Shorts

An exhibition honoring John Amos Comenius on the four hundredth anniversary of his birth, “Father of Modern Education,” will remain on view at the Moravian Histori­cal Society through October 11 [1992]. Through photographs of actual schools, the exhibition illustrates that his ideas are still used in teaching to this day. Additional information is available by writing: Moravian Historical Society, 214 East Center St., Nazareth, PA 18064; or by telephoning (215) 759-5070. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Currently on view at the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies is an exhibit exploring the celebrations and commem­orations of important mile­stones within various ethnic groups of Asia, Africa, Eu­rope, and Latin America. Enti­tled “Celebrating the Life Cycle: Rites of Passage in America,” the exhibition con­tinues through December 2 [1992]. For additional information write: Balch Institute for Eth­nic Studies, 18 South Seventh St., Philadelphia, PA 19106; or telephone (215) 925-8090. Ad­mission is free.

“American Masterworks: 1750-1950” is on view through April 11, 1993, at the Pennsyl­vania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. The exhibition showcases the most popular and highly prized pieces in the Pennsylvania Academy’s permanent collec­tion, including works by Gil­bert Stuart, Benjamin West, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Winslow Homer, Cecilia Beaux, Thomas Eakins, Alex­ander Stirling Calder, Walter Hancock, Robert Henri, John Sloan, George Luks, and Wil­liam Glackens, among others. For more details, write: Penn­sylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118 Broad St., Philadel­phia, PA 19102; or telephone (215) 972-7642. Admission is charged.

To celebrate the two hun­dred and fiftieth anniversary of the chartering of Lancaster as a borough, the Heritage Center of Lancaster County has mounted a special decora­tive arts exhibition focusing on English goods and tastes in the county during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. “From London to Lancaster” will remain on view through November 28 [1992]. For more details, write: Heritage Center of Lancaster County, Box 997, Lancaster, PA 17603; or tele­phone (717) 299-6440.

The sixteenth annual juried exhibition of the Berks Art Alliance will be on view at the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery from Saturday, October 31 [1992], through Sunday, November 29 [1992]. The exhibition will feature works of art by regional artists. For additional information, write: Reading Public Museum and Art Gal­lery, 500 Museum Rd., Read­ing, PA 19611-1425; or telephone (215) 371-5844. Ad­mission is charged.

A one day celebration of the role the apple has played in the history of Lancaster County will be held on Satur­day, October 3 [1992], at the 1719 Hans Herr House. In addition to samplings of historic apple varieties from the museum’s orchard, “Snitz Fest” will feature demonstrations of various nineteenth century tasks and crafts. For more details, write: 1719 Hans Herr House, 1849 Hans Herr Or., Willow Street, PA 17584; or telephone (717) 464-4438. There is a charge for admission.

On view through Sunday, October 18 [1992], at Easton’s Canal Museum is an exhibit of his­toric photographs of the Dela­ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad’s anthracite mining and transportation operations. Entitled “DL&W: Colossus of Coal and Rail,” the exhibition includes rare images of the company’s collieries, machine shops, and workers’ housing. To obtain additional information, write: Canal Museum, Hugh Moore Histor­ical Park and Museums, 200 South Delaware Dr., Easton, PA 18044; or telephone (215) 250-6700. Admission is charged.

Based on the 1949 novel by renowned writer John O’Hara an exhibition sharing the same title as the book, A Rage to Live, is on view at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park during weekends through Sunday, December 20 [1992]. O’Hara’s best seller exposed the drama and pathos of everyday life in Har­risburg at the turn of the cen­tury. The exhibition explores the life of the writer’s fictional heroine Grace Tate by using clothing worn by Helen Boas Reily, the last resident of Fort Hunter. The exhibition, which includes excerpts from A Rage to Live, has been installed in the historic site’s Centennial Barn. For additional informa­tion, write: Fort Hunter Man­sion and Park, 5300 North Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110; or telephone (717) 599-5751. Admission is free.

Conducted by the West­moreland Museum of Art, walking tours offering archi­tectural surveys of Greensburg are available throughout the year. To obtain additional de­tails, write: Westmoreland Museum of Art, 221 North Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601; or telephone (412) 837-1500.

Chadds Ford Days, an eighteenth century style coun­try fair, will be held during the weekend of September 12-13 [1992] at the circa 1725 John Chads House. Sponsored by the Chadds Ford Historical Soci­ety, the two day event features “hands on” demonstrations, period entertainment, and guided tours of the Delaware County landmark. The theme of this year’s event is “Out of the Woods.” For more informa­tion, write: Chadds Ford His­torical Society, Box 27, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; or telephone (215) 388-7376 or 399-1622. Admission is charged.

A military reenactment recalling a Revolutionary War encampment will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sep­tember 19-20 [1992], at the Oliver Miller Homestead, located in Allegheny County’s South Park, just outside Pittsburgh. The historic site depicts west­ern Pennsylvania’s eighteenth century pioneer life. For addi­tional information, telephone (412) 835-1554. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Demonstrations of nine­teenth century crafts, special tours, and living history pro­grams will be offered by Hope­well Furnace National Historic Site as part of its annual Apple Harvest Day on Saturday, September 26 [1992]. For more information, write: Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, 2 Mark Bird Ln., Elverson, PA 19520; or tele­phone (215) 582-8773. There is a charge for admission.

“Early Radio: The Begin­nings of Broadcasting in Pitts­burgh,” an exhibit chronicling the origins and development of radio broadcasting in Pitts­burgh, beginning with the inaugural broadcast from Wilkinsburg on November 2, 1920, will be on view at The Carnegie Museum of Natural History through Sunday, Oc­tober 4 [1992]. “Early Radio” includes a re-creation of the original radio shack and transmitter, in addition to showcasing memo­rabilia and equipment. For additional details, write: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213; or tele­phone (412) 622-3131. Admis­sion is charged.

On view at the Historical Society of Dauphin County through Tuesday, December 1 [1992], is an exhibit of courtroom sketches and artwork pertain­ing to the famous “Harrisburg 7” trial in 1972. Heard in Har­risburg, the federal trial cen­tered on the attempts by seven individuals to kidnap Secre­tary of State Henry Kissinger and blow up steam tunnels beneath federal buildings in Washington, D.C., as a protest against the Vietnam War. The sketches, posters, and related items included in “A Radical Exhibit: The Artwork of the Harrisburg Seven Trial” chron­icle not only the trial, but the many anti-war activities in Harrisburg during the period. For additional information, write: Historical Society of Dauphin County, 219 South Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17104; or telephone (717) 233-3462. There is a charge for admission.

Dankfest, featuring exhibits and demonstrations of pioneer crafts, as well as period enter­tainment and specially guided tours, will be hosted by His­toric Harmony on Saturday and Sunday, August 22-23 [1992]. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the village was founded in 1804 as the first home of the communal Harmony Society. For more details, write: Historic Har­mony, Harmony Museum, P.O. Box 524, Harmony, PA 16037; or telephone (412) 452- 7341.

The Brandywine River Museum will be the site of the Pennsylvania Crafts Guild’s annual crafts fair on Sunday, September 6 [1992]. Guild members will demonstrate traditional crafts throughout the day. For more information, Write: Bran­dywine River Museum, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; or telephone (215) 388-7601 or 459-1900. There is an admission fee.

The eighth annual “Gas Up” will be held at the Drake Well Museum on Saturday, September 19 [1992]. The event fea­tures vintage stationary en­gines used in northwestern Pennsylvania’s oil fields. For more information, write: Drake Well Museum, R.D. 3, Titusville, PA 16354; or tele­phone (412) 827-2797. Admis­sion is charged.

“Quaker Ladies and Their Babies” will remain on view at the Chadds Ford Historical Society through Sunday, Sep­tember 27 [1992]. Installed in the historical society’s new build­ing, “Quaker Ladies and Their Babies” features nineteenth century clothing donated by several Quaker families whose ancestors were early settlers of Chester County. One of the earliest pieces on view is the wedding dress worn by Sidney Ann Gilpin who married Evan Lewis in March 1815. For more information, write: Chadds Ford Historical Society, P. O. Box 27, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; or telephone (215) 388-7376. There is a charge for admission.

On Thursday, November 19 [1992], the National Park Service will commemorate the one hundred and twenty-ninth anniversary of Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address with a special program at Gettysburg National Historic Military Park. To obtain additional information, write: Gettysburg National Historic Military Park, P.O. Box 1080, Gettysburg, PA 17325-1080.

The Indian Steps Museum in Airville will remain open for the season through Sunday, October 11 [1992]. Administered by the Conservation Society of York County, the museum is dedicated to the study and exhibition of Native American history and culture. For addi­tional information pertaining to visiting hours, write: Con­servation Society of York County, R.D. 1, Airville, PA 17302; or telephone (717) 862-3948 or 993-3932. Admission is free.

