historic schaefferstown, inc.

2/28/2015 If you have difficulty finding this location in your GPS it would Newmanstown; not Schaeferstown Pa 17088 Hess Station. Coming from Shady Maple Food Market and Restaurant routes 23 and 897 take 897 North until Schaefferstown.There is a waterworks park down S. Market Street and an old bank next door. Lots of gingerbread on some houses. Really nice.Middlecreek Wildlife Management Center is just down 897 where you can see many geese, ducks when the pond is not frozen. It's also a good fishing spot.This is a great area to visit but would suggest you pack a lunch and Skip the Franklin House Tavern.v

They have a nice antique shop as well as a primitive shop I love, called the Tweed Weasel as well a a decent restaurant called the Franklin House. They also have the middle creek wildlife preserve, which is beautiful for biking. hiking, picnics or just a scenic drive.

Tour guides very helpful. You are permitted ( provided you are physically able) to go in the basement level. Interesting history. Great book/gift store.

We went to their Harvest Festival at the old Alexander Schaeffer historic farm; they also have a festival there in June called The Cherry Fair. Parking was easy in a big field right next to the attractions and admission was only $5 each, with young children being free. Big old trees shaded most of the areas and a small stream runs through the grounds. The large limestone farmhouse tour was quite interesting as were the small homesteading house and the springhouse cabin. We enjoyed the exhibits in the big old barn, the demonstration of bread making in an outdoor 'squirrel oven', and log cutting at the old lumber mill. There were lots of historic craftsmen in period costumes and their workmanship was excellent. Crafts included candle making, broom making, basketry, handmade soaps, needle crafts, ceramic red ware, canes, quilting, wool rugs, hand woven cloth, cherry woodenware, hand painted boxes with historic designs, shoemaking and more. There was music on the rustic stage as well as here and there on the grounds. The horse drawn wagon rides was fun and it was fascinating to watch a team of horses pull an old fashioned harvesting plow through a field of barley. Food stands were there too and offered hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage sandwiches and local foods like apple snitz pie. We took lots and lots of photos because so many of the scenes were real photo ops. My husband, 11 year old granddaughter and I thoroughly enjoyed spending the afternoon there and can recommend it to others.

The Cherry Fest and Fall fest great time! Just an old fashion festival not a lot of gimmicks.