Groundhog Day!

Plaque Text for this Pennsylvania Landmark:

As early as 1886, German immigrants here observed Groundhog Day and established the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club in 1899. According to folklore, if the hibernating groundhog—known as Punxsutawney Phil—leaves its burrow on February 2 and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. The legend is based on a European custom predicting the length of winter by weather conditions on Candlemas, an ancient Christian festival.

More about Groundhog Day:

The original Candlemas prognosticator was a German hedgehog whose name has been lost to history! Since hedgehogs are not native to North America, immigrants from Germany chose a new hibernating critter as their Candlemascot: the groundhog!

Since that first Groundhog Day, over 16 other prognosticating groundhogs have staked their claims on North American seasons, from Buckeye Chuck in Ohio to Wiarton Willie in Ontario! Statistics would tell you that Phil has only right about 36% of the time since 1969 when records started to be recorded, but true faith (and winter boredom) have kept thousands of folks returning to Gobbler’s Knob to see the Prognosticator of Prognosticators every year!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Become a member of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission!
Donate to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!