Pennsylvania
Reenactors, historians celebrate Pennsylvania’s birthday at Bushy Run museum
Educators, craftspeople, reenactors, volunteers and visitors hoping to learn more about local history crowded the halls of the Bushy Run Battlefield Museum on Sunday.
The occasion? The state of Pennsylvania’s 343rd birthday, or “Charter Day” — the day in 1681 that Pennsylvania was named, when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn.
The celebration is marked at many Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission sites like Bushy Run Battlefield with an open house day. Admission was free Sunday for the museum at Bushy Run, and though bad weather kept activities indoors, the historical party brought the past to life for attendees who explored exhibits at the visitor center.
Though Bushy Run Battlefield is better known for its battle history, which dates to more than 80 years after the founding, in August 1763, educators found ways to incorporate multiple eras of local history, said museum manager Matt Adams.
“There’s enough in this museum that talks about more broadly, the ideas of colonial expansion and settlement, and the role of the British military in the colony here, that we’re able to connect the stuff we do here with the founding in 1681,” Adams said.
Educators and reenactors showed off their period clothing and handmade items and talked about their areas of expertise.
Leon Sam Briggs, a Tonawanda Seneca artist, explained to visitors how different beadwork items, weapons, pipes, and bags were made, and talked about Native American life in the region.
“Everything I do is out of original—I do it the old-style way,” he said.
Some of his work has been featured in documentaries, he added.
Dan Balzarini, a reenactor with Proctor’s Militia in Hannastown, said he teaches about multiple different eras of history.
The clothing he wears and items he carries differ by time period, he explained—his waistcoat would be a different length if he was portraying a Revolutionary War soldier as opposed to a French and Indian War soldier.
“A lot of this you have to make yourself,” he said. “You just can’t go to JCPenney and buy gaiters or britches.”
Connecting to history
Henry Bowden, a reenactor who was portraying William Penn, signed copies of the Pennsylvania charter for visitors.
Bowden said many visitors are not as aware of pre-Revolutionary War history.
“That’s where I get the opportunity to introduce myself to them and give them a little background on the history of Pennsylvania,” he said.
Nina Carey and daughters Mia and Taylor Sarpolis of Jeannette were a few of those visitors who came to Charter Day explore local history. Carey said she and her family hike at the battlefield often, but they haven’t made their way to the visitor center before.
“You grow up here, and I always tell them, there’s so much history,” she said. “This is kind of like our backyard.”
Meadow Golick, 9, came with her mom, Amanda Golick, from Irwin. The two sat down at a table with volunteers to play colonial-era children’s games.
“We’ve just come to learn about history,” Amanda said.
Meadow said her favorite activity was getting to write with a feather pen.
Events like this give people multiple ways to connect to history, Adams said.
“It’s really just about trying to reach as many different people as we can, in as many different ways as we can,” he said. “Some people respond really well to going through a quiet museum, kind of reading the displays and seeing the artifacts, and some people respond really well to seeing the reenactors, and having them kind of lifelike in front of them.”
Many volunteers at the museum first got hooked on history as kids when they explored a museum themselves, he added.
“We figure, if we do something like this and we even get one or two people to get interested in history, then that pays of generations from now,” Adams said.
Julia Maruca is a TribLive reporter covering health and the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She joined the Trib in 2022 after working at the Butler Eagle covering southwestern Butler County. She can be reached at jmaruca@triblive.com.
Pennsylvania
A gap in Pennsylvania law has put fire companies and county treasurers at odds over online raffles
Pennsylvania is another step closer to restricting cellphone usage in schools after the state House passed a bill on a bipartisan vote on Monday, June 1, 2026.
House Bill 1814 would prohibit students in Pennsylvania’s public schools from using or possessing a cellphone during the school day. Under the bill, students would be required to secure their phones in a way that prevents access until the end of the day with exceptions being for certain emergency and medical needs approved by school administrators.
The bill now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration. The state Senate had previously passed legislation back in 2024 that encouraged school districts in Pennsylvania to start a pilot program that effectively banned cellphone use during the school day in an effort to improve the mental health and academic performance of students.
Governor Josh Shapiro and multiple Pennsylvania educators have also called for restrictions on cellphone usage in schools.
“Our children need this bill,” Rep. Mandy Steele (D-33rd District) said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get this bill to this point, but it’s been worth the effort. Research shows that unfettered access to devices is harming our children, and many educators tell me this bill is desperately needed. Governor Shapiro has urged the General Assembly to send him a bill banning cell phones in schools, and I urge the Senate to send this bill to his desk for the benefit of our children.”
Currently, at least 38 states and the District of Columbia restrict cellphone usage in schools, according to Education Week.
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Top Events and Attractions in The Sweetest Place On Earth this month
Happy June! The summer season in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is in full swing with so many things to do all month long. Keep reading for some of our top picks.
