Biglerville Historical & Preservation Society
AMERICA 250 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Your gift today preserves local history for future generations!
As we step into our fourth decade of preserving and presenting the history and artifacts of our thriving Northern Adams County Communities, we invite you to renew or begin your membership!
A yearly membership will run through November of 2027 and will immediately help your society to accomplish this summer’s needed museum renovations, and of course receive your membership benefits of rentals by donation and gift-shop discounts.
We are now in the process of restoring our 1857 museum-barn’s eastern and southern wall, as well as the roof’s ridge cap and overall integrity. To do this we must raise matching funds (an estimated $45,000) to protect the museum’s valuable artifact displays generations to come.
Please consider beginning or renewing your $25 annual membership or becoming a life-time member for $100. Additional donations will be celebrated at our fall annual meeting and in our newsletter.
Your support has done so much! Here are just a few examples of recent improvements brought about through the generous donations of members like you:
- 1st floor cement upgraded to durable epoxy floors
- East 1st story siding restored to resemble original corn crib
- South wall framed and sheathed and ready for cedar siding
- Pavilion renovated to be rentable in more seasons
- Kitchen and property electrical service completely updated
We ask for your support in the form of a tax-deductible donation made out to BHPS (P. O. Box 656, 154 W. Hanover St., Biglerville, PA, 17307). You can easily contact us through biglervillehps@gmail.com or 717-677-4556.
Thank you for your vision and generosity!
Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society (BHPS)
P.O. Box 656, 154 W. Hanover St. • Biglerville, PA, 17307
Museum Improvements Our Members Have Made Possible
- Barn inspected and additional interior supports added
- Museum second floor improved with new carpeting
- Museum artifacts digitally cataloged, labeled, and displayed
- Research library organized
- First floor cement replaced with commercial epoxy floors
- Bathrooms improved
- New outside door installed
- Gift shop shelving and display area updated
- Barn roof reinforced
- Spouting replaced to avoid run-off and wall moisture
- East wall rotted insulation replaced with superior insulation
- East wall framed and protected with plywood sheathing
- East 1st story siding restored to resemble original corn crib
- South wall framed and sheathed, ready for cedar siding
- Interior & exterior electrical service checked and improved
- New landscaping with dwarf apple and flowering trees
- Blacktop resealed and lined
- Dying trees removed and fencing improved
- Memory garden installed along with two new benches
- Pavilion got a new roof, siding, spouting,& window sealing
- Pavilion got wall & ceiling insulation, rafter vents and fans
- Pavilion tables resurfaced and garage door fixed
- Office cleaned & repainted with donated computer & desk
- Office air conditioner installed
- Kitchen got a donated oven, cupboards, & stainless table
- Museum website and phone system completely updated
- BHPS Society added a podcast, blogs, videos to website
- Digital archives added to permanently preserve archives
Additional Outreach!
- Have hosted the Blossom Festival for five years
- Partnered with Ploughman’s Cider for Friday Night Concerts
- Joined Destination Gettysburg and the Chamber of Commerce to bring more visitors to area
- Increased rentals to go to our $25,000 operating expenses
- Increased our number of volunteers
Scots-Irish settlers established farms in the Biglerville area before 1740, followed later by German families, which stimulated agriculture practices. Railroads accelerated fresh fruit shipping after 1880 and fruit processing after 1900. Today, the area is one of the most intensive fruit regions in the country with nationally-known processors and a variety of support industries.
The Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society, a non-profit organization, has done research on pioneer families, land settlements and genealogy. In April 1990 the Society opened The National Apple Museum to honor the founders of the Apple Industry.
Part of our mission is to preserve artifacts and information about the industry and local growers, agricultural groups and organizations throughout Adams County and Pennsylvania. Please join us by joining our membership!
“Although it is just a short drive from the Carlisle and Gettysburg Pike exits of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a trip to Adams County is a trip back in time with quaint villages and festivals that recall America’s agricultural past. In Adams County apples are everywhere. In fact more than five million bushels of America’s favorite fruit are harvested in this one county alone. Everywhere you turn somebody is harvesting, selling — or eating apples!
It should come as no surprise that the National Apple Museum can be found in Biglerville, Adams County. There are gallery displays, videos, guided tours and, of course, plenty of apples to eat at the National Apple Museum. There is an historic country store and quilt display. You can even find entertainment in the form of the Apple Core Band and the National Apple Museum Dance Band.”
—Lowman S. Henry in “Fall Harvest Beckons Travelers to Adams County.”
