Trails of History Events Dec. 1-13

UPDATE 12/5/2018: Some Trails of History sites are closing early today, Dec. 5, as Gov. Wolf has authorized an early dismissal in honor of the National Day of Mourning for Pres. George H.W. Bush. Please check ahead before visiting. All sites will be back on their regular Thursday schedules tomorrow.

We're rounding the corner into December already. I hope everyone had a pleasant and safe Thanksgiving weekend. If you want to plan ahead beyond Dec. 13, the full December program page is available. In addition to special events, please note that winter seasonal schedules continue to be phased in this month, so be sure to check ahead before visiting.

Santa will visit the PA Lumber Museum on Dec. 8; see below for more info (via Facebook)

Anthracite Heritage Museum
Dec. 1: Exhibit opening—"Anthracite Photographers: Photographers of Anthracite" explores over 140 years of photography in Pennsylvania's hard coal region (read more on Facebook page). An opening reception, sponsored by Misericordia University, will take place at 2 pm (museum admission will be free on 12/1 from 1 pm onward). Museum open 9 am-5 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Dec. 8: Colonial Christmas Party—kids age 4-12 are invited to learn about and make homemade decorations, learn a colonial-era dance, and enjoy a snack. Cost is $5 per child. Advance registration is required: contact Marlene at 724/744-4193 or secretary@bushyrunbattlefield.com. 2-4 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Dec. 2: Christmas Open House—enjoy one last chance to visit the homestead in 2018 (site will be open by appointment only until Charter Day in March). The Visitor Center Bookstore will be open and books will be marked down 10% (more details on the Facebook event page). Guided tours will be available. Admission is free; donations gratefully accepted. Noon-4 pm.

Cornwall Iron Furnace
Dec. 1: Christmas at Cornwall House Tour—this annual tour lets you explore private homes in the Cornwall/Lebanon/Mount Gretna area (info on this year's homes) while supporting the Friends of Cornwall Iron Furnace. Tickets are $15 in advance at several locations in the community and at the Furnace. Tickets are $20 on the day of the tour and are available only at the Iron Furnace. Your ticket includes a guided tour of the Furnace, which you may redeem during regular operating hours up through Dec. 29, 2017. Light refreshments will be offered throughout the day at the Furnace. 10 am-4 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Dec. 7-8: Christkindlmarket—crafts, wine, candlelight, and shopping (details on the Boone home page). Admission is $7 for ages 12 and up (members pay less). Check website for info on combo ticket ($10) with the "Christmas at Johanna Furnace" event. Tickets available by calling 610/582-4900. DBH event is 4-9 pm both days.

Eckley Miners' Village
Dec. 1-2: Christmas at Eckley—from carolers to cocoa, crafts to St. Nick, you are sure to find something delightful in this old-fashioned Christmas celebration (details on Facebook event page). Admission is $7 per person; bring an unexpired, non-perishable food item and receive $1 off your ticket.

Ephrata Cloister
As of Dec. 1, tickets are on sale for this year's Lantern Tours, scheduled for Dec. 26-29 (more info on website).
Dec. 10-11: Christmas at the Cloister—this popular annual program combines seasonal readings and traditional music performed by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus in the 1741 Meetinghouse (Saal). Performance times are 6:30 and 8 pm each evening. UPDATE 12/3: the 6:30 performance on 12/10 is sold out, but tickets remain for other performances. Tickets are $6 per person and seating is limited. Purchase tickets from the Museum Store by calling 717/733-2592 or order by mail (see website for instructions) You may also want to keep an eye on the Facebook event page for updates on ticket availability and to see a video.

Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara
Dec. 8: The Christmas Tree Ship—Niagara will be lit up for Christmas, and there will be lots of family activities, a visit with Santa and a live reindeer (due to arrive at 5:45 pm), and the story of The Christmas Tree Ship (more program details on the website). Admission is free. The museum is a Toys for Tots collection site. For $50, you can sponsor a Christmas tree and decorations for a local family (sponsorships are payable online). 5:30-8:30 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on programs and schedules.

Graeme Park
Dec. 6: Gingerbread House Workshop—you'll work with a kit and receive instructions and then you'll be free to let your creativity loose (more info on website). Light refreshments will be served. Cost is $15 per person. Space is limited. Prepaid reservations required; contact Beth at beth.maccausland@gmail.com or 215-915-9453. 7-9 pm.

