Years of exposure to the elements have taken a toll on the eastern wall of the National Apple Museum in Biglerville. Museum volunteers had worked to caulk gaps between the aging boards, but as volunteer Edy Sarnoff explained, “Then, the boards started to crumble.” It became clear that more substantial repairs were necessary to preserve the historic building for future generations.
In April 2025, the Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society (BHPS) received a $9,512.50 Historic Preservation matching grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, sponsored by the Gettysburg Chapter of DAR. The grant supports restoration of the museum’s eastern wall siding at the historic property located at 154 West Hanover Street. BHPS will match the grant through donations from the public, reflecting strong community support for safeguarding this local landmark. Oversight of the restoration is being provided by barn restoration specialist David Maclay, whose experience with historic structures helps ensure the work is done with care and authenticity.
The National Apple Museum highlights Biglerville’s rich apple-growing and processing heritage through exhibits, artifacts, tours, and special events. In addition to its museum displays, the site offers rental space, a gift shop, seasonal music and food, blogs, podcasts, and other programming that connects visitors to the region’s agricultural roots.
Adding a hands-on educational dimension to the project, students from the Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI) are contributing their skills to the restoration effort. Beginning in November 2025, students in ACTI’s Building Trades program started repairing and repainting the eastern exterior wall as part of a real-world learning experience. ACTI serves 11th- and 12th-grade students from Bermudian Springs, Conewago Valley, Gettysburg, Littlestown, and Fairfield school districts, offering career and technical training across a wide range of fields.
Under the supervision of Building Trades instructor David Snyder, senior-level students are preparing, repairing, and painting the wall to protect and improve the structure. The work is being carried out in partnership with David Maclay and Historic Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC). Snyder and Maclay have previously collaborated with ACTI students on preservation projects at historic sites such as the George Spangler Farm and Field Hospital in Gettysburg. During the Apple Museum project, students gained experience with techniques including rotted sill replacement—skills rarely taught in traditional classroom settings.
HGAC, founded in 1975 to coordinate historic preservation efforts across Adams County, sees the project as an opportunity to engage younger generations in the trades. Maclay noted the importance of passing on these skills, while HGAC colleague Greg Kaufmann emphasized that preservation work can offer meaningful, long-term career paths. “They aren’t just tearing things down,” he said. “They’re saving structures and preserving community landmarks.”
Museum volunteers have expressed appreciation for the students’ efforts, noting that the building’s upkeep depends heavily on volunteer labor and community partnerships. Work continues as weather and scheduling allow, with students traveling by bus to the site for afternoon work sessions. The improvements are already visible to passersby, and the wall preservation project is expected to be completed in spring 2026.
Funding for this project was made possible through the sponsorship of the Gettysburg Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
