Annual Holiday Marketplace to Offer Unique Gifts Ideas from Pennsylvania's Historical Sites

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) will hold its seventh annual Holiday Marketplace on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 15-16, in the atrium of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg.

Open to local residents and employees working in or near the Capitol Complex, the Holiday Marketplace showcases Pennsylvania-themed holiday gifts from a number of PHMC's historic sites and museums across the state.  

Products include hand-crafted items such as beeswax candles, holiday decorations, reproductions of vintage toys and games, books, pottery, and maple sugar candy.   

This year, Ephrata Cloister, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, Pennsbury Manor, Somerset Historical Center and The State Museum Store will be participating. 

The Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will offer items that reflect and support Pennsylvania's heritage and natural beauty. The Keystone Cafeteria will offer seasonal fare.

Two special presentations during the Marketplace will highlight Pennsylvania's agricultural and culinary heritage. 

Author Becky Diamond will speak about her book 'Mrs. Goodfellow: The Story of America's First Cooking School' on Nov. 15 at 12:15 p.m.

Mark Ware of Somerset Historical Center will present a maple sugaring demonstration on Nov. 16 at 12:15 p.m.

In the spirit of the season of giving, The State Museum will participate in the "Third in the Burg Gives Back" food drive. A booth will be set up to receive donations of canned goods and non-perishable items.

Donations will benefit the Ecumenical Food Pantry based at Messiah Lutheran Church on Forster Street and Commonwealth Avenue. For four decades, the mission of the Ecumenical Food Pantry has been to provide food to help meet the emergency needs of people in the greater Harrisburg area.

"Third in the Burg" is a partnership of galleries and businesses celebrating local artists and their work on the third Friday of each month.

Each person donating an item to the food drive will receive a discount coupon to The State Museum Store as a thank-you for their contributions.

PSECU is once again the sponsor of the event, which is presented by PHMC's non-profit support organization, the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation.

Holiday Marketplace hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on Holiday Marketplace, visit: www.paheritage.org.

Media Contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission