Be sure to check out the January program listings for things to do this weekend. Also, please note that the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will be open on Monday, January 19, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday; all other sites on the Trails of History will be closed.
The 99th Pennsylvania Farm Show is wrapping up, but there's still a little time to enjoy the best of the state's agriculture and food products (potato donuts - yum!). PHMC has several displays featuring the State Museum's Archaeology program, the historical marker program (complete with a scavenger hunt), and Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Heirloom Seed Project. Information specialist Sean Adkins live-tweeted his visit and collected the tweets on Storify. It's a nice tour of the show, especially if you can't get there on your own, but you'll have to supply your own milkshake or fried mushrooms.
Although they are normally closed on Tuesdays, the State Museum will be open on Jan. 20 as part of the inaugural festivities for the new governor. An exhibit of artworks from institutions around the Commonwealth will open (it will be on view through Feb. 15) and there will be activities for children.
The folks at Landis Valley are prepping for their 2015 exhibit, "1865: Lancaster County at the Close of the Civil War," which will open on Charter Day (March 8). Among the items featured is a piece of iron balustrade from Lancaster's Caldwell House hotel. The balustrade is from a balcony that at various times "hosted" Presidents James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt (read more about it at Lancaster Online). The piece was collected by museum co-founder Henry Landis, who was born in 1865 and is also a focus of the exhibit.
Wednesday, Jan. 21, is #MuseumSelfieDay. It's a chance to help promote your favorite museum or collection. PHMC social media will be sharing staff selfies and we'd love it if you'd add yours (especially if it's a Trails of History site). Watch for posts on Facebook or Twitter on the 21st.
Freezing History
Today's post comes from guest blogger Lauren Jaeger, who joined the staff of the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums in 2014 as part of the PHMC's Collections Advancement Project. Lauren and her colleague Rachel Yerger have been working on various site inventory projects, collections research, and object care and preparation for the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum's new core exhibits, set to open later this year. Thanks, Lauren, for the text and photos.
“It’s time to take the clothing out of the freezer.” Not something you hear every day, right? But lately two of our curators have been talking about freezing all kinds of objects.
It all started with some bugs - carpet beetles, to be exact. We found evidence of these pests in the textile collections at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. Carpet beetles feed on wool, fur, silk, and a variety of other materials found in museums. Not wanting to introduce these insects to our recently renovated Visitors Center, we decided to freeze the objects.
You are probably wondering why curators would put important museum objects in a place meant to hold ice cream. Well, freezers also happen to be the preferred location for stopping infestations. Cooling an object to minus 20°C for one week typically kills most insects without freezing or causing damage to the actual object. However, please don’t try this at home before doing your own research. Certain objects, such as paintings, can be seriously harmed when cooled. We consulted with a conservator to confirm that our objects could withstand the cold. And don’t worry. We would never put our objects in a freezer with other food items. Several PHMC sites have special freezers exclusively for objects and have been practicing this recognized approach to infestations for years.
Packing the objects for their arctic adventure took several days. We bundled them up in clear polyethylene bags, removed as much air as possible from the bags, and then sealed the bags with tape. Following the advice of the conservator, we gave extra attention to certain objects to ensure protection from the cold temperatures. For example, we covered fragile coat buttons with acid free tissue to provide additional support and prevent condensation. Once bagged, the items were placed in a giant freezer at Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum. Then we waited.
A few weeks later, we returned to Landis Valley to retrieve our cool objects (literally cool…we had to wear gloves to protect our hands from frostbite). After allowing the bagged objects to warm to room temperature, it was cleaning time. Now, most people wash their dirty clothes. Museum people do it a bit differently: meticulously vacuuming clothing and other textiles through a nylon screen to gently remove dust, insect remains, and other small particles.
As we finish vacuuming each object, we carefully pack it for the return trip to the Lumber Museum where it will find a bug-free home in the new core exhibit or climate-controlled collections storage room.
For more information about freezing objects, check out this Conserve O Gram from the National Park Service and this article from the Canadian Conservation Institute.
“It’s time to take the clothing out of the freezer.” Not something you hear every day, right? But lately two of our curators have been talking about freezing all kinds of objects.
It all started with some bugs - carpet beetles, to be exact. We found evidence of these pests in the textile collections at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. Carpet beetles feed on wool, fur, silk, and a variety of other materials found in museums. Not wanting to introduce these insects to our recently renovated Visitors Center, we decided to freeze the objects.
You are probably wondering why curators would put important museum objects in a place meant to hold ice cream. Well, freezers also happen to be the preferred location for stopping infestations. Cooling an object to minus 20°C for one week typically kills most insects without freezing or causing damage to the actual object. However, please don’t try this at home before doing your own research. Certain objects, such as paintings, can be seriously harmed when cooled. We consulted with a conservator to confirm that our objects could withstand the cold. And don’t worry. We would never put our objects in a freezer with other food items. Several PHMC sites have special freezers exclusively for objects and have been practicing this recognized approach to infestations for years.
 |
|
As you might expect,
we have quite a few Woolrich jackets in our collections at the Lumber
Museum. We froze this one along with
over 140 other objects ranging from patches to long underwear. (Mom, if you are reading this, I’d really like
a buffalo plaid shirt for my birthday). |
 |
|
Objects defrosting on
the drive back to Harrisburg from Landis Valley’s freezer.
|
 |
|
I imagine that the
original owner of this Pennsylvania State Forestry Officer’s jacket would be
quite amused to see us vacuuming his uniform.
|
For more information about freezing objects, check out this Conserve O Gram from the National Park Service and this article from the Canadian Conservation Institute.
Welcome to 2015!
I hope your new year is off to a good start. Before we jump into the January program listings, I'd like to share a couple of links to images of the 2014 Christmas Day crossing of the Delaware at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Not quite the same as being there, but for many of us, it will have to do. Friends of Washington Crossing Park uploaded photos to their Facebook page, and the Times of Trenton has an online article with photos.
Please be sure to check site operating schedules before you visit, to avoid disappointment and frustration. Winter brings adjusted days, hours, and/or building availability, as well as the occasional weather-related closure. Most sites will be closed on January 19 for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday; the Railroad Museum of PA UPDATED 1/5/15 and the visitor center at Washington Crossing Historic Park will be open.
Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 10-24 is Mining History Week and the Museum is cooperating with various other regional institutions offering programs. For more information on events, visit the Facebook page, Public History at Wilkes University or this article in the Citizens' Voice [added 1/12/15]. Jan. 17: Knox Mine Disaster—this program looks at the events of Jan. 22, 1959, when the Susquehanna River flooded the mine at Port Griffith (Luzerne County), and explores the effects on the local community. Admission is free. (UPDATED 1/5/15Snow date is Jan. 25.) 2 pm.
Daniel Boone Homestead
Jan. 18: Fireside Tales—come to the Wayside Lodge for an old-fashioned storytelling session, a warm fire (but bring a blanket if it's really cold), and refreshments (more info in the Pottstown Post). The program is geared for children age 4-8 and their families. Suggested donation of $2 per child. 2 pm.
Drake Well Museum
Jan. 10: Something More Saturday—join storyteller Bill Stumpf as he brings to life the tall tales of the oil region's Gib Morgan. Included in regular admission. Special family rate of $20 for up to 2 adults and 3 children. 10 am-3 pm.
Ephrata Cloister
Jan. 2-3: Lantern Tours—this year's tour focuses on the Great Comet of 1743-44 and its effect on the community. Last weekend's tours were well attended, but as far as I know there are still tickets available. Call 717/733-6600 to check. Cost is $10 (age 12-64), $9 (65+), $7 (6-11), and $5 (3-5). Tours leave the visitor center every half hour from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Jan. 14: Storytime—preschoolers and accompanying adults enjoy a story and an activity related to the history of Ephrata Cloister. Cost is $6 for an adult and child, $3 for each additional child (age 3-5). Free to family-level members of Ephrata Cloister Associates or with a Library System of Lancaster County Family Museum Pass. 10-11 am.
