Events at the State Library

​4 PM - 6​ PM

Libraries are more than reading: lifelong learning is also making and doing! Join fellow yarn enthusiasts once a month on the first Wednesday of the month from 4-6 pm at the State Library, located at the Forum Building, Main Reading Room, 607 South Drive, Harrisburg​​​ for a maker time of stitching, knitting, crocheting, felting, and camaraderie! Show off your new project and share inspiration with one another.

State Employee Fiber Arts Club Registration. Question​​s? Email ra-makerspace@pa.gov or call 717-783-5993.

​On Christmas Eve 1917, an overcrowded, out-of-control streetcar exited the Mount Washington tunnel, crashing into pedestrians. Twenty-three were killed and more than eighty injured in the worst transit incident in Pittsburgh history.  Author Mary Jane Kuffner Hirt explores the tragic history of the Mount Washington transit tunnel disaster."

The Mount Washington Transit Tunnel Disaster (YouTube)

​"Every Blot of Slavery's Shame - Stories from the Civil War Museum."  CEO Jeffrey Nichols will share some artifacts and stories of the African American experience in the Civil War era and discuss the central role of slavery as the cause of the war. 

Jeffrey L. Nichols is the Chief Executive Officer of The National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining The National Civil War Museum, he was the Executive Director of Georgetown Heritage, a philanthropic partner of the National Park Service in Washington, DC, and before that, he was the President & CEO of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's retreat house and plantation located near Lynchburg, Virginia. He also worked at The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut, in several roles, serving as Executive Director for the final four years of his tenure there. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of Science in Museum Education degree from the Bank Street College of Education, and an MBA from the University of New Haven. He serves as Treasurer for PA Museums and has served on the board of Greater Lynchburg (VA) Habitat for Humanity and was the Treasurer of the Virginia Association of Museums."

Every Blot of Slavery's Shame - Stories from the Civil War Museum. (YouTube)

The Underground Railroad was active in south-central Pennsylvania from the early 1800s through the middle of the Civil War. Several of the most significant routes ran through rural York County to the Susquehanna River crossings or north to Harrisburg. Scott Mingus, the author of two books on the Underground Railroad in York County, will discuss the origins of the secretive movement to assist freedom seekers in reaching and then crossing the broad Susquehanna. He will also introduce several of the more prominent conductors and their roles. 

About the speaker: Scott Mingus, a retired scientist and executive in the global pulp & paper industry, holds patents in self-adhesive postage stamps and bar code labels. He was part of the research team that developed the first commercially successful self-adhesive U.S. postage stamps. He has written 28 Civil War and Underground Railroad books. 

The Underground Railroad in York County (YouTube)

Holiday gatherings bring opportunities to connect with family members and share family history. Recorded December 2022,  librarians Amy Woytovich and Kathy Hale discuss tips on gathering and organizing information from other family members to create your unique family tree.

Decorate Your Family Tree: Tips for Gathering Family History During the Holidays (YouTube)

Recorded November 2022, learn about the growth and evolution of the magazine from the 18th through early 20th centuries including topics, formats, types of illustrations, and significance. See examples from the collections of the State Library of Pennsylvania.

The Magazine: Purveyor of Literature, Taste, and Current Events (YouTube)

This event was in conjunction with the One Book, One Community: Our Region Reads book, “The Life We Bury” by Allen Eskens. The book is the story of an English student who interviews a Vietnam Vet who committed a murder 30 years ago. This program also is in recognition of all those who have and are serving in the military just before Veteran’s Day. The book is available at many libraries in Pennsylvania. 

Tom Stone graduated from West Point in 1961 and served on Active Duty in the Field Artillery until retiring from the US Army in 1988 (27 years). During that time, he served with the Fourth Infantry Division in combat in South Vietnam from 1967-1968. While there, he spent most of his time as the S-3 (Operations Officer) of the 5th Battalion, 16th Field Artillery. Dr. Stone also attended and received his MA and PhD in History from Rice University. He also served as the Director (Department Chairman) of the Strategic Studies Institute at the Army War College where he retired from the Army. In his retirement he spent nine years as Founding President and CEO of Harrisburg’s Whittaker Center.

Veterans Day Program featuring Tom Stone, retired U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran  (YouTube)

Recorded October 2022, Dave Tamanini discusses his book "Tituba: The Intentional Witch of Salem" - a unique Salem 1692 witchcraft story. 

Part fantasy, part historical fiction and set in the era of the Salem Witchcraft trials, the book is based on Tituba, the first woman accused of witchcraft in colonial Salem and an enslaved person. Mr. Tamanini takes a provocative look at colonial America's shameful witch hunts and a central but forgotten figure. 

Virtual Author Talk: Dave Tamanini (YouTube)

Education and the Constitution: A Tour at the Schoolhouse Gate, for Constitution Day, 2022. 

Recorded September 2022, Mr. Lord discusses the Constitution as it relates to Education. In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court famously stated that education was a public service that "must be made available to all on equal terms." Outside of the equal protection context, the Court famously stated in Tinker that students and educators do not "shed their constitutional rights…at the schoolhouse gate." In this talk we will explore some of the chief constitutional protections the Court has recognized as afforded to students, parents and educators in the educational context under the US Constitution, including equal protection of the laws and freedom of speech or expression.

Patrick Charles Lord is Assistant Chief Counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). At PDE, Patrick is chiefly responsible for providing legal support with respect to transactional matters, including grants and procurements. Prior to joining PDE, Patrick served as Deputy General Counsel in the Governor's Office of General Counsel, where he focused his practice on economic development projects. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Hon. Anita B. Brody in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Patrick graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with a degree in History, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and served as Editor-in-Chief of The Hoya, Georgetown's student newspaper. Patrick received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School

Constitution Day (YouTube)

Meet Forum Conservator Aaron Warkentin and  learn about how the Forum Building offices and historic State Library of Pennsylvania renovations are progressing. State Library staff facilitated a Q and A discussion after the talk.

The Forum was originally designed for the Department of Public Instruction and is a "veritable record of the history of mankind... Upon its walls are engraved the rise and fall of civilization, its sculptures, inscriptions and magnificence inform and inspire all who step within its portals." 

Aaron M. Warkentin is an armchair historian, bibliophile, and museum professional, currently serving as curator with the B.R. Howard Conservation team. In his free time, Aaron enjoys visiting Civil War and Pennsylvania's industrial history sites with his two sons and wife, and volunteering with the Rolls-Royce Foundation, where he indulges his love of pre-war automobiles. He enjoys opportunities to dialogue with the public! 

Forum Building Restoration (YouTube)

Don Helin presents his latest book: From Army Regulations to Novels: A Writers Journey, recorded June 29, 2022

About the book: In less time than it takes to run a hundred-yard dash, Don Helin's life is shattered with the stunning news of an illness, triggering numbness, shock, confusion and despair. In a fast-paced memoir that reads more like one of his thriller novels, Helin leads us through his journey while weaving into the narrative of his military life the chaos of Vietnam, Watergate, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and political intrigue in the Pentagon. 

About the author: During his time in the military, Don Helin served at several stateside posts as well as overseas in Vietnam and Germany. He is the author of seven thrillers that draw from his military experience, including three tours in the Pentagon. He writes for TheBurg, a community magazine based in Harrisburg.

Don is the editor of the new anthology, Voices from the Pandemic. 2020 has brought changes in everyone's life. Read the memoirs of healthcare workers, educators, writers and entertainers, people who have experienced loss, and a special group — elementary school students — to better understand what this period has meant to all of us.

Virtual Author Talk: Don Helin (YouTube)

Recorded April 27, watch the recording of State Library Rare Collections Librarian Michael Lear as he delves into the history behind the amazing works by, for, and about Pennsylvanians that are protected within in the vaults of the State Library.

Benjamin Franklin's Pen and Press: Benjamin Franklin was a skilled practitioner and manipulator of the 18th century media landscape who became one of the first internationally known American media darlings. Learn about Franklin's career as a printer and publisher and his work as a communicator.  Examples of his newspaper and scientific and political writings from the State Library were featured.

Benjamin Franklin's Pen and Press (YouTube)

Presentation by State Library of Pennsylvania Reference Librarians (PDF), Amy Woytovich and Kathy Hale on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, about using historic census information for genealogical research.

U.S. Census data is a valuable source for discovering information about your ancestors. The 1950 census with names is scheduled to be released by the National Archives in April 2022. The census is a valuable tool for researching your family history.

State Library of Pennsylvania Virtual Author Talk: Joel Burcat discusses his latest book, Strange Fire, recorded on March 23, 2022.

Watch this virtual author talk to meet and hear from author Joel Burcat.  The author writes environmental thrillers set in Pennsylvania. 

In Strange Fire, a fiction novel, frackers have invaded Pennsylvania and round-the-clock operations conducted by Yukon Oil and Gas at their snake-ridden Campbell pad may have poisoned a residential well and threaten a town's water supply. Who is contaminating water wells in Bradford County? Why are contractors disappearing? Mike Jacobs, a 29-year-old impassioned environmental lawyer with Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection, is back in this romantically charged environmental legal thriller about fracking and drilling for natural gas. 

State authorities say the drilling did not cause the contamination. The neighbors have sued, and Mike must defend the state. Because of the unique nature of the case, Mike finds himself on what he considers the "wrong" side, defending a position in support of the drilling company. Mike begins to suspect the neighbors are right and must get to the truth of the matter while he can do so. Mike works closely with a geologist, Missy Shelton, who becomes more than merely his co-worker. As their feelings for each other grow, danger lurks for them both.  

About the Author:   Joel Burcat is a Harrisburg resident, novelist and environmental lawyer. His award-winning debut novel, Drink to Every Beast, about midnight dumping, was the first in his series of Mike Jacobs environmental legal thrillers. His second published novel, Amid Rage, about a war over strip coal mining, was the next in the series and was released on February 2, 2021. It has also won several literary awards.  His third novel, Strange Fire, was released on February 2, 2022. All three of his novels have been published by Headline Books, Inc.

State Library of Pennsylvania Virtual Author Talk: Joel Burcat discusses his latest book, Strange Fire (YouTube)

Watch the recording of Joshua Roth, Site Administrator for the PA Lumber Museum, as he discusses the history of the lumber industry and conducts a virtual tour of the site.    

"PA History: Read It, See It" is a series of virtual programs presented by the State Library of Pennsylvania in collaboration with  the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Each program features a fun and factual investigation into one of the Trails of History sites. These programs will provide suggestions for books and other resources related to each topic that you may find at your local public library, examples of site-specific rare and historic books from the vaults of the State Library's unique Rare Collections Library, and a special insider virtual tour of Pennsylvania's Historic Sites and Museums. Let this inspire you as you plan seasonal road trips across our state!  Supplemental materials to the program.

Pennsylvania Lumber Museum (YouTube)

Watch the recording of Pennsbury Manor Site Manager Douglas Miller as he discusses the reconstructed home of Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn (born on October 14, 1644).  

"PA History: Read It, See It" is a series of virtual programs presented by the State Library of Pennsylvania in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Each program features a fun and factual investigation into one of the Trails of History sites. These programs will provide suggestions for books and other resources related to each topic that you may find at your local public library, examples of site-specific rare and historic books from the vaults of the State Library's unique Rare Collections Library, and a special insider virtual tour of Pennsylvania's Historic Sites and Museums. Let this inspire you as you plan seasonal road trips across our state!    Supplemental materials to the program. 

Pennsbury Manor (YouTube)

Discover the Drake Well Museum and Park and learn about the place where the modern petroleum industry was born!   State library staff joined Sarah Goodman, Museum Educator at the Drake Well Museum, for a talk about the history, mission and vision of the historic site, and shared how Pennsylvanians’ use of petroleum shaped our landscape and history. 

Drake Well Museum and Park (YouTube)

The State Library is highlighting components of its Rare Collections through a series of programs about the care and feeding of rare books. State Library Rare Collections Librarian Michael Lear delves into topics centered on preservation and history of the items protected within the vaults of the State Library. Each session offers an opportunity to learn more about the history of books.  

Session Three: Illustrated Books Through Time - recorded August 11, 21

Michael Lear presents a virtual presentation titled “Illustrated Books Through Time,” which include an overview of the origin and evolution of illustrations in books from illuminated manuscripts to photography. Examples include illumination, woodcuts, wood engraving, copper and steel plate engravings, etchings, lithographs, chromolithographs, and photogravures. Artists and prominent illustrators are discussed in the context of examples presented.  

Illustrated Books Through Time (YouTube)

Join State Library staff and Pennsylvania author Catherine Jordan in an interactive virtual discussion of creative writing.  Catherine Jordan will discuss fiction, non-fiction, clarity in writing, and the art of writing. This one-hour program is designed for anyone aspiring to be a better writer. 

Catherine Jordan has published two horror novels, an array of dark fiction in 10 anthology collections, and has been featured within various on-line publications. She writes beer, wine, and cocktail articles for The Burg Magazine, an online and print magazine with over forty thousand readers. Catherine is the Review Coordinator for horrortree.com, voted one of the top 100 websites for writers. She has been a judge for the Bram Stoker Award and the ITW Young Adult Award. Catherine also edits and facilitates writing courses and critique groups. Ms. Jordan lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and five children.  

Pennsylvania Author Catherine Jordan: Aspiring Writers Discussion of Mystery Genre and More (YouTube)

Learn about PA German Heritage and see what life was like in their early Pennsylvania village during this month's "PA History: Read It, See It"  event where we'll  discover the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, a part of the Rural Farms & Village History Trail. 

"PA History: Read It, See It" is a series of virtual programs presented by the State Library of Pennsylvania in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Each program features a fun and factual investigation into one of the Trails of History sites. These programs will provide suggestions for books and other resources related to each topic that you may find at your local public library, examples of site-specific rare and historic books from the vaults of the State Library's unique Rare Collections Library, and a special insider virtual tour of Pennsylvania's Historic Sites and Museums. Let this inspire you as you plan seasonal road trips across our state!    Supplemental materials to the program.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museums  (YouTube)

Historian Jeff Hawks from the Army Heritage Center Foundation reflects on the 30th anniversary of the Gulf War, the seventeen years of reform and rebuilding after Vietnam that made the stunning victory in the desert possible, and the untold story of how the 101st Airborne avoided a disaster that could have changed the course of the war.

Operation Desert Storm - Reflections 30 Years Later (YouTube)

John and Sukey Jamison share their story and discuss their 2020 IPPY Award Winning book, Coyotes in the Pasture and Wolves at the Door: Stories and Recipes from Our Farm to Your Table. In 1985, Sukey and John Jamison started a farm business with two mortgages, three kids, and no job. They started raising lambs on grass, developed a mail order business, got discovered by many of the chefs who were fueling the Food Revolution, bought a USDA meat plant, and somehow educated their three kids whom they hoped would support them in their golden years. Sukey and John related how they dodged the bullets of under-capitalization, learned how to farm sustainably, and made Jamison Farm Lamb a staple on the menus of the best restaurants in the country.

Stories and Recipes From Jamison Farm To Your Table (YouTube)

It's no secret - Pennsylvania loves beer; the state ranks first in the nation for the number of barrels produced, and the state's brewers, breweries, and beers all have interesting stories to tell.

