the site. Free admission. Noon-4 pm (park walk is at 2).

Ephrata Cloister
Oct. 16: Sunday Conversations Series—Nick Siegert, guide supervisor, will talk about "The Sacred Geometry of the Ephrata Cloister." No fee for the presentation; regular admission rates apply to tour the site. 3-4 pm.

Hope Lodge
Oct. 16: Site open—Hope Lodge will be open 12:30-4 pm, with guided tours at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Admission charged.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Oct. 15: Folk Art and Friendship Series—"Sweet as Sin: The History of Candy," with author Susan Benjamin; cost is $25 (includes samples!). More information and registration materials for this class (and others coming up) are on the website.

Pennsbury Manor
Oct. 16: Open Hearth Cooking—today's event (compares recipes from William Shakespeare's time with those of William Penn, in honor of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death). Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Oct. 16: PALMA Annual Meeting—open to members of the PA Lumber Museum Associates (but you can always join if you aren't already a member), the meeting will feature a screening of the documentary America's First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experiment. Schenck, who founded the first forestry school in the U.S., is featured in the Lumber Museum's award-winning exhibit, "Challenges and Choices in Pennsylvania's Forests," alongside notable Pennsylvania conservationists Mira Lloyd Dock, Gifford Pinchot, and Joseph Rothrock. 1 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Oct. 14: Learn@Lunchtime Program—today's program is Happy Birthday, William Penn. Included in general admission. 12:15-12:45 pm.
Oct. 14: Night of the Great Pumpkin—Tonight's family-friendly Halloween-themed event includes a visit from Triple-J Reptiles, along with crafts, a planetarium show, and other seasonal fun. Admission is free. 5:30-7:30 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Oct. 16: Autumn Encampment and Market—this event combines an 18th-century style marketplace with Revolutionary era military drills. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children age 5-11 (also includes admission to the Thompson-Neely House and Bowman's Hill Tower). 10 am-4 pm (rain or shine).

What are you doing this weekend?

If you're like me, you spent last weekend indoors, glued to the couch, just trying to stay warm. Not that it wasn't productive. I knitted a hat, baked a batch of brownie-cupcakes, and got through the first season (and part of the second) of Gilmore Girls. That's me, always on the cutting edge of popular culture (at this time last year, my husband and I were binge-watching Mad Men to get caught up before its final episodes). So maybe you're looking for something to do this weekend. I've pulled some highlights from the February program listings to make it easier for you to decide what to do. You're most welcome.

George Washington will celebrate his birthday this Sunday at Washington Crossing Historic Park

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Feb. 21: Lackawanna Audubon Society—speaker Joe DeMarco will talk about "Birding in California." Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2:30 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Feb. 21: Fireside Tales—children ages 4-8 and their families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of storytelling in the Wayside Lodge, with a reading of Go Ask the Wise Woman, an Irish tale told at night fires. Dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket if it’s really chilly. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Suggested donation, $2; regular admission is charged for touring the Boone Homestead and the historic area. 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Feb. 20: Something More Saturday—this month, the "something more" is the popular sledding party at historic Pithole. Refreshments will be available. Weather permitting and donations welcome. Start at the Pithole Visitor Center, 14118 Pithole Rd, Pleasantville, PA. 11 am-2 pm. This event was rescheduled from Feb. 13 because of the dangerously cold temps. They got more than a foot of snow earlier this week, so they should be good to go. Nevertheless, it's always prudent to check ahead to be sure.

There will be curling at Erie's Wintertime at the Maritime!

Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara
Feb. 19: Wintertime at the Maritime—shake those winter blahs with live music, heated tents, hors d'oeuvres, and adult beverages. Must be 21 or older to attend. Details on Niagara's Facebook page. 6-10 pm.
Feb. 21: Lecture and Movie Series—the museum will show the new documentary A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned: The Fitzgerald and Her Legacy, produced by the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Nov. 1975. Immediately following, Chris Gillcrist, executive director, NMGL, will present "Tales from the Cutting Room Floor" and take questions from the audience. Event takes place in the H.O. Hirt Auditorium, starting at 2 pm.

