Pennsylvania Heritage Society Newsletter

Topics in the Summer 2008 Newsletter: Signature Series Tour: New Deal Post Office Murals New PHS Website New PHS Board of Directors Members Calendar for July – September 2008 2008 Penn Ambassadors Support in the Field Welcome New PHS Members   pennsylvania-heritage-society-newsletter-summer-2008...
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Rediscovering the People’s Art: New Deal Murals in Pennsylvania’s Post Offices

On a February morning in 1937, artist George Warren Rickey (1907-2002) and a group of four men met at the post office in Selinsgrove, Snyder County. Armed with cloth-covered rolling pins, the men attached Rickey’s mural entitled Susquehanna Trail to one of the lobby’s end walls. After six hours, they transformed the entire blank white wall, from marble wainscoting to ceiling, into a...
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Black Settlement on Yellow Hill

Anyone who has ever read about the Battle of Gettysburg or visited the historic American Civil War battlefield undoubtedly learned about the generals, the courageous soldiers who fought in the grisly three-day encounter, and the thousands that lost their lives on that hallowed ground in Adams County. The stories of the famous engagements that took place at Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and the...
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News

Rare Discovery After their September 11, 1777, victory in the Battle of Brandywine, British General Sir William Howe and his troops captured and occupied Philadelphia. It was not long, however, before General Howe realized he faced a challenging supply problem. He was surrounded by General George Washington’s Continental Army and, more importantly, the Royal British Navy could not bring...
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Celebrating Volunteers on the Pennsylvania Trails of History

Every spring we honor those who contribute their experience and expertise to support the mission and work of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). In 2011–2012 volunteers donated approximately 117,000 hours at historic sites and museums along the Pennsylvania Trails of History®. This impressive collective donation is valued at nearly $2.5 million, based on data provided by...
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A Backward Glance at Thirty-Five Years Young

Over the past thirty-five years, Pennsylvania Heritage has brought to readers hundreds of stories about the famous and the not-so-famous, of historic preservation struggles won and lost, and interviews with individuals who either shaped history or interpret it. Our thirty-fifth anniversary, which we’re observing with this edition, gives us a moment to pause and reflect on where we’ve been, where...
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Pennsylvania History Goes Green

Sustainable, or “green” design is beginning to make its way into daily lives in ways that are both obvious and subtle. For the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), “going green” has become part of the philosophy of preserving and protecting treasured historic sites and museums, as well as conserving resources and improving sustainability. On December 15,...
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Exploring the Pennsylvania Energy Trail of History

Pennsylvania’s vast natural resources helped fuel the growth and development of both state and nation, spawning innumerable advances in transportation, industry, technology, and science. These resources propelled an economy that supported generations of men and women. The Pennsylvania Trails of History, a network of historic sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and...
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Discovering Religious Diversity Along the Pennsylvania Trails of History

William Penn (1644-1718) knew well the sting of discrimination and the misery of persecution for his religious beliefs. He suffered the consequences of breaking with the Church of England, leading to estrangement from his father, Admiral Sir William Penn (1621-1670). When imprisoned for attending meetings of the Society of Friends – commonly called Quakers and Friends – the younger...
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Spring Mix

In the last installment of Trailheads, we took a look at how Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum in Lancaster prepares for winter. As a rule, historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trails of History – especially those with outdoor exhibits – are quieter during the winter. Some sites close for a month or two, others are open fewer days during the week. It’s a time to plan...
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