Events

EVENTS: Take advantage of all our great events – festivals, speaker presentations, adult workshops, youth camps, classes, and more held throughout the year. Members enjoy discounted fees.

CLASSES: Scroll down. Upcoming Classes are listed below the Events. Members enjoy discounted fees. All listings are subject to change.

2024 Events


NOTE: EVENTS APPEARING IN LIGHT GREY HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE THIS YEAR — INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR GENERAL REFERENCE ONLY.  

Historical Speaker Series:
Henry William Stiegel

This event is FREE and presented in the Brendle Museum’s lower level by Dan Snyder. (More details to come.)

Date: Sunday March 17
Start Time: 2:00PM
Details: 717-949-2244


Historical Speaker Series:
Draft Farm Animals

This event is FREE and presented in the Brendle Museum’s lower level by Dr. Katelyn Reist. (More details to come.)

Date: Sunday April 28
Start Time: 2:00PM
Details: 717-949-2244


Historical Speaker Series:
Miniature Portraits

This event is FREE and presented in the Brendle Museum’s lower level by Ruth Williams. (More details to come.)

Date: Sunday May 19
Start Time: 2:00PM
Details: 717-949-2244


Cherry Fair & Early American Craft Show 

Since the 1700s, the Schaefferstown Cherry Fair has thrilled visitors. Now held at the historic Alexander Schaeffer Farm, guests enjoy skilled artisans, entertainment, demonstrations, food, games and the Museum Store. The Schaeffer House and Heirloom Garden will be available to tour.

Date: Saturday June 22
Time: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Fee: Members – Free; Non-members – $8.00 per person; Supervised children under age 12 admitted free with paying adult. Leashed pets permitted at this event.
Details: 717-949-2244


Afternoon Garden Tea

Enjoy a tour of the farm’s Heirloom Garden. Speaker Jenel Schaffer, owner of Sheep Hill Herb, will present All About Making Herbal Teas – with different ways to make teas.

Date: Sunday July 7
Start Time: 2:00PM
Suggested Donation: $5.00
Details: 717-949-2244


Young Villagers Colonial Workshop

For children entering 4th through 7th grades, this fun week at the historic Schaeffer Farm is a great way to learn more about real early American life. Many young villagers enjoy it so much, they return every year!

Date: July 15 – 18
Time: 10:00AM – 3:00PM each day
Fee: Members – $50.00 per child, Non-members – $70.00 per child
Details: To register, call 717-866-5242


WWII Weekend

The Schaeffer Farm becomes a World War II infantry encampment. Enjoy live battle re-enactments, displays, demos and tours of the bivouac areas. Food and restrooms will be available.

Date: July 27 – 28
Time: Sat. 9:00AM – 5:00PM,  Sun. 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Fee: $5.00 parking, but no event admission fee. Donations welcome.
Details: 717-949-2244


Fall Harvest Fair & Early American Craft Show

The Schaeffer Farm comes alive. Enjoy period artisans,crafts, cooking, cider-pressing, farm-life demonstrations, unique entertainment, and Museum Store. The Historic Schaeffer House and the Heirloom Garden will be open for self-guided tours.

Date: September 14 & 15
Time: Sat. 10:00AM – 4:00PM,  Sun. 11:30AM – 4:00PM
Fee: Members – Free; Non-members – $8.00 per person; Supervised children under age 12 admitted free with paying adult. Leashed pets permitted at this event.
Details: 717-949-2244


Annual Meeting & Presentation

Everyone is invited to this free event — all members, guests and visitors are welcome to attend. Join us at Brendle Museum’s Lower Level for our feature presentation (topic TBD), refreshments, and popular Silent Auction.  Bring a dessert and an item to donate to the silent suction.

Date: Sunday October 20
Time: 2:00PM
Fee: Free
Details: 717-949-2244


Christkindlmarkt

Enjoy this free-admission event where you’ll enjoy finding handmade period gifts made by 20+ skilled artisans working in our region. This year, we have partnered with St. Paul’s UCC (in Social Hall) to host this event. The venue’s address is 1304 Heidelberg Ave, Schaefferstown PA 17088. Credit cards accepted. Off-street parking.

Date: Friday, Dec. 13, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Date: Saturday Dec. 14, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fee: Free Admission
Details: 717-949-2244


Tavern Lunch

Experience a true tavern lunch at the Gemberling-Rex House at 106 N. Market St.  There are 5 full-service sittings from late morning to mid-afternoon. 

Date: Saturday Dec. 14 – RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Time: Lunch sittings offered for 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 12 Noon, 1:00PM, and 2:00PM 
Fee: Lunch is $18.00 per person
Details/Reservations: 717-949-2244


2023-2024 Adult Classes

NOTE: CLASSES APPEARING IN LIGHT GREY ARE FILLED OR HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE THIS YEAR — INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR GENERAL REFERENCE ONLY.

Learn to Speak Pennsylvania German – Alice Spayd

Fall Season Saturday Class: CLASS IS FILLED
Date: 6 weeks starting Sept. 30, 2023

Time: 9:30AM – 11:30AM
Fee: Members – $25, Non-members – $30

Registration: Call 717-866-5242 by Sept. 8, 2023
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.

Fall Season Tuesday Class: CLASS IS FILLED
Date: 5 weeks starting Oct. 3, 2023

Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Fee: Members – $20, Non-members – $25

Registration: Call 717-866-5242 by Sept. 8, 2023
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.

Winter Season Saturday Class: CLASS IS FILLED
Date: 10 weeks starting Jan. 27, 2024

Time: 9:30AM – 11:30AM
Fee: Members – $45, Non-members – $50

Registration: Call 717-866-5242 by Jan. 12, 2024
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.

Winter Season Tuesday Class: CLASS IS FILLED
Date: 10 weeks starting Jan. 30, 2024

Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Fee: Members – $45, Non-members – $50

Registration: Call 717-866-5242 by Jan. 12, 2024
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.


Hooking a Valentine Flower – Janice Sonnen
CLASS IS FILLED
Date:
Sat. Jan. 20, 2024  (Snow Date: Jan. 27)

Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Fee: Members – $65, Non-members – $70
Registration:  Call 717-866-5242 by Jan. 10, 2024
Note: Age 13 or older only. Bring scissors and a lunch. Class limited to 12 students.


Sgraffito Redware – Susan Horst
CLASS IS FILLED
Date: 
Sat. Feb. 3, 2024  (Snow Date: Feb. 10)

Time: 9:00AM – Noon
Fee on 9-inch round: Members – $35, Non-members – $40
Fee on 12-inch round: Members – $55, Non-members – $60
Registration: Call 717-866-5242 by Jan. 12, 2024
Note: Age 13 or older only. You may bring your own design idea if you wish. Bring apron or towel. Class limited to 12 students.


Fraktur & Vinegar Graining – Laurie Zimmerman
Date: Sat. February 17, 2024  (Snow Date: Feb. 24)
Time: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Fee: Members – $65, Non-members – $70
Registration: Call 717-866-5242 by Jan. 29, 2024
Note: Age 13 or older only. Class limited to 15 students. Class will include making the Fraktur and graining a frame (glass included).  Please bring watercolor brushes – Rounds 8,2,0; Liner 2; Angular 4 or 5; 12-inch clear plastic ruler, no. 2 pencil; small spray bottle; wear old clothes; bring lunch.


Registration Payments: Make check payable to Historic Schaefferstown, Inc. and mail to Alice Oskam, 201 Golf Road, Myerstown, PA 17067. Do not mail cash.

Interested in taking or teaching a class in our 2024-2025 season? Let us know. Class ideas welcome.