Come Enjoy Our Annual Meeting Open House!
Dear BHPS Members and Agriculture Related Friends and Businesses,
In 2016, the BHPS reorganized and started a new phase of having the
organization and The National Apple Museum be a wider outreach in the Upper
Adams and Adams County Communities.
Our purpose has remained the same:
To foster interest in the history of Biglerville and vicinity
Conduct research
Preserve records and objects
Mark and preserve landmarks
Pursue such activities as may be related to the history of the community
Collect, preserve and display the memorabilia
Collect, preserve and display tools, artifacts, and history of the local fruit
industry
House and display these to the public in The National Apple Museum
A lot of maintenance has happened since 2017. The barn was inspected and brackets
of additional support were installed. Additional improvements: new flooring in the upper
display area, display areas updated and improved, research library organized, newly found
and donated items displayed, cement floors painted, bathrooms improved, a new outside
door installed, updated shelves and display areas in the gift shop, barn roof reinforced, barn
spouting replaced to avoid runoff and wall moisture, exterior weathered boards on the barn
replaced, new landscaping with new dwarf apple trees and flowering trees, rotting trees
removed, fencing improved, blacktop resealed and lined, rain garden installed by the
Biglerville Garden Club, pavilion – new roof/ new siding/ new spouting/ window sealing/
interior wall insulated and enclosed/ new tops on tables/ garage doors fixed and improved/
post beetles and old car removed/ water and sink availability improved/ rental of one bay.
There have been many other smaller improvements that are too numerous to list. The office
has been cleaned and repainted, a computer and a computer desk were donated, an air
conditioner installed and other small items donated.
A major project upcoming is the improvement of the kitchen. We have had a few
items donated already but are in need of additional items such as appliances and possibly
cupboards.
The cement floors on the main level need improvement. Painting again is an option or
possibly a more permanent finish. This could possibly be incorporated with the kitchen
remodel.
The number of rentals has been a great source of income. Our partnership with
Ploughman Cider has brought us Friday Night Music concerts / May thru Labor Day / the last
three years. This has been giving us a lot of exposure to visitors from many areas. The gift
shop is open on those Friday nights as well as the weekends May thru October. We have
greatly expanded our advertisement for visitors to the area. We are part of the Crop Hop
sponsored by Destination Gettysburg. This program gives locals as well as area visitors a list
of agricultural stops to visit. We have had several fund-raising events, with more in the
future, that have brought us a percentage of the vendors profits. This year was our first
Blossom Festival on May 14th . We had 42 vendors, special music, carriage rides, and
approximately 500 visitors. Many volunteers were part of making this all happen. We have
learned a lot for future Blossom Festivals, including May 6, 2023.
Our basic operating expenses for the year are approximately $17,000. That keeps the
lights, heat, telephone, insurance, garbage and maintenance all paid. We have volunteers (
some groups and other individuals) for guides, gift shop workers, cleaners, maintenance
and everything in-between helpers. BHPS is so privileged to have interest in this special
outreach to our community.
This is a non-profit organization, so much of our income is from donations. Your dues
of $10 per year or $100 for lifetime really do need to be kept up to date. By our by-laws, if
dues are not kept up to date, your membership is to be terminated. Your dues, not only
make you a member of a great organization, but your use of the facility is by donation rather
than charge per hour. This is a privilege. Being a volunteer gives you a special part in your
investment in this local project and your community. Call or stop by to see what you can do
to contribute and be sure your info and dues are up to date.
Our annual meeting is November 19. We will start off the day in the morning at 10.
Special music will be performed by Ray Owen and Ms Christine. They will have
presentations every hour starting at 11. The Annual Meeting will begin at 3. Throughout
the day food will be served. Tours of the museum will be available as self-guided or
personal. Paid Dues and donations will give you a ticket for a chance at our door prizes to be
given away that day. You will also receive a special commemorative gift. A scavenger hunt
will take you throughout the museum to find the answers and a special completion ticket to
be used. The 2022-2023 PA Apple Queen and Princesses will be with us and helping with the
children’s activities, crafts and games. Our library will be featured this year. A librarian and
researcher will be available to take you on a research adventure where you can check out
our cemetery record, the 1858 Adams County map, the largest collection of crate labels in
the world, many old photos with some needing identification. We also have complete sets
of Musselman processors that are packed full of history. Our special speaker this year will
be Phil Roth, grandson of I Z Musselman. He will be speaking about his grandfather as well
as uncle C H Musselman and their contribution to our agriculture community – a multimedia
presentation.
Have you gotten into our newly combined website and listened to our blogs or
checked out our ever-changing podcasts of interviews or maybe checked out our gallery of
pictures. I guarantee you will learn something.
All this does not just happen. It takes a lot of time, dedication, volunteers, interest in
our heritage, and as has been said – a lot of money. Not opening the doors for use and
visitors costs money. We need your help in many ways. One of the needs is money.
Donations are greatly appreciated and are used very wisely, as you can see.
If you can come to see the museum would be a great support. Volunteer and there is
sure to be a job that fits your talents. All those supporting help to keep us an active part of
the community and fulfilling our purpose as BHPS/National Apple Museum.
Please, put the date of Nov 19 on your calendar and come for the open house and
annual meeting. Take a tour, visit the library, listen to the music, have some food, go on a
scavenger hunt, shop for yourself and others (Christmas is coming) to purchase some
unique gifts and items that are for sale in the gift shop. I guarantee Phil Roth will be giving a
most interesting presentation. Bring the kids to enjoy the crafts and activities. The PA Apple
Queen will be there to greet you.
Looking forward to seeing you November 19th at the National Apple Museum.
Thank you sincerely,
BHPS/National Apple Museum
Officers and Board members
154 W Hanover Street / P O Box 656
Biglerville, PA 17307
Phone – 717-677-4556
www.nationalapplemuseum.com
biglervillehps@gmail.com
