BOALSBURG — The Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg will reopen the weekend of Saturday, March 11, and Sunday, March 12, with a film festival on Saturday and free admission on Sunday in commemoration of the founding of Penn’s Woods in 1681.
“The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marks this time of year as the birthday of the commonwealth,” said museum educator Joe Horvath in a press release.
“Seeking a colony that tolerates religious freedom for all faiths, Quaker leader William Penn requested land in the New World from the King of England, Charles II. Penn received a charter granting him the land 336 years ago.”
The Pennsylvania Military Museum and 28th Division Shrine at 51 Boal Ave. is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The free admission on March 12 is offered at all historic sites and museums administered by the commission.
But, the Saturday films are unique to the military museum, according to site administrator Tyler Gum. “Started in 2013, we’ve featured several modern films from home and abroad.’
This year’s selections will take viewers to the Italian front of World War I and the North African deserts of World War II. The 1932 adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms,’ starring Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes, will be shown at 10:30 a.m. At 2:30 p.m., the 1944 film ‘The Fighting Rats of Tobruk,’ featuring Grant Taylor and Peter Finch, will be screened.
During the weekend, the museum also will inform the public of new events, initiatives and exhibits.
“April 2017 is the centennial of our entry into World War I. The museum is hosting a number of weekend presentations this year to remember that event,” said Gum.
A calendar of events is available at the museum’s new website, www.pamilmuseum.org, by visiting the museum’s Facebook page or by calling (814) 466-6263.
