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.
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
Pennsylvania in the 1918 Influenza Epidemic Registration
Wednesday, September 29, 2020
7 pm
Though the 1918 Influenza Pandemic was global in scale, it has a unique history in Pennsylvania. Influenza traveled to every Pennsylvania county and was particularly widespread in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In just a few short months, over 60,000 Pennsylvanians died and the illness disrupted the lives of countless more. This presentation will share experiences of Pennsylvanians who lived through and fought influenza, and highlight records about the pandemic from the collections of the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Join archivist Tyler Stump of the Pennsylvania State Archives for a presentation on the experiences of Pennsylvanians who lived through the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Discover how influenza affected the Commonwealth and how the Pennsylvania Department of Health and other public health officials responded to the crisis. The presentation will be streamed through zoom. Questions will follow the free presentation.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Power Of Steam Virtual Tour
Tuesday, September 29
7 pm to 8 pm
Join staff for a special, behind the scenes virtual tour of the Museum’s restored, historic Pennsylvania Railroad E6s locomotive No. 460, the “Lindbergh Engine,” and Bethlehem Steel fireless locomotive No. 111.
Also included is a live steam demonstration, using a model steam locomotive, on how steam locomotives work. There will be time for Q&A at the end of the program.
Tickets are by donation. Offered via Zoom.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../behind-the-scenes-prr-460...
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.