Somerset Historical Center
Feb. 20: Tole Painting Workshop—learn about this traditional technique and paint a decorative wooden box, inspired by one in the museum's collection. Cost is $30, $25 for members. Call 814/445-6077 to register. 10 am-3 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Feb. 21: Artist Conversation—tour "PA Modern: A Photography Exhibit of Midcentury Architecture" with exhibit co-curator Carol Buck and Preservation PA executive director Melinda Crawford. The tour will focus on the architecture of the State Museum and Archives Complex, as reflected in the exhibit (which runs through April 24). Included in regular admission. 2 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Feb. 20: Lecture and Book-signing—Fergus M. Bordewich will be on hand to sign and speak about his book, The First Congress. Bordewich's previous book, America's Great Debate, won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in History. Admission to the event is $30 per couple and includes a copy of the book. Free admission for students and active or retired military does not include the book, but books may be purchased on site. Only books purchased on site or included in registration will be signed by the author at the event. Reservations are required - by calling 215/493-4076 or in person at the Visitor Center (open daily 10 am-5 pm). 4 pm.
Feb. 21: George Washington's Birthday Celebration—children are encouraged to bring homemade cards for GW, who will be marking his 284th birthday. At 2 pm, the General will be on hand to receive birthday wishes and cut the birthday cake, which he will share with well-wishers. Admission is $1. 11 am-3 pm.

What does the groundhog say?

Please be sure to check out the February program listings to find your favorite Trails of History site.

So, Groundhog Day (#GHD130) was Tuesday. You've probably heard what Punxsutawney Phil had to say, since he has a robust media operation. Lancaster County's Octoraro Orphie agreed with Phil that we should look for an early spring (they don't always agree). That's a good thing, in my opinion, since Winter Storm Jonas brought Lancaster County (where I live) all of its average yearly snowfall in one fell swoop (or swell foop, as one of my grandfathers used to say).

The folks at Somerset Historical Center had to delay their 18th-century cap workshop by a week due to the storm, but a small group gathered last Saturday to learn hand-sewing techniques while making an authentic cap. SHC will offer a tole painting workshop on Feb. 20, a pysanky egg workshop on March 19, and a weekend-long coopering workshop starting April 29.

(Top) Workshop participants making progress on their caps (photo courtesy of Elyse Bennett)
(Bottom) A finished cap by one of the attendees (photo courtesy of Linda Marker)

This week marked the centennial of the Commonwealth of PA's acquisition of the property we now know as Old Economy Village. As the result of a court case, the land and buildings that comprise the historic site were awarded to Pennsylvania on Feb. 3, 1916. It was, in fact, the first historic site to come under the direct ownership of the state and opened to the public in 1921. There will be commemorative programs throughout the year and you can follow Old Economy on Facebook to learn "100 facts for 100 years." State Rep. Rob Matzie, whose legislative district includes Old Economy Village, sponsored a resolution in the General Assembly to honor the occasion. (UPDATE: The Beaver County Times online has a nice article about the event.)

Happy 100th Anniversary to Old Economy Village!#beavercounty @phmc @Harmonist1 pic.twitter.com/ad9WMImwaX

— Rob Matzie (@RobMatzie) February 3, 2016

Well, they called that one right!

You'll find the January program page has some updated info. The February listings are up now, too, and I'll update them as info comes my way during the month..

In last week's post, I posed a question about whether the forecast snowstorm would be historic or a bust (I also misspelled "snowmageddon"). After closing Trails of History sites in the lower part of the state for the weekend and into the early part of this week, I think we know the answer. #Snowmageddon indeed.

Our offices in Harrisburg were closed Monday and Tuesday, so I am still playing catch-up. As I am prone to doing, I've trolled Facebook to glean some items of interest that I will share with you now. Starting with some lovely photos of snow.

(Top) Pennsbury Manor
(Middle) Somerset Historical Center
(Bottom trio) Washington Crossing Historic Park

Despite some snow (though not the "apocalyptic" (too much?) amounts we got in some parts of the state), the Knox Mine Disaster commemoration went on as planned at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton. They had good attendance and honored both those lost and those who survived (read more in this Citizens Voice article). In other Scranton news, the Scranton Iron Furnaces received a 2015 Happie Award from Happenings Magazine (Northeast PA) for Best Event Venue (they host numerous arts and cultural events each year).

Voting has opened for the 2016 Montgomery County Happenings List, and both Graeme Park and Hope Lodge are candidates for best historic spot (vote on the digital magazine's website). I mentioned last week that Washington Crossing Historic Park is in the running for the Bucks County Happening List in two categories, best historic spot and best scenic view (Bowman's Hill Tower).

This week's "PA Treasures" features a telescope that belonged to Dr. Joseph Priestley and is included in the State Museum's "PA Icons" exhibit. As you know, Dr. Priestley's American home and laboratory are part of the Trails of History.

Will it be Snowmaggedon or Snownevermind?