1. Spend The Day at Hersheypark
Open Daily; Hours Vary
Hersheypark amusement park is now open daily for its 120th summer season, with special events and activations in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
The largest amusement park in Pennsylvania features three parks in one this summer – all accessible via a single admission. Guests can enjoy more than 70 rides, including the most coasters in the Northeast, a full water park and an 11-acre zoo.
2. Cool Off at The Boardwalk
Open Daily, Weather Permitting; Hours Vary
Make a splash this summer at The Boardwalk at Hersheypark water park! Enjoy thrill rides like the Whitecap Racer and Breaker’s Edge Water Coaster, or relax on the 1,360-foot Intercoastal Waterway lazy river. Plus, experience our two new water play areas, The Inlet and The Island at Bayside Pier, or get drenched by the massive East Coast Waterworks and its 1,000-gallon tipping bucket. Access to The Boardwalk is included with general Hersheypark admission.
3. Visit ZooAmerica
Open Daily; Hours Vary
ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park is open every day in June for guests to explore a variety of habitats filled with North American animals such as river otters, Canada lynx and a black bear. The zoo offers daily summer activities, such as special animal enrichment and training sessions for guests to watch, weather permitting.
Hersheypark tickets include entry to ZooAmerica only by accessing the Zoo through the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours. Those interested in visiting ZooAmerica in the morning before Hersheypark opens must purchase separate Zoo admission tickets online or at the Zoo Admissions Building.
4. Jazz On The Veranda at The Hotel Hershey
June 5 & 12; 7 to 10 p.m.
Unwind on the veranda at The Hotel Hershey on select Fridays this summer for live music, sweet views, cocktails and light shareables available for walk-up service. Seating is first-come, first-served.
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6. Learn About Milton Hershey at the 1893 World’s Fair at The Hershey Story Museum
June 13 & 14; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Step into the excitement and innovation of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair at The Hershey Story Museum! Discover how the historic event shaped Milton Hershey’s future and the future of chocolate during a two-day, immersive event. The family-friendly indoor-outdoor experience features hands-on activities and interactive “innovation stations” inspired by the groundbreaking inventions and technologies showcased at the original 1893 fair.
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7. Father’s Day Celebrations at Hershey Gardens
June 21; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Treat Dad to a stunning display of classic Rolls-Royces and Bentleys at Hershey Gardens while learning the history of these luxury vehicles from the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club. Afterward, stroll through the grounds to enjoy 3,000 vibrant roses in full bloom just in time for the first day of summer. As a special gift, all dads receive free admission to the Gardens on Father’s Day, and the car display is included with general admission.
Butterfly Atrium at Hershey Gardens
8. Youth Takeover Day at The Hershey Story Museum
June 27; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Experience Hershey history through the eyes of the community’s youth on Youth Takeover day at The Hershey Story Museum. As part of this annual national event, local students will take center stage to highlight young voices, ideas and leadership within the museum. Guests are invited to engage in hands-on activities, explore the Museum Experience and gain fresh perspectives on our region’s past through the unique insights of our local participants. This special programming is included with general Museum Experience admission.
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9. Enjoy Outdoor Dining
Daily; Reservations Available at Selection Locations
As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, join us for sweet outdoor dining (weather permitting) at the locations below across the destination:
10. Relax With A Summer Spa Treatment
Daily; Appointments Highly Encouraged
The Spa At The Hotel Hershey and MeltSpa by Hershey mark the return of their summer seasonal treatments this month! Treat yourself to a day of pampering at The Spa At The Hotel Hershey with summer spa packages like the Vacation For A Day Package or indulge in the Summer Strawberry Collection at MeltSpa by Hershey with treatments including the Summer Strawberry Immersion, Scrub, Manicure and Pedicure.
11. National Rose Month at Hershey Gardens
June is National Rose Month, and there’s no better place to celebrate than Hershey Gardens, home to 3,000 blooming roses in 115 stunning varieties. To mark the occasion, any guest named “Rose” (or a variation thereof) will receive free admission all month long.
Plus, in honor of National Red Rose Day, Hershey Gardens is hosting special 30-minute guided tours of the Historic Hershey Rose Garden on Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tours are included with general admission.
Roses at Hershey Gardens 2024
Roses at Hershey Gardens 2024
Roses at Hershey Gardens 2024
Roses at Hershey Gardens 2024
12. Book A Getaway at an Official Resort of Hersheypark
Extend your visit to The Sweetest Place On Earth with an overnight getaway to one of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark! Save with popular summer packages, including the guest-favorite Kids Stay, Play & Eat FREE Package – back for a limited time at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey Lodge and Hershey Inn & Suites. Or, celebrate National Camping Month with the Hersheypark Summer Camping Package, including Park tickets and accommodations at Hersheypark Camping Resort.
Resort guests can make a splash at the outdoor pool complexes, open daily through Labor Day. Plus, enjoy daily resort activities, including Hershey Character appearances, s’mores roasts, chocolate bingo and more.
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