Jan. 22, 29: Winter History Class—first two of nine weekly sessions exploring a variety of topics related to the Historic Ephrata Cloister and the world in which it existed. Classes continue each Thursday through March and conclude with a field trip on March 26. Cost is $50 ($40 for members of Ephrata Cloister Associates) with an additional fee for the field trip; or you can pick individual sessions at $8 each. Call 717/733-6600 for details or to register. 9 am-noon.
Jan. 24: Young Curators of Our Community—Ephrata's curatorial and educational staff will answer questions about their work and teach attendees some of the basics of organizing, caring for, and exhibiting their own special collections. Program is recommended for pre-K through 8th grade; a parent or guardian must accompanying children. Cost is $6 for one adult and one child, $3 for each additional participant. Please register by Jan. 17; call 717/733-6600. 1-3 pm.
Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Jan. 26: Storytime at the Maritime—enjoy a maritime-themed story, meet the guest reader, and tour the museum. Please contact Andrew at 814/452-2744 x225 or outreach@flagshipniagara.org to register. Event is free. 10 am.
Fort Pitt Museum
Jan. 5-30: Museum closed—Fort Pitt will close for routine maintenance and exhibit updates, then reopen on Jan. 31.
Joseph Priestley House
Jan. 4: Twelfth Day—glimpse the Priestley family’s life in Northumberland with a taste of the English customs they remembered. The house will be decorated as an English country manor, costumed docents will be on hand, and there will be chemistry demonstrations and children’s games. Admission charged. 1-4 pm. (Did you miss it? Read about it in The Daily Item.)
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
UPDATED 1/5/15 - this program is full; check the website for future offerings - Jan. 10: Heirloom Seed Project Workshop—a professional garden designer and horticulturist will talk about making your garden attractive to birds and butterflies; the workshop will also teach you how to build a nesting box for bluebirds. Cost is $25 (more info and registration form). 9 am-noon.
Jan. 31: Folk Art and Friendship Class—learn about tinsmithing and try your hand at making a simple project. Cost is $15. (More information, including a registration form and a list of upcoming classes, is on the website.) 1-3 pm.
Old Economy Village
New hours of operation in January—the historic buildings of the village will be closed in January. The Visitor Center will be open on a new schedule: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm; Wednesday and Thursday - 10 am to 8 pm.
Jan. 11: Open Sunday—the Visitor Center will be open one Sunday a month, noon to 5 pm.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 28: Registration opens—as part of its celebration of Read Across America Day on March 7, the museum will offer "Breakfast with the Conductor and Catcher [the museum's mascot, Catcher the Cow]" as an add-on. Space is limited and reservations will be accepted starting Jan. 28.
State Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 16: 3rd in the Burg—Deb Watson, a member of the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor USA Honor Society, will demonstrate watercolor techniques and talk about the 35th Anniversary edition of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition, on view at the museum through Feb. 8. Admission is free during this event. 5:30-7:30 pm.
Jan. 18: "How I Remember Martin"—the museum is hosting this program of poetry and personal reflections of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., presented by Nathaniel Gadsden's Writers Wordshop and Jump Street Inc. The program is sponsored by Imani African Christian Church. Museum general admission is free; museum hours are noon-5 pm, and the program is 2-4 pm.
 |
| Not on the PA Trails of History but a favorite photo from the past year (photo by AKF) |
Anthracite Heritage Museum
Jan. 10-24 is Mining History Week and the Museum is cooperating with various other regional institutions offering programs. For more information on events, visit the Facebook page, Public History at Wilkes University or this article in the Citizens' Voice [added 1/12/15]. Jan. 17: Knox Mine Disaster—this program looks at the events of Jan. 22, 1959, when the Susquehanna River flooded the mine at Port Griffith (Luzerne County), and explores the effects on the local community. Admission is free. (UPDATED 1/5/15
Daniel Boone Homestead
Jan. 18: Fireside Tales—come to the Wayside Lodge for an old-fashioned storytelling session, a warm fire (but bring a blanket if it's really cold), and refreshments (more info in the Pottstown Post). The program is geared for children age 4-8 and their families. Suggested donation of $2 per child. 2 pm.
Drake Well Museum
Jan. 10: Something More Saturday—join storyteller Bill Stumpf as he brings to life the tall tales of the oil region's Gib Morgan. Included in regular admission. Special family rate of $20 for up to 2 adults and 3 children. 10 am-3 pm.
