Stop #7 – Immerse Yourself in the History of Penn’s Woods at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum

Guided Tours: Dive into Forest History

Enhance your educational experience with immersive, guided tours at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum. Our expert staff will take your group through interactive exhibits and outdoor displays, showcasing the rich history of Pennsylvania’s forests and the lumber industry.

What’s Included in the Tour?

1. Challenges and Choices Exhibit:
   • Explore interactive elements, historic tools, and life-size photographs that narrate the transformation of Pennsylvania’s forests over time.
2. Outdoor Exhibits:
   • Visit a recreated 20th-century logging camp, a Shay locomotive, and a fully operational circular sawmill.

Additional Activities (Optional):

• Live Demonstrations: See the Shingle Mill, Blacksmith, and Mess Hall kitchen in action.
• Hands-On Experiences: Participate in the “Wood You Believe” game, crafts, and other interactive activities.
• Guided Sustainable Forestry Trail Hike: Led by an educational forester from PA DCNR Susquehannock State Forest.

Admission Rates:

• K-12 Students: $3 per student (Teachers, chaperones, and bus drivers attend for free when they don’t outnumber students).
• College/Graduate Students: $5 per student (Professors and chaperones attend free).
• Youth Groups (e.g., Scouts): $5 per scout (Leaders and chaperones attend free).

Outreach Programs: Bringing the Museum to You

Can’t visit in person? Our hands-on Outreach Programs bring the museum’s history to schools, libraries, and community groups.

Program Options:

1. What Trees Do for Me (Pre-K to 4th Grade):
   • Learn the benefits of trees with the book Why Would Anyone Cut a Tree Down and play the “Wood You Believe” game.
2. So You Want to Be a Woodhick? (4th-12th Grade):
   • Discover the tools and lifestyle of Pennsylvania lumbermen, including a cross-cut saw demonstration.
3. Raftsmen & Log Drivers (2nd-8th Grade):
   • Understand water transportation in the logging industry and construct a model raft.

Woodhick Day School Program

Celebrate the adventurous spirit of Pennsylvania’s lumber history with our Woodhick Day Education Program. Students can:

• Watch Blacksmithing Demonstrations
• Use authentic tools like a cross-cut saw and auger
• Observe the Shingle Mill in operation
• Chat with the Camp Cook

Hiking to History: Explore Lumbering Landmarks

Experience Pennsylvania’s lumbering past with self-guided hiking tours through historic locations. Pick up a brochure and visit these must-see spots:

Susquehannock State Forest:

• Dyer Camping Area
• Cross Fork History Tour Trail
• Cherry Springs Fire Tower
• Austin Dam Ruins

Tioga & Tiadaghton State Forests:

• Darling Run CCC Camp
• Leonard Harrison Overlook
• Colton Point State Park Rim Trail
• Leetonia Ghost Town

Pro Tip: Wear appropriate clothing, bring water and snacks, and always hike with a friend for safety.

Plan Your Visit or Contact Us

For more information about guided tours, educational programs, and hiking brochures:

• Visit: Pennsylvania Lumber Museum Website
• Contact: Museum Educator Jennifer Haines
  • Phone: (814) 435-2652
  • Email: jenhaines@pa.gov

Step into Pennsylvania’s rich forestry history and create unforgettable learning experiences at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum!