Category: For Adults
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- 5/1/22 to 12/23/22
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The Gilded Age at Fort Hunter Fashion Exhibit
All that glitters is not gold, or is it? Extending from the 1870’s to 1900, between the Civil War and the turn of the Twentieth Century, the American Gilded Age was a time of rapid economic and industrial growth in the United States and a time of serious poverty and social problems as well. Glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath.The current, popular HBO series “The Gilded Age” focuses on the intrigue and drama of the upper-class families of New York City, showing fabulous women’s attire of the time. Helen and John Reily lived at Fort Hunter Mansion during this time period, from their marriage in 1886 until their deaths in the 1927 and 1932. Eleven dresses worn by Helen Reily during this time period will be on display for this exhibit.
An added feature of interest – a prominent figure in the HBO show is Ward McAllister, played by Nathan Lane. Ward was a real-life person who was the arbiter of good taste in New York society, advisor to Lady Astor. In real life, Ward McAllister was a great, great nephew of Fort Hunter’s builder, Archibald McAllister. Fort Hunter’s claim to fame!Exhibit mannequins are often featureless and without hair. Fort Hunter is fortunate to have real, human hair wigs depicting the latest fashions in hairstyles of the late 1800’s high society on the mannequin heads.
Thanks to Ashley Leitzel-Reichenbach, the Fort Hunter exhibit has professional wigs that truly reflect the hairstyles of the time and bring the exhibit to life. Ashley just finished the season as Head Hair Design for the TV show “Bull” and also currently works on the “The Gilded Age”. Fort Hunter is honored to have such television royalty contributing to the exhibit. Many thanks to Ashley for giving her time and tremendous talent to bring the Fort Hunter mannequins to life, the hair really does make the exhibit.
May – December
Tuesday- Sunday – 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Sunday – 12:00 – 4:30 pm
Museum admission charged or free to Friends of Fort Hunter members
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- 11/26/22 to 12/18/22
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Annual Festival of Trees - Saturdays and Sundays only
Co-sponsored by the Harrisburg Area Civic Garden Center, six themed Christmas trees are exhibited for viewing.Beautifully decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs the trees are available for raffle. A selection of handmade ornaments will be available for purchase.
Open Saturdays and Sundays only 12:30 – 4:30 November 26 – December 18Free
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- 11/26/22 to 12/18/22
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Toy Train Exhibit - Saturdays and Sundays Only
All aboard! The magical HO gauge model trains start rolling November 26 – December 18every Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 – 4:30. Presented by the Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society. Lots of interactive elements and the walk-around setup make this a must-see attraction for the whole family!
Old and new trains will be displayed each week and for the annual visitor, exciting new additions are made each year.
Thanks to the Friends of Fort Hunter for underwriting this popular attraction.
Open November 26 – December 18 Saturdays and Sundays only 12:30 – 4:30Free admission
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- 12/2/22 to 12/4/22
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Craft Reunion
Handcrafted, affordable pottery, jewelry, candles, metal sculpture, woodcraft, glass, fine art, photography, herbal soaps, photography, ornaments and more are offered for sale by members of the former Third Street Pottery.This annual open house is eagerly anticipated by visitors who value the opportunity to meet the makers of the fine crafts on offer. Buy Local from the best of central Pennsylvania’s artisans.
Free admission
Friday, December 2 – 12:00 – 9:00 pm Saturday, December 3 – 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday, December 4 – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
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- 12/3/22 to 12/18/22
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Fort Couture - Saturdays and Sundays Only
Adorned in holiday spirit, these dress forms decorated like a Christmas tree are a twist on holiday decoration.
Displayed in the Stone Stable, these festive wonders are created by volunteers, Friends of Fort Hunter and local businesses. Using fresh greens and other natural and imaginative materials, Fort Couture will amaze and inspire your holiday season.
December 3 – 18 Open Saturdays and Sundays only 12:30 – 4:30Free Admission
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- 12/4/22
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Clear Toy Candy Demonstration
One of the great traditions of Christmas in the 1800’s was receiving a piece of three-dimensional clear toy candy. Stop by the Mansion summer kitchen to visit with candy makers George Kopp and Gina Napoli and view the methods of creating this Pennsylvania-German tradition that dates back to the 1700s. Candies will be available for purchase.Free
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- 12/4/22
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Victorian Tea
Sample sweet and savory treats as you sip cups of spiced tea and enjoy the Mansion adorned for the holidays with fresh greens and natural trimmings.View a demonstration of making clear toy candy and enjoy the sound of holiday music with Becky Boone on her flute. The Museum Shop is well stocked for unique holiday gift ideas.
Guests begin their visit with a self-guided tour of the holiday decorations by the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club and conclude with tea in the dining room. Tea features the Friends of Fort Hunter spiced tea, ham and chicken finger sandwiches (egg salad available upon request while supplies last) and homemade cookies.
Guided tours will not be offered today. Be sure to visit the other holiday offerings during the afternoon – clear toy candy demonstration, open hearth cooking, toy trains, Festival of Trees and Fort Couture.
Reservations are required for timed entry, tickets are by online pre-registration only, click here for tickets
$20 non-members, $15 members
There will be no ticket sales at the door.
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- 12/4/22
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Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration
Pop in the Tavern House summer kitchen to see and smell the fire burning in the hearth and chat with cook, Audrey Trussell, as she prepares holiday treats over the open fire, using recipes (called receipts) from the 1800s.Free
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- 12/7/22
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St. Thomas Dulcimer Society in Concert
Enjoy a collection of holiday and seasonal tunes played on mountain dulcimers, Baritone dulcimers, a Bass dulcimer, banjammer (plays like a Dulcimer sounds like a banjo), harps, and hammer dulcimer.A holiday sing-along will conclude the concert and the Toy Train Exhibit will be open for a visit during a brief intermission. Seating is limited. FREE
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- 12/9/22
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Paper Ornament Workshop
Need a break from the chaos of the holidays? Join us for a relaxing night of paper crafting.Participants will learn how to make two different types of paper decorations while enjoying festive music and hot chocolate. While this workshop is open to crafters of all ages, we ask that children are accompanied by their grownup.
Click here to reserve your spot today!
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- 12/18/22
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Brass Triumphant in Concert
Enjoy a free concert of Christmas music. Join the 8 member, Mechanicsburg area brass group as they play familiar holiday tunes and Christmas songs in an informal concert setting. Many thanks to Rich and Barb Leitzel for underwriting this concert.Free
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- 1/11/23
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Virtual, Illustrated Lecture:Ecology – a Major Theme in The Trees Remember Historical Fiction with Joyce Kieffer
Virtually, join the Friends of Fort Hunter and local author Joyce Kieffer as she discusses her novels, set in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that deal with issues that are still relevant to today: environment, race, socioeconomics, and gender. Superimposed on these themes are the lush, beautiful forests, the rich cultural stories of rural Pennsylvania farm life and Native American respect for the plants, soil, and water we all share.A champion of women’s health throughout her 55-year career, Joyce established the one of the first organized childbirth classes offered in Pennsylvania in the 1960s, developed several health education and resource centers for women and their families, and started a parish nursing practice. Drawing on her career in women’s health and inspired by the forests of Juniata County, Joyce picked up her author’s pen to take on her lifelong dream of writing an historic novel.
This illustrated talk is FREE but participants must register to receive the link by email, to view the lecture. An email will be sent to you, in the days prior to the lecture date, with a link and sign in instructions to view the live talk.
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- 2/11/23
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Sweethearts Tea and Craft
Spend the afternoon with your special someone, whether that’s your sweetheart, grandchild, or an old friend. Enjoy a hearty cup of tea and some sweet treats before making a craft for someone in the community that needs a little love this Valentine’s Day.The craft will include 2 parts: a themed card to someone in the community, and a “pocket hug,” a small clay heart. The heart, or “pocket hug,” can be carried in the pocket of the recipient and given a squeeze whenever they are needing a little extra comfort. The cards and hearts will be delivered to members of the community by volunteers on Valentine’s Day.
$3 per person
Pre-registration is required, click here to register.
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- 2/25/23
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Indoor Game Day Family Program
Kaleidoscopes, whirligigs, and tiddlywinks, oh my! Break out of the winter doldrums with a day of play.Participate in indoor games and toys from the Colonial and Civil War eras, some of which are familiar and some may need some instruction. No worries, friendly staff will be on hand to demonstrate, so come on out and play!
$3 per person
Pre-registration is required, click here to register.
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