Ephrata Cloister
Jan. 2-3: Lantern Tours—this year's tour focuses on the Great Comet of 1743-44 and its effect on the community. Last weekend's tours were well attended, but as far as I know there are still tickets available. Call 717/733-6600 to check. Cost is $10 (age 12-64), $9 (65+), $7 (6-11), and $5 (3-5). Tours leave the visitor center every half hour from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
Jan. 14: Storytime—preschoolers and accompanying adults enjoy a story and an activity related to the history of Ephrata Cloister. Cost is $6 for an adult and child, $3 for each additional child (age 3-5). Free to family-level members of Ephrata Cloister Associates or with a Library System of Lancaster County Family Museum Pass. 10-11 am.
Jan. 22, 29: Winter History Class—first two of nine weekly sessions exploring a variety of topics related to the Historic Ephrata Cloister and the world in which it existed. Classes continue each Thursday through March and conclude with a field trip on March 26. Cost is $50 ($40 for members of Ephrata Cloister Associates) with an additional fee for the field trip; or you can pick individual sessions at $8 each. Call 717/733-6600 for details or to register. 9 am-noon.
Jan. 24: Young Curators of Our Community—Ephrata's curatorial and educational staff will answer questions about their work and teach attendees some of the basics of organizing, caring for, and exhibiting their own special collections. Program is recommended for pre-K through 8th grade; a parent or guardian must accompanying children. Cost is $6 for one adult and one child, $3 for each additional participant. Please register by Jan. 17; call 717/733-6600. 1-3 pm.
Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Jan. 26: Storytime at the Maritime—enjoy a maritime-themed story, meet the guest reader, and tour the museum. Please contact Andrew at 814/452-2744 x225 or outreach@flagshipniagara.org to register. Event is free. 10 am.
Fort Pitt Museum
Jan. 5-30: Museum closed—Fort Pitt will close for routine maintenance and exhibit updates, then reopen on Jan. 31.
Joseph Priestley House
Jan. 4: Twelfth Day—glimpse the Priestley family’s life in Northumberland with a taste of the English customs they remembered. The house will be decorated as an English country manor, costumed docents will be on hand, and there will be chemistry demonstrations and children’s games. Admission charged. 1-4 pm. (Did you miss it? Read about it in The Daily Item.)
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
UPDATED 1/5/15 - this program is full; check the website for future offerings - Jan. 10: Heirloom Seed Project Workshop—a professional garden designer and horticulturist will talk about making your garden attractive to birds and butterflies; the workshop will also teach you how to build a nesting box for bluebirds. Cost is $25 (more info and registration form). 9 am-noon.
Jan. 31: Folk Art and Friendship Class—learn about tinsmithing and try your hand at making a simple project. Cost is $15. (More information, including a registration form and a list of upcoming classes, is on the website.) 1-3 pm.
Old Economy Village
New hours of operation in January—the historic buildings of the village will be closed in January. The Visitor Center will be open on a new schedule: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm; Wednesday and Thursday - 10 am to 8 pm.
Jan. 11: Open Sunday—the Visitor Center will be open one Sunday a month, noon to 5 pm.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 28: Registration opens—as part of its celebration of Read Across America Day on March 7, the museum will offer "Breakfast with the Conductor and Catcher [the museum's mascot, Catcher the Cow]" as an add-on. Space is limited and reservations will be accepted starting Jan. 28.
State Museum of Pennsylvania
Jan. 16: 3rd in the Burg—Deb Watson, a member of the National Watercolor Society and Watercolor USA Honor Society, will demonstrate watercolor techniques and talk about the 35th Anniversary edition of the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibition, on view at the museum through Feb. 8. Admission is free during this event. 5:30-7:30 pm.
Jan. 18: "How I Remember Martin"—the museum is hosting this program of poetry and personal reflections of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., presented by Nathaniel Gadsden's Writers Wordshop and Jump Street Inc. The program is sponsored by Imani African Christian Church. Museum general admission is free; museum hours are noon-5 pm, and the program is 2-4 pm.
Posts
