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 — ANY 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 14 (NOTICE: DATE CHANGED FROM JULY 7 TO JULY 14)
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 717-949-2244
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. Over the past few months we have interviewed residents of Heidelberg Township. It has been so interesting listening to their memories of growing up in this area. During this meeting we will be sharing some of their stories. Come and join us for a step back in time. Enjoy refreshments and the 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. Reservations required.
Date: Saturday Dec. 14 – SOLD OUT!
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
2024-2025 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 2024 Saturday Class:
Date: 10 weeks starting Sept. 7, 2024
Time: 9:30AM – 11:30AM
Fee: Members – $55, Non-members – $60
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Aug. 23, 2024
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.
Fall Season 2024 Tuesday Class:
Date: 10 weeks starting Sept. 3, 2024
Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Fee: Members – $55, Non-members – $60
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Aug 23, 2024
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.
Winter-Spring Season 2025 Saturday Class:
Date: 10 weeks starting Feb. 1, 2025
Time: 9:30AM – 11:30AM
Fee: Members – $55, Non-members – $60
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Jan. 18, 2025
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.
Winter-Spring Season 2025 Tuesday Class:
Date: 10 weeks starting Feb. 4, 2025
Time: 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Fee: Members – $55, Non-members – $60
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Jan. 18, 2025
Note: Age 8 or older only. Class limited to 12 students. Bring pen or pencil.
Hooking a Primitive Sheep – Janice Sonnen
Date: Saturday Jan. 18, 2025 (Snow Date: Jan. 25)
Time: 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Fee: Members – $70, Non-members – $75
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Jan. 3, 2025
Note: Age 13 or older only. Bring scissors and a lunch. Class limited to 12 students.
Sgraffito Redware – Susan Horst
Date: Saturday Feb. 1, 2025 (Snow Date: Feb. 8)
Time: 9:00AM – Noon
Fee on 9-inch round: Members – $35, Non-members – $40
Fee on 11-inch round or 14-inch oval: Members – $60, Non-members – $65
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Jan. 12, 2025
Note: Age 13 or older only. Bring small towel, and your own design, if desired. Class limited to 20 students.
Scherenschnitte – Laurie Zimmerman
Date: Saturday Feb. 15, 2025 (Snow Date: Jan. 22)
Time: 9:00AM – Noon
Fee: Members – $75, Non-members – $80
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Jan. 29, 2025
Note: Choose 5 inch x 7 inch or 8 inch x 10 inch design. Age 13 or older only. Instructor will have rotary cutting mat. Bring several good watercolor brushes (S, M, L, — for example rounds #1, #2, #3). Class limited to 15 students.
Vinegar Graining – Laurie Zimmerman
Date: Saturday Feb. 15, 2025 (Snow Date: Feb. 22)
Time: 1:00PM – 3:30PM
Fee: Members – $70, Non-members – $75
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Jan. 29, 2025
Note: Age 13 or older only. Class limited to 15 students. Class will include graining an 8 inch x 10 inch 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 a lunch if also taking earlier Scherenshnitte Class).
Theorem Tree of Life – Peggy Allen
Date: Saturday Mar. 15, 2025 (Snow Date: Mar. 22)
Time: 10:00AM – 2:30PM
Fee: Members – $50, Non-members – $55
Registration: Call 717-949-2244 by Feb. 15, 2025
Note: Class will include making a 9 inch x 12 inch piece that is symbolic of Shaker community. Age 13 or older only. Class limited to 8 students. Bring a lunch.
Registration Payments: Do not mail cash. Make check payable to Historic Schaefferstown, Inc. and mail to: Historic Schaefferstown Inc., P.O. Box 307, Schaefferstown, PA 17088.
Any questions please call 717-949-2244.
Interested in taking or teaching a class in our 2025-2026 season? Let us know. Class ideas welcome.