As I write this on Wed., Jan. 20, the forecasters are duking it out over which model will accurately predict the weather for this coming weekend. None of them look too good, unless you like shoveling snow. Alot. There are events scheduled for the Trails of History this weekend (check the program page), but as I always suggest, please check ahead to be sure the site you want to visit is open. The Somerset Historical Center's 18th-century cap workshop has been rescheduled from Jan. 23 to Jan. 30. UPDATE: The State Museum of PA, Cornwall Iron Furnace, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Railroad Museum of PA, Somerset Historical Center, and Ephrata Cloister have announced they will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 23. Sunday schedules TBD.

One of the events scheduled for tomorrow (Jan. 23) is the Anthracite Heritage Museum's annual commemoration of the Knox Mine Disaster. Sunday, Jan. 24, is the snow date, but I would watch the museum's Facebook page for updates or call (570/963-4804) if the storm doesn't turn out to be a fizzle. If you're interested in mining history, you might want to learn about other events that have been going on during Mining History Month or check out an upcoming program on PBS's American Experience series, The Mine Wars, which explores coal mining in southern West Virginia in the early 20th century. (UPDATE: If you missed the broadcast, you can stream it for free for the next month via PBS.)

The Uncovering PA blog, written by Jim Cheney, recently featured a post about Jim's summer visit to the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. Uncovering PA often includes info on the PA Trails of History.

If you know of a college or graduate student looking for a summer internship in the museum or archives field, it's not too late for them to apply to PHMC's Keystone Internship Program. Applicants can indicate the subject area or type of professional experience they're interested in and designate up to 3 possible internship locations, including PHMC historic sites and museums around the state or any of the Harrisburg operations (State Museum, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, etc.). Application instructions and materials are on the website; deadline to apply is Friday, Feb. 12.

Ephrata Cloister's annual Winter History Class started yesterday (Jan. 21) but there's still plenty of time to attend. Weekly sessions continue every Thursday through March 17 and then there is a field trip on March 31. Details and info on registering are on Facebook.

Washington Crossing Historic Park is in the running for Best Historic Spot and Best Scenic View (Bowman's Hill Tower) in the 2016 Bucks County Happening List voting. Help them win again as they have in the past (historic spot voting site and scenic view voting site).

Wednesday, Jan. 20, was #MuseumSelfieDay worldwide and many people on the Trails of History took part. I'm sharing my fave below; check out @PHMC's Storify summary of tweets from the Trails of History to see more.

Mike and Trisha Berberich at PA Lumber Museum with a friend

And if all this talk of winter makes you long for spring...

The Heirloom Seed Project at Landis Valley is already getting plants started

In Like a Lion

Well, it's March and this week still felt like winter with a vengeance. Luckily, the forecast for the weekend is a bit brighter, or at least warmer. Charter Day is Sunday (March 8), and we will be celebrating Pennsylvania's birthday by offering free admission on the PA Trails of History. Not all sites are open for the season, however, so please be sure to check the list to make sure the site you want to visit will be open. (Please note that Eckley Miners' Village has had to close due to a broken water main; they were listed in an earlier post and press release as being open.) Last week's post had the March program listings, so you can check that for more info on site activities on Charter Day and beyond (I've added some updates and links since last week).

Ephrata Cloister Chorus via Facebook

The Ephrata Cloister Chorus performed Monday night at the Free Library of Philadelphia as part of the opening ceremony for "Framing Fraktur," a multi-institution effort that includes a conference and several exhibits featuring historic fraktur and contemporary art. The conference, "Everyday Lives of Germans in Pennsylvania and the Atlantic World, 1683-1850," continues this weekend under the auspices of the McNeil Center for Early American Studies. The exhibitions will continue into the summer. Ephrata Cloister has participated in this major project through the loan of fraktur as well as scholarly papers (and the Chorus performance).

While we're on the subject of history (we do get to talk about history sometimes), Old Economy Village was featured in two recent articles exploring the economic history of western Pennsylvania, specifically Beaver County. One article looked at religious groups in general and mentions Old Economy. The other explored the significant role of the Harmony Society's activities in driving the regional economy.

And speaking of history and economics (I'm on a roll, now!), Drake Well Museum and curator Sue Beates were part of a recent NPR story about pipelines that looked at the early oil industry of northwestern Pennsylvania. Sue talked about Pithole, our favorite oil boom town, and the network of oil pipelines found there and the surrounding area. You can listen to it here or read a transcript.

Don't forget to turn your clocks ahead this Sunday (or Saturday night) or bad things will happen. That punk-su-tawney Phil will see his shadow and we'll have 10 more weeks of winter. Or something like that.

February 2015 on the Trails of History

But first, I wanted to share two links related to Trails of History sites that might bring a smile on a cold winter day (unless your heart is frozen). Earlier this week, Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara hosted their monthly "Storytime at the Maritime" program, with guest readers from the local US Navy Reserve Center (local news covered it and there's video on the Your Erie website). In totally unrelated news, the Ephrata Merchants Association has a small figure of a burro (aka The Burro of Ephrata - get it?) whose visits to local attractions are posted on Facebook. A recent stop at Ephrata Cloister included dressing the burro in the familiar white habit of the brothers and sisters (photo from Facebook).

Eckley Miners' Village in winter (this photo is a few years old, but I'm having trouble uploading new photos - UPDATE: find a new winter image from Eckley on Facebook)

Okay, so February. Winter schedules in effect, weather-induced closures, blah-blah-blah. Be sure to check ahead to make sure the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there. Fort Pitt Museum and the Railroad Museum of PA will be open on Feb. 16 for Presidents Day; the other Trails of History sites will be closed that day.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Feb. 15: Lackawanna Audubon Society—speaker is Nick Spinelli, executive director of the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District. Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2:30 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Feb. 15: Fireside Tales—children ages 4-8 and their families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of storytelling in the Wayside Lodge, with animal tales Daniel Boone might have heard as a child. Dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket if it’s really chilly. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Donations accepted; regular admission is charged for touring the Boone Homestead and the historic area. 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Feb. 7: Pithole Sledding Party—Enjoy an old-fashioned sledding party at historic Pithole. Refreshments will be available. Weather permitting (as of last week the sledding hill looked fabulous). Call Drake Well Museum, 814/827-2797, for directions. 11 am-2 pm.
Feb. 14: Something More Saturday—this month's program is "Love Among the Derricks." View handwritten love letters from the past, try your hand at calligraphy, and make a Valentine for your Valentine. Included in regular admission; special family rate, up to 2 adults and 3 children for $20. More info on Facebook. 10 am-3 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Winter History Class—each Thursday participants in the Winter History Class learn about the history of the celibate brothers and sisters, the world they lived in, and the work of preserving the collections and buildings. Check out the class schedule for details.
Feb. 11: Storytime—designed for pre-K students, this program will pair a story with age-appropriate hands on activities to help young learners and their adults explore the historic site. Cost is $6 for one adult and accompanying child (age 3-5), $3 for each additional child; program is free with Ephrata Cloister Associates Family Membership. 10-11 am.
UPDATE (and then corrected): Feb. 21: Making History Workshop, Cloaks and Capes - learn to make a simple 18th-century style winter garment. Deadline for registration is Feb. 19 (more details here).

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Feb. 17: Museum Lecture Series—historian Gene Allen Smith will present "African Americans and the War of 1812." African Americans made up 15-20% of enlisted men on all ships and stations of the US Navy during the War of 1812. Program is free; RSVP to Andrew at 814/452-2744 x225 or outreach@flagshipniagara.org. 6:30 pm.
Feb. 20: Wintertime at the Maritime—shake those winter blahs (and your booty) with live music, heated tents, hors d'oeuvres, and adult beverages. Enter the Funky Winter Hat Contest. Must be 21 or older to attend. Cost is $60 per person, $100 per couple (a portion of your ticket is tax deductible). Purchase tickets online, by calling 814/452-2744 x208, or in person at the Erie Maritime Museum gift shop. 6-10 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25: Homeschool Classes—Activities and age ranges vary; check the website for details.

Winter Craft and Trade Classes (details and registration form)

• Feb. 7: Needlebook and Collections Care; Intro to Hearth Cooking; Domestic Medicine Traditions; Basic Blacksmithing
• Feb. 14: Broom Making; Beginning Genealogy; Basic Blacksmithing; Beginning Woodcarving
• UPDATE: this class is full - Feb. 20-21: Advanced Open Hearth Cooking

Folk Art & Friendship (registration form and details, including additional March and April classes)

• Feb. 21: Pressed Flower Art
• Feb. 28: German Paper Star

Feb. 21: Heirloom Seed Project workshops—sessions cover a variety of topics (visit website for class descriptions and registration info). Registration deadline is Feb. 13.

