sigal-museum-buildingSeptember 3, 2016-March 1, 2017  “Cabinet of Curiosities”  Exhibit, Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA.
Within the depths of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society collection are never-before-seen artifacts that will ignite your curiosity and send shivers down your spine! The Sigal Museum will showcase its eerie, weird, and most curious objects from the collection vault. Visitors will learn the stories behind strange objects like the Apache Skull Cracker, Benjamin Yowell’s own Cabinet of Curiosities, the Korean Death Pot, Little Master Bobby, and many more. What is a Cabinet of Curiosities? For hundreds of years, people have been collecting items relating to the natural world, archaeological wonders, religious relics, art — almost anything you can think of! People shared their collections with each other to learn about these artifacts and to entertain each other. Visitors can step back in time and be the first to lay eyes on never-before-seen objects. Dare to explore the museum’s best kept secrets? Attendance free with paid admission.

Now until February 1, 2017  “Spirits of Easton” Exhibit, Sigal Museum 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA.
Alcoholic beverages hold a special place in global history, with roots dating back to more than 4,000 years ago! Particularly in early American history, this remains true. When small villages and towns were set up in the new world, often two of the first things to be built were a brewery and a grain mill. Easton was no exception. Brewing and distilling have a rich history in the local area as well. In partnership with Porters’ Pub, the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society presents “Spirits of Easton” — a small but enticing exhibition on some of the early brewers of 19th century Easton and surrounding areas. Join in reminiscing about the Seitz, Kuebler, and Veile brewing companies and others through a display of exquisite vintage bottles, grain ledgers, photographs, and more.  Attendance free with paid admission.

Lectures and Programs:

September 10, 1 pm, Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA “Teachings from the Turtle Clan: A Lenape Family Program”  by Chief Chuck DeMund. Learn the stories, legends, and history of the indigenous people who once inhabited – and still inhabit — this area. Families are especially invited to enjoy the drumming, singing, dancing, and story-telling by Chuck Gentlemoon DeMund, Ceremonial Chief of the Lenape Nation of PA and spiritual leader of the Eastern Medicine Society. Attendance free with paid admission.

September 17, 1 pm  “General John Sullivan & the Battle of the Brandywine,”  Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Michael Harris, Norristown historian and teacher, grew up learning about battles Americans fought in. His interest in Brandywine – the largest battle of the American Revolution and one that encompassed more troops over more land than any combat on American Soil until the Civil War – grew into a book-length study that reveals why the battle gained the reputation as the Battle that Lost Philadelphia but Saved America on September 11, 1777. Harris will offer a book-signing following his talk. Attendance free with paid admission.

September 24, 11 am – 2 pm  Museums Tours. Museums of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, headquarters at the Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Tour the 1753 Bachmann Publick House (2nd & Northampton Sts.) and the 1833 Mixsell House Museum (4th & Ferry Sts.) as well as the Simon Mansion on Lafayette College Parents’ Day. Admission $4 (a discount of $1 for students with ID).

October 7, 7 pm  Colonial Dinner Theater: “Easton in Crisis 1755”  Bachmann Publick House of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, 2nd and Northampton Sts., Easton, PA Presented by the Bachmann Players, Benjamin Franklin comes to Easton to help resolve the crisis with the Indians. $50 per person. Reservations required: Call 610.253.1222

October 15, 6:00 – 9:00 pm.  The Lehigh Valley Wine Auction, co-sponsored by the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society and the Children’s Home of Easton, at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton, PA The premier wine auction of the Lehigh Valley offers an extensive selection of outstanding vintages, offered in live and silent auctions, and draws aficionados from around the nation. Tickets for the food and wine pairings are available at www.lehighvalleywinegala.com, at the Sigal Museum, or at 610-258-2831, ext 153.

October 22, 2 pm  “Haunted Crime Scenes: Forensic Investigation and Ghost Stories,” by Dr. Katherine Ramsland, Professor of Forensic Psychology and Director of the Master’s Program in Criminal Justice at DeSales University. She has published 56 nonfiction books (among them Murder in the Lehigh Valley and Bethlehem Ghosts), 16 short stories, 3 novels, and more than 1,000 articles on serial killers, criminal investigation, and criminal psychology.  Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. What happens when you blend forensic investigation with ghost stories? Author and explorer Katherine Ramsland adds a unique twist to our local tales. Attendance free with paid admission.

October 22, 7 pm  Colonial Dinner Theater: “Easton in Crisis 1755”  Bachmann Publick House of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, 2nd and Northampton Sts., Easton, PA  Presented by the Bachmann Players, Benjamin Franklin comes to Easton to help resolve the crisis with the Indians. Diners enjoy a colonial dinner while interacting with the characters. $50 per person. Reservations required: Call 610.253.1222

October 29, 5:00 – 8 pm  “Haunted History Night” at Sigal Museum, mixsell-house-2 House, and Bachmann Publick House, of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, offices at Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. History and ghostly chills combine in a series of candlelight tours hosted by the Sigal Museum, Bachmann Publick House and the Mixsell House museum. Discover the weird and strange at the Sigal Museum’s exhibit, Cabinet of Curiosities.  Meet ghostly soldiers from the Revolutionary and Civil War, pirates and privateers; take your photo with the Headless Horseman. Listen to very fastidious 19th c. Miss Mary’s account of Mixsell ghosts. Take part in a Victorian séance and parlor games.   Proceeds benefit the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society.  Tickets are available at any of the 3 sites.  For ticket information contact Sigal Museum at sigalmuseum.org or call 610.253.1222.

October 29, 11 am – 1 pm  Children’s Art Program:  Magic Lanterns, Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Free and easily attended sidewalk art program for children and their adults offered at the Sigal Museum. Sponsored by Crayola, they will be led by Art Educator Holly Houser, who knows how to lead children to a final project in just a few happy minutes. Children make Magic Lanterns just in time for Halloween. Free.