Hope Lodge
Dec. 1: Holidays at Hope Lodge—tour the mansion at your leisure to enjoy the festive decorations and enjoy light refreshments (details on the website). Admission charged, but at a reduced rate for this event. Visitors age 21 and older (with ID) will, for an additional fee, be able to taste seasonal ales from Round Guys Brewing Company in the summer kitchen. 11 am-5 pm.
Dec. 8: Christmas Tours—guided tours of the mansion will be offered at 10 and 11:30 am, 1 and 2:30 pm. Refreshments will be served in the summer kitchen, and the Museum Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Regular admission charged. Site open 10 am-4 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Dec. 1-2: Country Christmas Village—this year's event has a new twist, exploring Christmas as seen in books and stories by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Louisa May Alcott, O.Henry, and others (more info on the website). What influence did Pennsylvania German traditions have on these classics? Children can learn about the history of Santa Claus and (with parental permission) post a letter to Santa at the Landis Valley Post Office ($1 postage) and receive a reply from the North Pole. Musical entertainment will be provided in the Yellow Barn (different performers each day). The Museum Store will be hosting their annual Artisan Showcase with loads of handcrafted goodies. There is no charge to visit the Museum Store. For everything else, admission is: Age 12-64, $12; age 65+, $10; age 3-11, $8; LVA members and age 2 and under, free. Online ticket purchase available via Brown Paper Tickets. Saturday, 10 am-4 pm; Sunday, noon-4 pm.
Dec. 4 and 8: Days of the Belsnickel—enjoy dinner (12/4) or lunch (12/8) along with holiday shopping, storytellers, dancing, and a visit with the Belsnickel (a PA German tradition). Reservations are required and can be made online, via email, or by phone (lunch details, dinner details).

Old Economy Village
Dec. 1-2: Christmas at the Village—enjoy entertainment by local musicians and shop for a wide array of gifts and food items. Children will find activities just for them and can even visit with mean old Belsnickel (details). Admission charged; please purchase tickets at the Visitor Center, as no tickets will be sold at the Village gate. Saturday, 2-9 pm; Sunday, 2-7 pm. (Note: Ambridge's Christmas in the Historic District will also take place Dec. 1-2 from 10 am to 7 pm, so you may want to do both.)
Dec. 6: Christmas Homeschool Tour—this Christmas-themed program is geared for students in preschool through third grade. Activities (details on the website) include crafts, decorations, and a visit with Belsnickel. Cost is $5 per person. Space is limited, and reservations are required by Dec. 4. Please email David Miller to make reservations. 1-2:30 pm.
Dec. 8: Meet Belsnickel—he's grumpy but you know you want to meet him. Belsnickel (a PA German tradition) will be on hand and receiving visitors. You'll also be able to decorate cookies and enjoy some cold mulled cider. Cost is $5 per person. Reserve your spot by calling 724/266-4500 x113. 11 am-2 pm.
Dec. 8: Deadline to register—two of OEV's regular blacksmithing demonstrators will teach an intermediate blacksmithing class on Dec. 15. Class is free but space is limited and you must register by Dec. 8. Contact David Miller at davmiller@pa.gov. 10 am-1 pm.
Dec. 13: Christmas Dinner—join with other supporters of Old Economy for a festive evening of dining and music in the Feast Hall (details). Reservations are required. Doors open at 6 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Dec. 6-7: Holly Nights—a special opportunity to see Pennsbury illuminated by candlelight, bonfires, and hearth fires. Enjoy caroling, hot cider, and throwing a green sprig on the Yule log for luck (details on the website). Admission charged (purchase tickets online thru Ticketleap). 6-9 pm both nights.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Dec. 8: Santa in the Shay—St. Nick will forgo his sleigh in favor of a geared locomotive as he listens to children's requests. Take an instant photo and turn it into an ornament, browse unique gifts from local artisans and the museum store, and enjoy hot cocoa (Facebook event page has details). Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids. Noon-4pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Throughout the month of December—a Selective Service Registration Card for Mr. S. Claus will be on temporary exhibit during regular operating hours. Wed.-Sat., 10 am-4 pm; Sun., noon-4 pm.
Dec. 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tribute—77 years ago on December 7th, the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Hawaii was attacked by aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Navy. America was at war. The tribute is held beneath the guns of the battleship USS Pennsylvania, which was a witness to that attack. Light refreshments will be served in the museum auditorium following the tribute ceremony. 12:45 p.m.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Dec. 1 and 8: Home for the Holidays—costumed engineers, conductors, ticket agents, and passengers representing the past century bring historic rail travel to life. Kids can visit with Santa or work with a telegrapher to send a Christmas telegram to the North Pole. Holiday music, refreshments (while supplies last), and shopping are part of the day too (lots more details). Included in regular admission (extra charge for Christmas with the Conductor parties, call the museum at 717/687-8628 to check availability). 9 am-5 pm.

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the planetarium webpage for info on shows and schedules.
Dec. 7: StoryTime—visit the museum's Transportation Gallery and read Little Plane Learns to Write by author/illustrator Stephen Savage. You'll also make a small plane of your own to take home. Included in general admission and intended for children age 3-5 with an adult. 10-11 am.
Dec. 13: Nature Lab—in today's program, "Pre-Historic Deer (Cervids)," learn about the ancestors of today's white-tail deer and Santa's reindeer with curator of paleontology, Dr. Steven Janiski. Included in general admission. 11:30 am-12:30 pm.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the WCHP events page for details on the annual crossing reenactments and other events.

Thoughts on Giving Thanks

All PA Trails of History sites are closed tomorrow (11/22) for Thanksgiving). For information on site schedules for Friday (11/23) and events going on this weekend through Nov. 29, please check out last week's post.

Through December 31, the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation (PHF) and The State Museum of Pennsylvania are excited to offer a "Buy One Get One Free" membership offer. Renew, rejoin, or join, and you can gift a free membership of equal or lesser value to a friend, family member, or co-worker. Memberships included in this offer are Heritage, Individual, and Family (visit PHF website for details or to purchase online). All categories of membership include free regular admission to sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History. (Please note, the gift membership must be for individuals or families who have never held a membership with PHF or The State Museum previously.)

This table setting from Conrad Weiser Homestead's Candlelight Tours last weekend makes me think of Thanksgiving (photo via Facebook)

Coming to you a little early this week to get ahead of the holiday. On behalf of all of us here at Trailheads HQ, I'd like to wish all of you the Thanksgiving that makes you most happy. The traditions you love, the people who make you feel special, a victory for your football team (if you celebrate that way), a winning hand at gin rummy (ditto), a nice glass of Beaujolais Nouveau (ditto ditto). Those of us lucky to have enough (or more than enough) have much to be thankful for, but we should also remember not to take it for granted. If you have the chance to help others this holiday, please take it.

Hope Lodge's Whitemarsh Encampment event earlier this month brought American Revolution reenactors to the site (via Facebook)

Following up on our Veterans Day post, I had a little time to think about some other military-related Trails of History info recently and thought I'd share some of it this week. These items illustrate the span of military history that gets covered on the Trails and the relevance of our sites to the present.

Reaching back to the 18th century, Hope Lodge's annual Whitemarsh Encampment presents the stories of Revolutionary War soldiers and civilians, especially related to the Continental Army's stay in the area during November and early December of 1777. I've shared a photo above, and you can find more on the Hope Lodge Facebook page.

As part of the centennial celebration of the end of World War I, Conrad Weiser Homestead held an Armistice Day event on Sunday, November 11. Speakers included Doug Miller, site administrator at Pennsbury Manor, and state Sen. David Argall (R - Schuylkill and Berks). Military reenactors were on hand as well. (In May of 2017, we showed you some before and after photos of a project to clean a World War I doughboy statue on the grounds at Conrad Weiser Homestead, dating from the 1920s.) The event also honored all local veterans (read more in this Reading Eagle article); keep an eye out for Weiser's annual concert honoring veterans, generally held around July 4.

We've shared info before about military reenlistment and promotion ceremonies at Trails of History sites. Back in October, the Erie Maritime Museum and U.S. Brig Niagara hosted members of the United States Marine Corps. Gunnery Sgt. Charles Bays reenlisted in USMC and then he and his wife, Kate, left for his new assignment in South Carolina; Bays was promoted to Gunnery Sgt. onboard Niagara in October 2017. Bryan Johnson and Devin Dominech were promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. (My thanks to Linda Bolla of the museum for the info and photo below.) In other Erie news, the Flagship Niagara League recently announced the promotion of Christopher Cusson to Captain of the U.S. Brig Niagara. Cusson is, among other things, a United States Coast Guard veteran (read more info here).

SSgt. Bryan Johnson (left) receives his new collar insignia from his grandfathers. (I'm not crying, you're crying.) (photo L. Bolla)

Prospective applicants for the U.S. military service academies are interviewed by a congressional panel to determine if they will receive a letter of referral from their U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative, a requirement for admission. Last weekend, the Pennsylvania Military Museum hosted 16 candidates and their families. Yesterday, the museum received a lovely note from a woman who was there with her son, who hopes to attend the United States Naval Academy. She complimented the museum on its well-kept and well-organized facilities and was impressed with the exhibits and displays, comparing them favorably to those at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia. "It is obvious a lot of time and effort has been spent to make this small museum a true gem!" Kudos to the staff and volunteers at the museum for their work and thanks to Tyler Gum, site administrator, for sharing the info.

On a related but somewhat more somber note, the PA Military Museum has been working with the Jana Marie Foundation, which is devoted to bringing attention to and addressing mental health issues in the Centre County region where the museum is located. The Foundation's STOMPERS Project was developed to embody their goal of stomping out the stigma that often surrounds talking about mental health. STOMPERS are made from shoes and boots on a life-size frame and have different themes depending on their host organization. As a participant in the initiative, the museum is now home to a STOMPER titled "SERVE," which is focused on issues of depression, suicide, and well-being among military veterans and their families. The goal is to help foster conversations between civilian and military communities, between veterans, and among families. This is another way the museum is honoring the military service of Pennsylvanians and recognizing the sacrifices of military families.

"SERVE," part of STOMPER Project, at PA Military Museum (photo AKF)

On the PA Trails of History, Nov. 16-29

All Trails of History sites will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22; sites open on the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 23) are noted below. The info is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You may want to check with the site you plan to visit to be sure of their schedule (seasonal schedule changes may be in effect as well).

Please remember the museum stores at historic sites and museums on Small Business Saturday (11/24) and Museum Store Sunday (11/25). Heck, some of them sell online, so you can visit them on Cyber Monday (11/26), too. And don't even get me started on Giving Tuesday (11/27)!

If you're interested in submitting a nomination for a state historical marker, December 1 is the next deadline. Find details here.

Through December 31, the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation (PHF) and The State Museum of Pennsylvania are excited to offer a "Buy One Get One Free" membership offer. Renew, rejoin, or join, and you can gift a free membership of equal or lesser value to a friend, family member, or co-worker. Memberships included in this offer are Heritage, Individual, and Family (visit PHF website for details or to purchase online). All categories of membership include free regular admission to sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History. (Please note, the gift membership must be for individuals or families who have never held a membership with PHF or The State Museum previously.)

See Ephrata Cloister by candlelight on Nov. 24, details below (photo from 2017 via Facebook)

Brandywine Battlefield Park
Nov. 24: Patriot’s Day—living history demonstrations, musket drills, blacksmith, house tours, and 18th-century medical "experts"--lots of activities for all ages. 10 am-4 pm.

Bushy Run Battlefield
Nov. 17: Harvest Ball—kids ages 4 to 12 are invited to dance the minuet (we'll teach you), decorate masks and hats to wear, play colonial games, and join in a storytelling session. A light snack will be served. Come in costume if you like, but you don't have to. Cost is $5 per child. Space is limited, and reservations are a must: contact Marlene Sawayda at secretary@bushyrunbattlefield.com to register. 2-4 pm.

Conrad Weiser Homestead
Nov. 17: Candlelight Tours—this annual program features living history, 18th-century music, and a chance to see the site by night. 5:30-8 pm.

Daniel Boone Homestead
Nov. 18: Lecture—Les Stark will present "Hemp in the 18th Century." Suggested donation of $2 per person for talk. 2 pm.
Nov. 23: Day After Thanksgiving—site open 10 am-4 pm.