Old Economy Village
Last night (Jan. 29) was the opening preview for "Harmony in Wood, Revisited," which brings back a popular exhibit on Harmonist furniture and craftmanship (Trailheads visited the original exhibit and it was one of our early posts).
Feb. 4: Behind the Scenes Tours—a chance to see the "Harmony in Wood" exhibit, visit artifact storage, and get beyond the velvet ropes in the newly restored George and Frederick Rapp Houses. The evening includes light refreshments. Reservations are required; cost is $20 ($16 for Friends of OEV). The website has more info. 6-9 pm.
Feb 8: Open Sunday—OEV's new operating schedule includes staying open (just the visitor center thru the end of March) until 8 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and being closed on all but one Sunday a month. Visitor center will be open noon-5 pm on the 8th.
Feb. 11, 18 and 25: Beginner Knitting Class—come learn basic knitting techniques and skills. Cost is $25 for all 3 classes ($20 for Friends of OEV); the instructor will have some materials at the first class for an additional fee. More info is on the website, including how to register. 6:30-8:30 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
UPDATE - Feb. 21: Rural History Confederation Interpretation Workshop—this year's RHC workshop is "'At This Unseasonable Hour': Illuminating Night Life of Our Past." Open to historic site and museum professionals and volunteers and lovers of history. Details are on the RHC website. Snow date is March 7.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Visit the State Museum website to see the February calendar of events.
Through Feb. 15: Inaugural Exhibit of Pennsylvania Art—organized as part of the inaugural activities for Gov. Tom Wolf, this exhibit brings together artwork from 45 institutions across the state and features works by a wide variety of Pennsylvania artists. (Find posts about individual artists on The State Museum's Facebook page.) Included in regular admission. (There will be a Learn@Lunchtime event Feb. 13, with tours of the exhibit and free admission, 11 am-1:30 pm. UPDATE: Feb. 13 will be a free day at the museum (more info).)

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Feb. 22: George Washington's Birthday—Celebrate GW's birthday with blacksmithing and cooking demos, a book signing, birthday cards, and cake. Admission is $1. 10 am-2 pm (Genl. Washington arrives around 1 pm to receive birthday greetings and serve the cake.)

Wrapping Up Fall Before Winter Arrives

Yeah, yeah. I know most of you have had snow already, some of it shovelable. But until December 21 at 6:03 pm EST, it's not officially winter. And don't get me started on the non-stop Christmas music playing everywhere I go. (Harrumph.)

The December program preview appeared in last week's post, so be sure to check it out if you missed it (on Dec. 5, the link is just to your right if you're reading this on a PC). I'll be updating as necessary, but it's always a good idea to check with sites before attending events (or just stopping by for a visit), especially when weather may be a factor. There are numerous events scheduled for this weekend, so if you have time, you can probably find something to suit.

"A First Class Restaurant on Wheels" exhibit at Railroad Museum of PA (photo by AKF)

If you haven't yet seen the Dining Car exhibit at the Railroad Museum of PA, or the Chairs exhibit at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, you have until Dec. 31 (if I've missed others closing at the end of December, please let me know.)



"Chairs! Chairs! Chairs!" exhibit at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum (photo by AKF)

Two of the 10 finalists (out of 238 submissions) in the Ephrata Merchants Association #Ephratagram photo contest (on Instagram) are photos taken on site at Ephrata Cloister. And 1 of the 5 honorable mentions was as well. Clearly lots of people in the area recognize the beauty of the site. The staff and volunteers at Ephrata have been working closely with Ephrata Merchants Association to promote the site and the town.

And speaking of photographs, Eckley Miners' Village recently announced the winner of this year's Fall Foliage photo contest. Lorraine Smith of Hanover Township (Luzerne County) was selected from among the entries for her photo capturing the warm colors of an autumn day in the village. Congratulations to Lorraine and all the participants.

On a different note, yesterday's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured an article ("Beer: Thirsty for an old one?") about a cool partnership between Old Economy Village and Dan Woodske, of Beaver Brewing Co. in Beaver Falls. Using a translated Harmonist recipe, ca. 1816, Woodske brewed a batch of schwarzbier ("black lager"). Of the 45 gallons brewed, 10 were donated to Old Economy and will be available for tasting by folks with tickets to the Dec. 10 Holiday Dinner (today, Dec. 5, is the deadline for reservations, if there are tickets still available). The rest sold out at Woodske's Beaver Brewing Co. brewpub before Thanksgiving. Old Economy staff also worked with staff at New Harmony, Indiana (home of the Harmony Society prior to their move back to Pennsylvania in the 1820s), on this project, since the recipe had changed hands some years ago. If you like beer, the photo alone is worth checking out the article, in my opinion. Thank goodness it's the weekend!

Is it Spring Yet?

Fingers crossed, the warming trend looks sort of promising for the official start of spring. Time to think about planting gardens and making plans that don’t include a snow date.



Curator Sarah Buffington at OEV via Facebook

We’ve shared details of the restoration project at Old Economy Village that is focused on the George and Frederick Rapp Houses throughout the winter, thanks to their blogging curator, Sarah Buffington. The photo above shows the arrival of reproduction carpet, based on historical examples. It’s vicarious fun to see these project milestones accomplished. At least it is for me.