On Saturday, October 3 [1992], costumed volunteers will reen­act the 1777 Battle of German­town on the grounds of Cliveden, the site of the origi­nal struggle during which Gen. George Washington’s army attacked the house where the British had taken refuge. The historic house museum was the summer home of Benjamin Chew, the crown-appointed Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. Other events will include tactical demon­strations, a military encamp­ment, and a parade of troops. For additional information, write: Cliveden, 6401 German­town Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19144; or telephone (215) 848-1777. Admission is free.

“Floods of Lycoming County,” an exhibit at the Lycoming County Historical Society and Museum, traces the county’s severe floods, beginning with the cata­strophic flood of 1865, and culminating with devastating Tropical Storm Agnes in June 1972, with many rare and unusual photographs. “Floods of Lycoming County” con­tinues through Sunday, Sep­tember 27 [1992]. To obtain more information, write: Lycoming County Historical Society and Museum, 858 West Fourth St., Williamsport, PA 17701; or telephone (717) 326-3326. There is a charge for admission.

Continuing through Thurs­day, October 8 [1992], at the Erie Art Museum is an exhibition aptly entitled “Uncle Sam.” The exhibit offers a survey of im­ages of “Uncle Sam,” from the nineteenth century through the present, and includes original paintings and drawings by Thomas Nast and James Montgomery Flagg. “Uncle Sam” also features images of Columbia and Miss Liberty, and their British pred­ecessors, John Bull and Britan­nia. To obtain further information, write: Erie Art Museum, 411 State St., Erie, PA 16501; or telephone (814) 459-5477.

A Charter Day dinner will be hosted by the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation on Satur­day, October 10 [1992]. Program and reservation information may be obtained by writing: Beaver Area Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 147, Beaver, PA 15009.

During the weekend of October 10-11 [1992], a harvest festival – featuring demonstra­tions of bee keeping, soap making, weaving, candle dip­ping, quilting, hearth cooking, wood working, and spinning­ – will be staged by Quiet Valley Historical Farm. The theme of this year’s festival is “Heart and Hearth: Working To­gether.” For more information, write: Quiet Valley Historical Farm, 1000 Turkey Hill Rd., Stroudsburg, PA 18360; or telephone (717) 992-6161. There is a fee for admission.

An exhibition surveying the art of Bucks County and neighboring New Jersey from 1820 to 1950, “A History of Art in Bucks County,” will remain on view through December [1992] at the James A. Michener Art Museum. Opening with works of art by primitive painter Edward Hicks, best known for his versions of the Peaceable Kingdom, the exhibit features paintings by Bucks County’s most famous artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including Daniel Garber, Edward Redfield, and John Fulton Folinsbee. For more information, write: James A. Michener Art Mu­seum, 138 South Pine St., Doylestown, PA 18901-4626; or telephone (215) 340-9800.

On Saturday, October 3 [1992], the Peter Wentz Farmstead will host its annual observance of Laerenswaert, or “Worth Learn­ing” Day. During the day-long event, visitors will learn se­lected arts and crafts of eight­eenth century Pennsylvania Germans through hands-on demonstrations. Additional information is available by writing: Peter Wentz Farm­stead, P.O. Box 240, Worcester, PA 19490; or by telephoning (215) 584-5104. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

During the weekend of August 29-30 [1992], a Civil War military encampment will be held at Eckley Miners’ Village to simulate the experiences of an occupation force in a civil­ian area. During the Civil War, the Union Army had to post an occupation in the anthracite region to keep the peace. Highlights of the encampment include a re-creation of a con­valescent ward, interpretations of civilian life in a mining town, and demonstrations of military camp life. For addi­tional information, write: Eckley Miners’ Village, R.R. 2, Box 236, Weatherly, PA 18255; or telephone (717) 636-2070. There is an admission fee.

“Revolutionary Times at Brandywine,” an annual reen­actment at Brandywine Battle­field Park, will take place on Sunday, September 20 [1992]. For more details, write: Brandy­wine Battlefield Park, Box 202, Chadds Ford, PA 19317; or telephone (215) 459-3342. Ad­mission is charged.

On Wednesday, September 30 [1992], Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation will conduct a specially guided walking tour of the Dormont area. Additional details are available by writing: Pitts­burgh History and Landmarks Foundation, 450 The Land­marks Building, One Station Square, Pittsburgh, PA 15219; or by telephoning (412) 471-5808.