Our Story

Opened in 1990, the museum is housed in a restored pre-Civil War bank barn and is owned and operated by the Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society. The museum mission is to preserve and exhibit the history and attendant artifacts pertaining to the Apple and Tree Fruit Industry's history and contributions to the development and growth of Adams County. Exhibits include early picking, packing, and shipping of fruit, pest management, commercial fruit processing equipment, early orchard photographs and a recreated 1880's farm kitchen and a General Store. The museum also features collections of farming implements, apple peelers and fruit labels and much more apple memorabilia.

The museum is open May through October of each year, Saturdays from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. and Sundays from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment during the week and on weekends. The museum also has a first floor meeting room with audio/visual equipment, kitchen, lavatories, and a separate outside enclosed pavilion with electrical outlets. Both can be rented for a reasonable fee for reunions, group meetings, etc. The museum and the pavilion are accessible for the handicapped. Groups often rent the pavilion for cookouts, and some have their meals catered for their events. The museum also has a Gift Store, with most items having an agricultural or orchard related theme.

The Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society was formed in 1981. Its goals were to create a museum facility to honor, archive, promote and display material, memorabilia, and equipment of the Apple and Fruit Industry in Adams County. A local business man and farmer, Mr. Clair Ditzler, a founding member of the society, subsequently donated to the society a number of acres of his farm as well as his barn to house the future museum. Later, he headed the effort to upgrade and modernize the barn to house the museum. The National Apple Museum subsequently was opened to the public in 1990.

The museum is located on Rte 394/West Hanover St. in Biglerville. It is easy to get to by taking Pa. Rte 34 north from Gettysburg, or the same route south from Interstate 81 at Carlisle, Pa. as well as the Pa. Turnpike at the U.S. Rte 15 south exit, east of Carlisle. Exit from U.S. 15 south to west Pa. 394 and stay on that road. The museum is about a quarter mile west of the junction of Routes 34 and 394 in Biglerville.

Hours: Reopening soon, but currently closed due to COVID-19 Tours by appointment only. Call (717) 677-4556

May through October:	Saturday: 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.
	Sunday:    1 to 4 P.M.

Guided Tours:

To arrange for guided tours for groups throughout the year -weekdays only- please call 717-677-4556. Requests need to be made at least one week prior to the desired date.
A tour guide is on duty on the weekends (May through October) for casual admissions.

Admissios: Admission is free, but we do appreciate donations!

Gift Shop:

Open on weekends (May through October) and for scheduled tours (Monday through Friday) throughout the year.