Trailheads is on Hiatus for Now For the time being, we've hit "pause" on the weekly Trailheads blog. You can find information on upcoming programs by visiting the PHMC Online Events Calendar or by finding your favorite sites on social media. Please remember that some site schedules change seasonally and that the holidays and weather can affect site operations. Always check ahead to be sure the site you want to visit will be open when you plan to be there ..read more

And So It Goes My favorite Museum Selfie Day photo (me and my long lost twin, Hannah Penn) Ever since the first Trailheads post on August 1, 2009, it has been my good fortune to work on this blog, writing posts and editing guest posts that help shed light on the activities and people of the Pennsylvania Trails of History. Trailheads debuted just before we endured a period of severe budget and staffing cuts. Our remaining staff and volunteers persevered and continued to provide service to visitors, working to rebuild and reimagine programs, tours, and daily operations. In March 2020 ..read more

Seasonal Changes Fall has progessed in the northern tier to the point where the leaves are almost gone (photo via PA Lumber Museum Facebook page) Now that it's November, we will start to see some schedule changes at sites on the Trails of History, especially those with outdoor exhibits. Some sites will start scaling back their open days this month, with others paring back starting in December or January. As I always say, it's a good idea to check site schedules before heading over for a visit to make sure they plan to be open when you want to be there. It's also worth noting that wea ..read more

More Fall Beauty A beautiful autumn day at Conrad Weiser Homestead. Staff and volunteers at the site have been working to bring the park back into line with the original Olmsted Brothers plan (photo via Conrad Weiser Homestead Facebook page) Up Next Today, October 27 Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA Join us in the First Floor Activity Room to learn about portraits. What are portraits and what can they tell us? Create your own self-portrait. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids program info ..read more

It's Not All Halloween (But A Lot of It Is) Package freighter Dean Richmond sometime prior to sinking on Lake Erie in 1893 (photo via Alpena County Public Library - collection also includes some interior views) We are heading straight into the tell-tale heart of Halloween season on the Trails of History. But if Halloween (spooky and otherwise) isn't your thing, there are lots of other options. Don't forget to check out DCNR's foliage reports to see where the best fall color in the state can be found. Enjoy! Up Next Today, October 20 Story Time with the Educator (in-person); 10 ..read more

Harvest Time Pumpkins and gourds grown at Cornwall Iron Furnace (photo via Cornwall's Facebook page) Up Next Today, October 13 Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA Join us in Nature Lab to learn about the unique adaptations that make a dinosaur different from any other reptile and explore the different types of dinosaurs that existed. Create your own dinosaur sculpture to take home. For grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited (Curiosity Kids info). Cello Concert (in-person); 8-10 pm; Old Economy Village Grammy Award ..read more

The Company Store exhibit building at Eckley Miners' Village with signs of fall foliage (photo via Eckley's Facebook page) There's plenty to do this weekend and in the week ahead - apple dumpling sales, lectures, concerts, historical demonstrations. What's not to like? And if you want to match your travels to the progress of fall foliage across our beautiful state, don't forget to check the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources Fall Foliage Maps. Enjoy! Up Next Today, October 6 Apple Dumpling Days (in-person); Friday, 9 am-3 pm, and Saturday, 9 am-sold out; Ephrata Cloister ..read more

Weekend Plans Enjoy the fall garden beauty and lots of activities at Old Economy Village's Erntedankfest Harvest Festival this weekend (photo via Old Economy's Facebook page) Up Next Today, September 22 Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum of PA Explore the use of LINE in art: what it is, different types of line, and how artists use it in their artwork. Create your own piece of line artwork to take home. For kids in grades K to 2 and included in regular admission. Space is limited, so sign up at the front desk when you arrive (Curiosity Kids info). L ..read more

Still Feels Like Summer A calm view of the 1830s Farmstead at Somerset Historical Center before the excitement of this weekend's Mountain Craft Days event (photo via SHC Facebook page) Up Next Friday, September 8 Mountain Craft Days (in-person); Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am-5 pm; Somerset Historical Center Traditional crafts, country food, music, and children's activities in a beautiful woodland setting. Events run 10 am-5 pm each day. General admission, $9; children 6 to 17, $5 (Mountain Craft Days info). Curiosity Kids (in-person); 11:30 am-12:30 pm; The State Museum ..read more

Back to School! Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum posted this image to mark the beginning of the school year (photo via LVV&FM Facebook page) Even those of us who have not had a first day of school in a veeerrry long time (ahem!) get a certain nostalgia at the beginning of a new school year. Or is it just me? Recently, I was cleaning out a pantry cupboard and found some brand new colored pencils and crayons, and let me tell you, I got a little bit of a thrill. To everyone experiencing back-to-school first hand, whether as a student, teacher, or family member, I will echo L ..read more