In anticipation of their annual brewfest on May 3, Friends of Washington Crossing are once again hosting a caption contest, with a deadline of April 1. You can see the photo and enter by visiting their Facebook page. (Also note that Daniel Boone Homestead has a beerfest on April 5, Pennsbury Manor’s Brews and Bites event is scheduled for June 14, and Cornwall Iron Furnace’s Blast! beer and wine event is on August 8.)

Flagship Niagara League is helping the Regional Science Consortium win a “Grassroots Grant” from the BoatUS Foundation to support a new offshore weather buoy for Erie that would assist all boaters (including Niagara’s crew). You can vote once a day on the BoatUS Foundation Facebook page until March 28 (be aware that you have to “like” their page in order to vote).

Speaking of ships, Chuck Smith at the Pennsylvania Military Museum shared an interesting story with me. He was looking for graphics to add to some signage on the museum grounds to help explain the history of the Pennsy Guns (you can read more about them on the PMM website). His search led him to a Polish graphic artist, John S. Lipiecki, who has done a considerable amount of research and writing on the USS Pennsylvania and similar ships, although his articles are not yet translated into English. Mr. Lipiecki has generously agreed to let the museum use his drawing at no charge.

First Lady Susan Corbett and PHMC Executive Director James Vaughan
with portrait of Hannah Penn via PA Trails of History

A newly commissioned portrait of Hannah Callowhill Penn, second wife of William Penn and acting proprietor (essentially governor) of Pennsylvania from 1712 until her death in 1726, was unveiled on March 19 at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. Hannah Penn is the first woman to have her portrait hang in the Governor’s Office, where she will join other former governors of the Commonwealth. You can learn more about Hannah Penn, especially her life here in Pennsylvania, by visiting Pennsbury Manor.

Weekend events:
The March program preview was posted a few weeks ago, but here are some highlights coming up in the next week or so:

Daniel Boone Homestead
March 23: Women’s History Lecture—Program is at 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
March 29: Edwin Drake’s Birthday—come celebrate Col. Drake’s 195th birthday by visiting the birthplace of the modern oil industry. Also, March kicks off the monthly meeting and demonstrations of the Oil Valley Blacksmiths (last Saturday of every month through October). 9 am-2 pm. Both are included in regular museum admission.

Ephrata Cloister
March 22: Spring Planting—the next installment in the “Making History Workshops” series. Learn about historic seed and plant varieties and start planning your garden. Cost is $15 ($10 for members of Ephrata Cloister Associates). 10 am-noon.
March 27: Winter History Class—class began in February, but you can still sign up for the remaining sessions or the field trip on April 3.
March 28-29: Stuffed Animal Sleepover—preschoolers can leave a stuffed animal or doll to have an adventure at the site, then return the next morning (with an adult) to take part in the same activities. Cost is $6 for an adult and one child (age 3-5), $3 for each additional child; FREE for family-level members. Drop off is between 3 and 5 pm on 3/28; morning program on 3/29 runs 10 am-noon.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
March 22, 29: Folk Art & Friendship Classes—tole painting and scratched eggs are the topics for this month’s remaining classes (registration required, details on the website). 1-3 pm.

Old Economy Village
March 29: Community College of Beaver County—is offering a series of non-credit courses taught on-site at OEV. Homemade Bread Baking will use one of the site’s brick bake ovens. More info is on the website.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
March 22: Documentary Film—“You Enter Germany: Bloody Huertgen and the Siegfried Line,” a German documentary released in 2007 includes archival footage and interviews with veterans. Donations accepted. 1:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
March 21: 3rd in the Burg—This month features the South Central Pennsylvania Scholastic Arts Awards (5:30-7:30 pm) and a Doshi Dialogue in the Susquehanna Art Museum’s Doshi Gallery (6:30 pm). The Scholastic Arts Awards will also be the focus of a Learn @ Lunchtime program on March 28 at noon.

February on the Trails of History

It’s still so cold. How cold is it, you ask? It’s so cold, we couldn’t wait until February to list all the events going on in February. Or to remind you that winter schedules are still in effect, including the occasional weather-induced closing, so please be sure to check ahead before stopping by our sites and museums. Fort Pitt Museum and the Railroad Museum of PA will be open on Feb. 17 for Presidents Day; the other Trails of History sites will be closed.