Join author Alison Feeney as she discusses stories featured in her book "For the Love of Beer" and all things barley and hops.

"For the Love of Beer" examines Pennsylvania's brewing history, geography, and cultural richness while highlighting over 100 of the states thriving craft breweries. From long-lasting breweries that survived Prohibition, to the most recent openings with upscale food and cutting-edge technology, this book describes how craft breweries in Pennsylvania have something to offer everyone.

Let's Talk Beer! (YouTube)

Interested in learning more about your immigrant ancestors? Join Pennsylvania State Library librarians Kathy Hale and Amy Woytovich for a virtual Lunch and Learn session that featured tips and strategies for uncovering information in genealogical records to help discover the story of your ancestors' arrival to the United States. Immigration information available on Ancestry.com, Family Search, the National Archives, and the Pennsylvania State Archives was discussed.

Researching Your Immigrant Ancestors (YouTube)

Enjoy this presentation from Michael Lear, the State Library's Rare Collections Librarian, as he delves into topics on book preservation and history. This presentation gives an overview of the 18th-century book in America from British imports to American-printed works and the role of the printer, bookbinder, and bookseller. Technology and production methods are discussed including paper making, printing, and binding. Examples from the State Library's collection are shown.

18th Century Books (YouTube)

This is a recording of the virtual book discussion with Phaedra Patrick, author of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, who discussed her book and answered questions from the virtual audience on April 7, 2021.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper was the "One Book, One Community" selection for York, Dauphin, Perry, and Cumberland Counties for Spring 2021. Phaedra Patrick is the international bestselling author of several books, including The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been translated into over twenty languages worldwide. Film rights for The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper have been optioned in the United States by a major Hollywood production studio. A USA Today bestseller, the novel was awarded the Prix des Lectrices 2017 in France, and was a top ten Audible audiobook in the US. It also reached top three on the Apple iBooks chart.

Book Talk with Author Phaedra Patrick (YouTube)

Curious about your ancestors? This recorded presentation features Amy and Kathy, expert librarians at the State Library of Pennsylvania who have over 15 years of genealogy experience.  This presentation is for adults who would like to learn the basic steps of researching your family history and connecting with your ancestors. This presentation will help you discover tips and tricks to find your elusive family members, engage with the experts with your own genealogy questions, and learn how to organize your family history and conduct family interviews. By the end of the presentation, you will learn how to start a family tree and formulate your own research strategy using various digital resources.

Exploring Your Roots - A Presentation on Genealogy (YouTube)

Virtually explore the vaults of the State Library of Pennsylvania! 

This is the first in a series of virtual programs about Rare Books. Watch Michael Lear, the State Library’s Rare Collections Librarian, as he delves into topics on book preservation and history. Each session will highlight an aspect of items protected within the vaults of the State Library of Pennsylvania. 

Session One: “Publishers' Bindings” 

This session features a discussion on the end of the hand-binding era and the emergence of publisher designed and produced edition bindings in the early-19th century. Mr. Lear will discuss the evolution of styles and methods used to produce 19th-century publishers' bindings between 1830-1930.  

Publisher's Bindings (YouTube)

This session features the authors and creators of the One Hundred Voices Monument describing their work to commemorate the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Amendments by establishing a new monument in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

One Hundred Voices: Harrisburg's Historic African American Community, 1850-1920 (YouTube)

This session featured William Burton and Barry Loveland speaking about and sharing passages from their book Out in Central Pennsylvania: The History of an LGBTQ Community.

​“Out in Central Pennsylvania” (YouTube)

This session featured guest presenter Curtis Vreeland, who spoke about the morale-boosting and peacemaking power of sweets in times of conflict.

“When Candy Goes to War” (YouTube)

This session featured guest presenter Michael Neiburg, chair of War Studies at the United States ­Army War College in Carlisle, PA.

​“The 100th Anniversary of the 1918 Armistice” (YouTube)