Drake Well Museum and Park
Nov. 24: Something More Saturday—members of the Venango County ARES/RACES ham radio club will be on hand to help visitors speak with Santa at the North Pole. There will also be holiday craft projects and other family-friendly activities (details on Facebook). Included in regular admission (special group admission: buy 2 full-price adult tickets and get 3 youth tickets free). Site open 9 am-5 pm; special programming, 10 am-3 pm.

Ephrata Cloister
Nov. 16: Extraordinary Give—Ephrata Cloister will once again participate in the Lancaster County Community Foundation's one-day, online giving campaign. Visit their page anytime between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm to donate.
Nov. 24: Candlelight Open House—spend a lovely evening exploring the Ephrata Cloister, with music, craftspeople, and more (info on website). Cost is $6 per person. 5-8:30 pm.

Fort Pitt Museum
Please visit the Fort Pitt Museum website for information on schedules and programs.

Graeme Park
Nov. 18: Colonial Beer Brewing—visit the summer kitchen, where the brewer will be making a batch of house beer and talking about 18th-century beers and brewing (more info). Beer demo is free; admission charged for tours of the Keith House. 11 am-2 pm.
Nov. 24: Christmas in the Colonies—candlelight tours of the Keith House, where the Tapestry Dancers and costumed interpreters will illustrate Christmas and other winter holidays as the Graemes might have known them. Refreshments will be served. Tours will start approximately every 20 minutes from 4 to 6:40 pm (details on the website). Cost is $5 per person, free for members. 4-7 pm.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Nov. 16: Extraordinary Give—Landis Valley will once again participate in the Lancaster County Community Foundation's one-day, online giving campaign. Visit their page anytime between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm to donate.
Nov. 17, 24: Fall Workshops Continue—check the website for course descriptions and registration info.
Nov. 24-25: Museum Store Shop Local Open House and Museum Store Sunday—shop for locally handmade art, crafts and heirloom-quality gifts and enjoy holiday decorations in the museum store. Museum Store events are free; regular rates apply for museum admission. Sat., 9 am-5 pm; Sun., noon-5 pm.

Old Economy Village
Nov. 17: Honey Bees with BABA—watch the website for updates on this program. 10 am-1 pm.

Pennsbury Manor
Nov. 18: Cooking Demonstration—join the cooks as they revel in the extravagant use of sugar and spices, using 17th-century confectionary recipes. Included in regular admission. 1-4 pm.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Nov. 17: Holiday Craft Faire and Cooking Demo—locally made, hand-crafted, and/or holiday-themed items will be featured by a variety of vendors in the museum program room. Out in the Lumber Camp, they'll be firing up the cook stove around 1 pm for a demonstration of how logging camp cooks met the prodigious caloric needs of woodhicks and barkpeelers. You can visit the craft fair for free; museum admission applies to view the indoor and outdoor exhibits and the cooking demo. Museum open 9 am-5 pm.

Pennsylvania Military Museum
Nov. 17: Kids Day - Dress Up and Discover!!—Kids of all ages get to try on military gear from the museum education collection. Visit the education stations in the galleries for more discoveries throughout the day. Parents must remain on-site while their kids participate in the activities. Included in regular admission. 10:00 am-3:00 pm.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Nov. 16: Extraordinary Give—the Railroad Museum is participating in the Lancaster County Community Foundation's one-day, online giving campaign. Visit their page (listed as "Friends of the Railroad Museum") anytime between 12:00 am and 11:59 pm to donate.
Nov. 23: Day After Thanksgiving—site open 9 am-5 pm.
Nov. 23: Last Day for Reservations—advance registration is required for the museum's Christmas with the Conductor parties, scheduled for Dec. 1 and 8 (see flyer for details).

State Museum of Pennsylvania
Please visit the Planetarium page for a full schedule of shows.
Nov. 16: Holiday Marketplace, Day 2—shop the Trails of History with representatives from The State Museum of PA, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Ephrata Cloister, Somerset Historical Center, and Daniel Boone Homestead (details). Museum admission will be free for shoppers. Hours on Thursday are 10 am-3 pm. Friday opens at 10 am and runs until 7:30 pm for 3rd in the Burg.

Washington Crossing Historic Park
Please visit the Washington Crossing website for details on this month's schedule and programs.