Virtual Events on the PA Trails of History and Beyond!
Welcome to our Virtual Events page! Don't miss out on the amazing adventures you can experience throughout the Pennsylvania's historic sites and museums.
Zoom connection:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81950813485?pwd=NVFaWE9MMHJHM3h1bCtTSDY5d0VhUT09
Lecture – Roads, Canals, and Trains
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
7:00 PM
Craig A. Benner will present, “Roads, Canals and Trains”, a presentation with a brief overview of getting around in early America with an emphasis on trains. We will be looking at roads and canals and steam power centered mostly in the Pennsylvania area.
Craig is a native Pennsylvanian who grew up in Lancaster County and has had a varied career to included working 18 years in specialty photographic retail and as a German teacher. Craig’s love of history began as a teen at the Ephrata Cloister where he has volunteered since 1972 and also served as a PHMC summer seasonal there for three summers. During these summers he served as a team member on the archaeological field team and also photographed all of the artifacts in the collection. Craig has been at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg, PA since 2009 after spending 5 years at Landis Valley Museum and as a seasonal employee at Cornwall Iron Furnace.
Mike Emery, Cornwall Iron Furnace Administrator will moderate a brief discussion at the end of the presentation.
This online lecture will utilize the Zoom platform. Click Here To register.
Limited space available, registration required.
“Room Enough For Them All”: The People of Lancaster County in the 18th Century
October 8, 2020
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Presented by Michael Showalter
By the middle of the 1750s, Lancaster County had become one of the most diverse places in all of the American Colonies. This mix of cultures and customs was created by Penn’s policies of religious toleration, vast natural resources, and a spirit of cooperation. Who were these people and what was their life like? Looking at tax records, church histories, travel accounts, local histories, and family traditions, this presentation will examine some information about the early residents of the county.
This is a FREE program, but you must register using this link. You will receive an email with a link to use to join the Zoom call. This program will be recorded and put on our YouTube page to view at your leisure along with past Ephrata Academy presentations.
Virtual Timbersports Demonstration and Discussion with Tom Oliver
Saturday, October 10, 2020
1 pm – 2 pm
Virtual Timbersports Demonstration and Discussion with Tom Oliver
Labor practices in the lumber industry changed during the second half of the 20th century. Axes, saws, and other hand tools gave way to chainsaws, grapple skidders, feller bunchers, and other mechanized equipment. The desire to showcase and preserve traditional “woodhick” skills resulted in the creation of competitive timbersports; an international athletic discipline open to both men and women, often sponsored by major logging equipment manufacturers.
Tom Oliver, a Recreation Forester with PA DCNR Tioga State Forest, has conducted woodhick skills demonstrations at the museum’s Bark Peelers’ Festival since 2013. He began competing in timbersports at Penn State Mont Alto in 2005 while studying forestry. In 2011 he was one of 50 Americans selected to compete in the Stihl® Timbersports Championship Series.
On Saturday October 10th, starting at 1 Pm, Tom will present a virtual live skills demonstration using the ZOOM video conferencing platform. He will explain how to train for and compete in timbersports events such as hotsaw, singlebuck, standing block, underhand chop, and axe throw. Tom will also provide advice and answer questions from ZOOM participants who are interested in getting started in timbersports themselves.
To register for this event, please email the museum at palumbermuseum@gmail.com.
There is no cost to register, but if you are able please consider making a donation to the museum using the “donate” button on our web site: http://lumbermuseum.org/make-a-contribution/.
Virtual Nightscape Photography Workshop and Discussion with Curt Weinhold
Saturday, November 7, 2020
6 pm – 7 pm
One of the more beautiful consequences of the historic boom and bust cycle of the lumber industry in northcentral Pennsylvania is the region’s abundance of dark skies; places where light pollution from population centers does not interfere with viewing the stars.
On Saturday November 7th, beginning at 6 pm, museum board member and PA Wilds Juried Artisan photographer, Curt Weinhold, will lead a virtual program on night sky photography using the ZOOM video conferencing platform. Curt’s workshop will provide details on how to photograph stars, the milky way, & even fireworks and nighttime town or cityscapes. Proper photo gear, exposure settings, and image editing will be reviewed. Photography technique will focus on creating good exposures, and then move on to including foregrounds such as trees, buildings, etc.; hence the term “nightscape”. This program will NOT address imaging through telescopes. There will be time for questions and discussion at the end of the program.
To register for this event, please email the museum at palumbermuseum@gmail.com. There is no cost to register, but if you are able please consider making a donation to the museum using the “donate” button on our web site: http://lumbermuseum.org/make-a-contribution/.
Online Lecture - Sail to Steam Lecture Series: Submarines and Naval Warfare
Saturday, October 17, 2020
2 pm – 3 pm
We invite you to join Erie Maritime Museum Educator Charles Johnson as we explore the history of submarines and its impact on naval warfare and tactics.
We will highlight humanities desire to sail beneath the waves, the quality of life onboard submersibles, and the methodology of tactics and weaponry aboard subs from the dawn of the 20th century through to the beginning of the nuclear era.
This lecture will be moderated by Tyler Gum, Director of the Pennsylvania Military Museum. After the presentation, a brief Q&A will take place. Online lecture will utilize the Zoom platform.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-X3zmuKeTvm7_jifFCwKzQ
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
STEAM on the Rails Virtual Program
Tuesday, October 13 at 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 2:30 PM
Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 2:30 PM
Tuesday, October 27 at 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 2:00 PM, and 2:30 PM
Looking for an educational experience for your students? Register for the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania's STEAM on the Rails virtual program. Designed for students, grades K through 6, this program investigates the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) in our daily lives. Presenters and demonstrators from around Pennsylvania will provide a virtual experience like no other. See where oil was struck, how mining was done, how a steam locomotive works, and many other topics.
The program will be held over 3 days with 4 - 30 minute presentations each day!
Attendees must have internet access and Zoom in order to attend. Links will be sent each week via e-mail to join. Your registration gives you access to all of our presentations.
Please click here to register!
Partners:
Anthracite Heritage Museum/Eckley Miner's Village
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Drake Well Museum
Frank Gillespie, Blacksmith
Operation Lifesaver
Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
It's Electric: Electric Locomotives at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
October 21, 2020
7:00:-8:00 PM
Join the staff of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania for a special virtual tour of four of our electric locomotives. Featured on the tour is our Reading Company multiple-unit #800, Pennsylvania Railroad B1 #5690, Pennsylvania Railroad E44 #4465, and Pennsylvania Railroad GG1 #4935, all of which are not open to the public on a regular basis. This behind-the-scenes look will encourage engagement and questions, with a live Q&A at the end of the program.
Access is limited to one screen per ticket. Join us for this fun and interactive experience!
Register Here and look for your Eventbrite confirmation email for the zoom meeting link.
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Art of the State 2020
Art of the State is an annual juried exhibition that has been showcasing the work of Pennsylvania’s artists at The State Museum of Pennsylvania since 1968. The body of art that has been exhibited reflects over a half-century of creative endeavor in the Keystone State. Through the years, exhibitors have shared their ideas and engaged viewers in the categories of painting, photography, craft, sculpture, and work on paper.
This year’s exhibit includes 108 works of art from 109 artists from 29 counties. Finalists were selected from 1901 entries from 680 artists.
You can access the 360 Virtual Tour, Award Ceremony, and more at http://statemuseumpa.org/aos2020/
The State Museum of Pennsylvania
Welcome to The State Museum’s virtual learning landing page! We have resources for all ages and audiences. Take a look, click on through to videos, blogs, resources and more!
Curiosity Kids ages 1-5
Curiosity Kids is a program that bridges the fun of Curiosity Connection with the wonders of The State Museum of Pennsylvania. While we are all staying safe at home we want to make sure you and your curious kids have access to some fun activities. Take a look and be curious! We can’t wait to see you back in the Museum!
Explore! Wednesdays ages 7-10
Each Wednesday this summer we will feature a different Pennsylvania State symbol. Find out about its selection and connection to Pennsylvania. Watch, be curious and send us your questions. We want to hear from you!
Meet staff curators, educators, designers, and community partners in these video chats with Director Beth Hager about exhibits, collections, behind-the-scenes, and their favorite things at The State Museum of Pennsylvania.
Explore The State Museum’s online collection of historical objects, archaeological artifacts and natural history specimens.
This Week is Pennsylvania Archaeology Blog
Learn more about Pennsylvania Archaeology, written by the Section of Archaeology at The State Museum.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
FERRIES AND TAVERNS DURING THE REVOLUTION
Sunday, October 18
1:30 to 3:00 pm
Registration begins Sept. 1
Washington Crossing Historic Park curator Kimberly McCarty will discuss the role of 18th century ferries and taverns on colonial life and the war. She’ll highlight McConkey’s Ferry Inn, the building in which Washington wrote of his plan to cross the Delaware River on December 25, 1776.
Washington Crossing Historic Park
WHO WAS HERE IN DECEMBER 1776?
Sunday, December 6
7:00 to 8:30 pm
Registration begins October 25
Park curator Kimberly McCarty will discuss the soldiers and civilians who participated in the days surrounding the crossing that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War.
“My intent is to explore the lives, before and after the crossing, of some of the notable figures who participated, as well as others who don’t factor into most narratives of that night,” she says.
