Historic Schaefferstown Inc

About Historic Schaefferstown Inc

Historic Schaefferstown Inc operates three interconnected museums that document Pennsylvania German heritage in Schaefferstown and southeastern Lebanon County. Visitors explore the Thomas R. Brendle Museum, which displays cultural artifacts, archives, photographs, and historical treasures related to PA German folklore, along with rotating exhibits and historical speaker events throughout the year. The Gemberling-Rex House, a National Register property built as an 18th-century tavern, features original details including a bar cage and Franklin fireplace, recently restored with an authentic wooden shingle roof. The Alexander Schaeffer House and Farm, a National Historic Landmark on an 85-acre property, preserves the home of Schaefferstown's founder and once contained a basement distillery; the site hosts living history cultural events and educational tours. The organization, founded in 1966 as a nonprofit, presents Pennsylvania German and Swiss cultures through experiential programs and guided tours. A visit suits anyone interested in regional heritage and 18th-century domestic life.