In south-eastern Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia, is the intensely cultivated and densely populated Lancaster County, also known, mistakenly, there being little evidence of any Dutch presence, as Pennsylvania Dutch Country.
In fact the name derives from the area's settlement, from the 18th c. onwards, by the Amish Mennonites and Moravian Brothers who, fleeing from persecution in Germany (Deutschland), were called "Dutch" rather than "Deutsch" by the people already living there. These religious communities still maintain their traditional way of life, rejecting the modern aids to living others take for granted. They are aware nevertheless of their potential as a tourist attraction, with the result that in summer the approach roads to Lancaster County are often quite congested.
The Indian Steps Museum was completed in 1912 by John E. Vandersloot of York. The is derived from the "steps" carved in the nearby (now submerged) Susquehanna River rocks by Indians who used the footholds as they fished for shad. More than 10,000 artifacts were embedded in the masonry walls to form Indian patterns, birds, animals, and reptiles, which tell the story of Indian inhabitants. A 350 year old holly tree is located on the grounds.
Christmas Village is a seasonal attraction that began 48 years ago when William M. Koziar began decorating his home and property. Each year something new was added - he began decorating the lake, walkways, trees, fences, and buildings, as well as continually adding to the barn and house.
Each year Christmas Village attracts thousands of tourists who come to view the more than one-half million Christmas lights!
Address
Koziar's Christmas Village 782 Christmas Village Road Bernville, PA 19506-8810 United States
The National Apple Museum features exhibits and artifacts pertaining to the Apple and Tree Fruit Industry's history. An 1880 kitchen is on display including quality control items, peelers, cider presses, and a vinegar generator. Other items on display include deeds and warrants from early settlers, a honey bee display and prize-winning quilts.
The Daniel Boone Homestead features 579 acres of land with seven 18th-century structures including the original 10 room stone house, and a lake. The Boone Homestead is furnished with mid-18th century furniture.
The Boiling Springs Pool was completed in 1927 and has undergone many renovations. Features include a 90' water slide at the shallow end of the main pool and a large waterslide tower.
Built in 1818, the Old Jail was one of the few buildings that survived the burning of the town of Chambersburg by Confederate forces in 1864. A museum with an early drugstore, a pioneer kitchen, and a gun collection are featured along with a genealogical library.
Cornwall Furnace was built in 1742 near the Cornwall Ore Banks, it operated until 1883. Visitors can view the original furnace stack, blast machinery, blowing tubs, open pit mine, and the Charcoal House. The furnace shut down in 1883.
The Cornwall Ore Banks operated mines from 1735 to 1972.
Address
Cornwall Iron Furnace Box 251 Cornwall, PA 17016-0251 United States
Phone 1 (717) 272-9711
Fax 1 (717) 272-0450
Hours
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
9:00
9:00
9:00
12:00
Close
17:00
17:00
17:00
17:00
Always opened on:
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ) American Independance Day (July 4) Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
The Masonic Village serve as a retirement residence and health care facility for Masons. The village has been in operation since 1910. A 6.5 acre garden is on the grounds. The formal gardens feature rare trees, ornamental shrubs, rose beds and arbors, a reflecting pond, and large water fountain.
Caledonia State Park was visited by Confederate troops during the Civil War. Pastures were used as field hospitals for the wounded taken from the Gettysburg Battlefield. The park is one of the oldest Pennsylvania state parks.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park has been in operation since 1960 offering visitors views of wild, exotic animals and adventure-seeking safari tours. The reptile building is a notable section of the park.
Address
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park 760 Tobias Road Halifax, PA 17032-9474 United States
Phone 1 (717) 362-9126
Fax 1 (717) 362-9993
Hours
May 1 to May 29
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
10:00
10:00
Close
19:00
19:00
May 30 to September 6
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
Close
18:00
18:00
18:00
18:00
18:00
19:00
19:00
September 7 to September 30
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
10:00
10:00
Close
19:00
19:00
October 1 to October 31
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
10:00
10:00
Close
18:00
18:00
Cost
Adult
$ 4.00
Child 2 & under
FREE
All values are in United States Dollars
Tips
Extra costs for tours, petting zoo and reptile building.
The first battle of the Civil War, north of the Mason-Dixon line, was fought in Hanover in 1863. It is the base for industries such as furniture, machine tools and snack foods including chips and pretzels. The largest Standardbred horse breeder in the world is located south of Hanover.
Visitors can observe the making of Utz Potato Chips and Snacks. A special glass enclosed observation gallery allows visitors to watch the process from beginning to end.
Address
Utz Quality Foods 900 High Street Hanover, PA 17331-1639 United States
Phone 1 (717) 637-6644
Fax 1 (717) 633-5102
Hours
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
8:00
8:00
8:00
8:00
Closed
Closed
Closed
Close
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1) Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ) American Independance Day (July 4) Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September) Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ) Christmas - Christian (December 25) Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Exhibits include information about wildlife, nuclear waste management and power generation. Muddy Run Information Center is part of a 700-acre recreation area.
The buildings were founded in 1771 by Ironmaster Mark Bird. Hopewell Furnace was a rural American nineteenth-century iron plantation. Its 14 restored structures and 848 mostly wooded acres includes include a blast furnace, the ironmaster's mansion, and auxiliary structures.
Wagon wheel inside a barn at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site.
Address
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site 2 Mark Bird Lane Elverson, PA 19520-9535 United States
Phone 1 (610) 582-8773
Fax 1 (610) 582-2768
Hours
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
Closed
9:00
9:00
9:00
9:00
9:00
Close
17:00
17:00
17:00
17:00
17:00
Always opened on:
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ) American Independance Day (July 4) Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September) Columbus Day - USA (2nd Monday, October ) Veteran's Day - USA (November 11)
Always closed on:
Martin Luther King's Birthday - USA (3rd Monday, January ) New Year's Day (January 1) President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February ) Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ) Veteran's Day - USA (November 11) Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area has more than 5,000 acres that provide natural habitat for waterfowl, forest wildlife and farmland wildlife. Within Middle Creek is a 400-acre shallow water lake.
The house was named after Amos Herr, the last living descendant of Henry and Elizabeth Herr. They built the front section of the house in 1852. Amos Herr taught at the local high school and was well known for sharing his love of learning, through travel, by showing his extensive slide collection to community groups.
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire features jousting, 16th century style food and drink, theater, artisans and hundreds of people dressed in Elizabethan costumes.
Address
Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire 2775 Lebanon Road Manheim, PA 17545 United States
Antique musical boxes ranging from a tiny snuff box musical works, circa 1820, to the wooden cob organ, circa 1900, are featured at Le Petit Museum of Musical Boxes. The museum is housed in an historic Federal Townhouse.
Located in a key position at a point where Swatara Creek and the Susquehanna River meet, Middletown boomed after the opening of the Pennsylvania and Union canals in the early 1800s.
Revere Tavern dates back to 1740, it was formerly called the "Sign of the Spread Eagle". Fine foods were served in generous portions to stagecoach travelers and that fine dining is still available today.
Address
Revere Tavern Box 336 Paradise, PA 17562-0336 United States
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center features a permanent exhibit about the Schwenkfelders who came to Pennsylvania in 1734.
There are also displays of German decorative arts and folk art.
Address
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center 105 Seminary Street Pennsburg, PA 18073 United States
Phone 1 (215) 679-3103
Fax 1 (215) 679-8175
Hours
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
9:00
9:00
9:00
9:00
10:00
13:00
Close
16:00
16:00
20:00
16:00
15:00
16:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1) Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ) American Independance Day (July 4) Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September) Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ) Christmas - Christian (December 25) Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26) Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24) Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06) Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
Robert Fulton, born in 1765, lived in Quarryville in this restored stone house. He was an inventor, artist and engineer. His drawings, portraits and invention models are on display during the summer months.
This exhibit features miniature villages and towns that represent the growth and development of rural America. Model trains are also part of the exhibit.
Waynesboro was established in 1749 and is noted for the peach and apple orchards that surround the town. Other highlights include Renfrew Museum and Park, and Waynesboro Historical Society.
The Renfrew Museum and Park complex features a house museum, visitor's center, outbuildings, picnic area and walking trails. The outbuildings include the smokehouse, milkhouse, a barn and farmhouse. A 300 piece pottery and decorative arts collection featuring ceramics, quilts and painted furniture are on display.
Hours
April 15 to October 15
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Open
Closed
12:00
12:00
12:00
12:00
13:00
13:00
Close
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
16:00
Always closed on:
Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ) American Independance Day (July 4) Labor Day - USA (1st Monday, September)
The 1719 Hans Herr House is the oldest surviving dwelling place in what is now Lancaster County. This was home to several generations of Hans Herr's family, until the 1860s, after which it was used as a barn and storage shed. The home has been restored and furnished. On site is an exhibit of Mennonite farm life as well as a blacksmith shop and orchard.
The five buildings at the Folk Craft Center & Museum house the varied collections of Mel Horst, including a wagon, sleigh, Stiegel Apothecary glass, and other antiques and artifacts that bring Pennsylvania Dutch heritage to life.
Conrad Weiser Homestead is a 26-acre landscaped park. Conrad served as a diplomat, judge, soldier and a noted Indian treaty maker. The 18th century residence, springhouse, and gravesite are highlights of the attraction.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
