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National Apple Museum

July 29, 2005

A Piece of History and a Slice of Apple

Many are familiar with the Civil War history that took place in Gettysburg, PA, including the famous battle of 1863 and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Millions of people come to this Adams County town each year to view the historical sites and learn more about the Civil War. And less than 10 miles north of this famous area resides another museum, the National Apple Museum in Biglersville, PA. The National Apple Museum, owned and operated by the Biglersville Historical and Preservation Society, was opened in 1990 and resides in a restored civil-war era barn. Its 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" and as well as collect and display other memorabilia of the history of the area. In a nutshell the museum contains many relics of years gone by, a time when much more work was done by hand instead of by modern machine.

On display at the museum are antique apple presses and peelers, sprayers, farm implements, ladders, and a complete 1880s kitchen. There are countless authentic fixtures, dry goods, advertising materials, clothing and medicines used on the orchard. There is even the original plaster cast farmer and horse used in the old Levi Strauss commercials, which was also the model for the logo on its clothing!

The musuem has a large collection of Antique Fruit Labels, a collection of antique "Apple-related postcards, and a collection of antique "Apple-related Sheet music"- many of which are on display. The museum library contains a large collection of CDs containing Oral Histories from Fruit Grower families and a number of other prominent business men and citizens in the area. Additionally, there is a very large collection of family genealogical histories, many dating back into the 1700s.

In addition to the museum there is a gift shop filled with many orchard related merchandise. Entertainment is provided in the form of the Apple Core Band and the National Apple Museum Dance Band. Add in some videos on the history of apples along with guided tours to explain how farmers used the tools of their trade, and you can spend an enjoyable few hours learning about another important part of America's history.

And what would an Apple Museum be without apples? Apple juice is a tasty treat provided to all guests of the museum. On your way to and from the museum make sure you stop at some of the "pick-your own" fruit growers in the county and grab some hand picked apples. Or, take the family out to one of the county's many grower-operated fruit and vegetable stands. A list containing most of the local orchards is on National Apple Museum's website, in the museum lobby, and on All About Apples' Pennsylvania orchard directory located at www.allaboutapples.com/orchard/pa.htm.

If you are lucky enough to be visiting the area in the spring, plan to see the Apple Blossom Festival during the first full weekend in May. Or if you are visiting during the first two weekends of October you can participate in the National Apple Harvest Festival. Both events take place just down the road from the museum, in Arendtsville, PA.

The National Apple Museum is open May through October, Saturdays 10am - 4pm and Sundays 1pm - 4pm. Group tours may be scheduled by appointment during the week or on weekends. Admission is $2 per adult, $1 for children and $1.75 for seniors.

For more information, call the museum or visit their website at www.nationalapplemuseum.com

National Apple Museum
154 W. Hanover Street
Biglersville, PA 17307-9442
(717) 677-4556

Article written by All About Apples staff member Scott Chaussee along with Bill Rivers of the National Apple Museum.