But first, because I just can’t seem to help myself, another cold weather photo from the Trails of History:


Winter scene, Pennsylvania Military Museum via Facebook
 

And if that isn’t enough, this video from the Friends of Washington Crossing Facebook page…

Post by Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Feb. 9: Mrs. Jefferson – a Presidents Day Program—Costumed interpreter Gina Marie Aleo will present a program about Thomas Jefferson in honor of Presidents Day. Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2 pm.
Feb. 23: Railroad Movie Day—The museum will show the film The Hard Coal Roads – What Went Wrong, a look at anthracite railroads of the region. Program is free, but admission is charged to visit the museum’s exhibits. 2 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Feb. 16: Fireside Tales—children ages 4-8 and their families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of storytelling and learn about Native American life in the colonial period. Dress for the weather and bring an extra blanket if it’s really chilly. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. $2 donation is suggested; regular admission is charged for touring the Boone Homestead and the historic area. 2 pm.
Feb. 23: Black History Lecture—Dr. Teresa Gilliams, Associate Professor of English at Albright College, will explore the social construct of race and how it has shaped the celebration of Black History Month. $2 donation suggested; regular admission charged for touring the historic buildings. 2 pm.

Drake Well Museum
Feb. 8: Pithole Sledding Party—Enjoy an old-fashioned sledding party at historic Pithole complete with hot chocolate and cookies. 11 am- 2 pm. RSVP DEADLINE IS TODAY, JAN. 31!
JUST ADDED TO T'HEADS: Feb. 15: Family Day—Enjoy indoor activities for all ages, including an oil-themed art activity with the Titusville Arts Council and a scavenger hunt. More info is on Drake Well's Facebook page.

Ephrata Cloister
Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27: Winter History Class—each Thursday participants in the Winter History Class learn about the history of the celibate brothers and sisters, the world they lived in, and the work of preserving the collections and buildings. Check out the class schedule for details.
Feb. 8: Making History Workshop, Fraktur—learn about this unique form of writing and make your own letterform. Appropriate for older kids, teens, and adults. Fee is $15 ($10 for Ephrata Cloister Associates members). 10 am-noon.
Feb. 12: Story Time—designed for pre-K students, this program will pair a story with age-appropriate hands on activities to help young learners and their adults explore the historic site. Cost is $6 for one adult and accompanying child (age 3-5), $3 for each additional child; program is free with Ephrata Cloister Associates Family Membership. 10-11 am.
Feb. 22: Making History Workshop, Colonial Medicine—explore 18th-century ideas about health and make a sample of spring tonic. Appropriate for older kids, teens, and adults. Fee is $15 ($10 for Ephrata Cloister Associates members). 10 am-noon.

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Feb. 21: Wintertime at the Maritime—Celebrate winter at an outdoor (say what?!?) party in the 2014 (so far) snow capital of the US. Seriously, looks like fun, with fire pits, heated tents, and warm adult beverages. It’s also a fundraiser and part of your ticket price is deductible (depending on your tax situation—consult your tax adviser or take her/him to the party!). Must be 21 or older to attend. Advance tickets ($60 per person, $100 per couple) can be purchased online; tickets at the door are $65 per person. 6-9 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Craft and Trade Classes/Folk Art & Friendship (class size is limited for most of these; see brochure for details)

• Feb. 1: Apron & Collection Care Workshop; Tin Time; Early American Toys; Basic Blacksmithing
• Feb. 8: Broom Making; Beginning Genealogy; “Heart in Hand” Ditty Bag; Simple Food, Simply Delicious (intro to open hearth cooking)
• Feb. 15: German Paper Stars

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Homeschool Classes—Activities and age ranges vary; check the website for details.
UPDATE 2/10/14: The dinner was postponed to Feb. 15 and tickets are available as of 2/10; call 717/581-0591 for detailsFeb. 8: Victorian Valentine Dinner—a lovely evening with chocolate and champagne in the Visitor Center, a horse-drawn wagon ride, and dinner in the historic Landis Valley House Hotel (complete with strolling violinist). Pre-paid reservations required. Cost is $140 per couple; bring a sweetie or bring a friend. Menu and complete details are on the website.
Feb. 16: “I Thee Wed” exhibit of wedding attire from 1830 to 1930 closes.
Feb. 22: Heirloom Seed Project workshops—Offered in partnership with Backyard Fruit Growers, sessions cover a variety of topics. Visit website for class descriptions and registration info.

Old Economy Village
Feb. 12: Behind the Scenes Tours—a chance to see in person what’s happening with the restoration of the Rapp Houses (sneak previews are posted on OEV’s blog) plus 19th-century clocks in collections storage. The evening also includes a wine and cheese reception. Reservations are required; cost is $25 ($20 for Friends of OEV). The website has more info. 6-9 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
UPDATE 2/5/14: UNFORTUNATELY, THE WEATHER HAS FORCED THE CANCELLATION OF THIS EVENING'S TALK Feb. 5: Friends of PMM Richard Koontz Memorial Lecture Series—SGT MAJ Joseph Keirn, 99th Regional Readiness Command (Ret.), will present a talk entitled “The Battle of the Bulge M.I.A. Diggers,” about an international team of private citizens working to recover the remains of infantrymen listed as missing in action since 1944. 7:30 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Feb. 8: Community Free Day and African American Read-In—the Read-In will feature local African American authors and illustrators providing examples of their work. All children attending the event will receive a free book. Museum admission is free on this day. 9 am-5 pm.
Feb. 14: Learn at Lunchtime—the Giant Traveling Map of Pennsylvania will be on display in Memorial Hall for visitors to explore and learn about the state’s geography. Admission is free between 11 am and 1:30 pm.
Feb. 16 & 23: Exhibitions on Screen—presented by Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM), this three-part film series (3rd installment on March 2) explores exhibitions of the works of Manet, Munch, and Vermeer. State Museum and SAM members receive discounts on tickets; single show and series tickets available. Details are available here.
Feb. 21: 3rd in the Burg—open galleries and special presentations by museum staff and volunteers are on the agenda for this monthly event. Museum admission is free from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Feb. 28: Curiosity Connection StoryTime reading series—Featured book is Peter’s Chair by Ezra Jack Keats. The reading series continues March 7, 14, and 19. Included in museum admission. 10-11 am.

JUST ADDED TO TRAILHEADS, 2/10/14 Washington Crossing Historic Park
Feb. 22: George Washington's Birthday—Celebrate GW's birthday with blacksmithing and cooking demos, a book signing, birthday cards, and cake. Admission is $1. 10 am-2 pm (Genl. Washington arrives around 1 pm to receive birthday greetings and serve the cake.)

Time for Another Roundup

For those of you not hiding under the covers, in the throes of friggatriskaidekaphobia, welcome to the weekend. (For those of you who are, take heart—the next Friday the 13th isn’t until June, and that’s it for 2014.)

Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum in the snow via Facebook

The Pennsylvania Military Museum held its annual remembrance of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. The event takes place against a backdrop of guns from the USS Pennsylvania, one of the American ships on the scene that Sunday morning. PMM posted photos of the ceremony on Facebook.

Sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trails of History have been sharing lots of images of snow, holiday decorations, and programs. For a sampling, you might check out Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Pennsbury Manor, Eckley Miners’ Village, and Old Economy Village. In many cases, visitors have shared their own photos of programs on Facebook, which I always enjoy. One of the great things about social media, I think.

FIG Lancaster, a magazine focused on art, culture, shopping and dining, did a photo shoot at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for their holiday issue and shared a behind-the-scenes look via their Facebook page.

The Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, currently undergoing a major building expansion and renovation, has a new website. In fact, you can learn about the new construction (and lots of other things) on the new website.

If your holiday gift list includes people who like history, please don’t forget to shop the Trails of History. Options for online shopping include Landis Valley, the Railroad Museum, and ShopPAheritage; on-site visits are even more fun. A membership in the Friends or Associate group at your favorite site or the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation is always a thoughtful gift—no need to worry about sizes, colors, or styles.

The Hatboro-Horsham Madrigals performed at Graeme Park’s A Soldier’s Christmas at the end of November.



This weekend: (for info click on the links below or see the December program listings in last week's post)

Tonight, Dec. 13

• The Christmas Tree Ship, Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara, 5:30-8:30 pm
• Holiday at Landis Valley Bonfire, 6-8:30 pm

Saturday, Dec. 14

• Here Comes Santa Claus! Santa’s Workshop and Holiday Bonfire, Daniel Boone Homestead, 6-9 pm (In the event of sketchy weather, check the DBH Facebook page or website for schedule changes.)UPDATE 12/13/13 - DBH WILL BE CLOSED ON 12/14 AND "HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS" WILL TAKE PLACE 12/21
• Santa Shoppe, Drake Well Museum, Registration required, 2-4 pm
• Belsnickel Lunch Tour, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Reservation required, 10 am-2 pm
• Annual Christmas Dinner in the Feast Hall, Old Economy Village, Reservations required (may be too late to get tickets, but worth checking)
• Home for the Holidays, Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 9 am-5 pm

Saturday and Sunday

• Victorian Christmas, Eckley Miners’ Village, Noon-4 pm
• Country Christmas Village, Landis Valley, Saturday 10 am-4 pm, Sunday Noon-4 pm

Sunday, Dec. 15

• Holiday Toy Showcase and Celebration, Anthracite Heritage Museum, 2 pm