More than 225 barn lovers braved the morning drizzle on Saturday, Sept. 21 to participate in HGAC’s 2024 Historic Barns Tour of Gettysburg and Adams County. They were rewarded with a sunny afternoon — perfect for visiting the six barns on the tour schedule.
The tour began at the historic 1914 Round Barn at 298 Cashtown Road in Biglerville. After checking in and receiving a tour booklet and map, participants could tour the Round Barn and shop at the farmer’s market inside before taking off to visit the other barns on the tour which included:
- The Ditzler Barn at 154 West Hanover Street in Biglerville, home to the National Apple Museum and the Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society. Ben Wenk of Ploughman Cider provided refreshments and HGAC Preservation Specialist David Maclay and other HGAC volunteers demonstrated timber framing tools.
- The Entwhistle Barn at 1260 Table Rock Road in Gettysburg. Stable Hollow Construction crews were working on the barn, and Adams County ASPCA volunteers were on hand to talk about their mission
- The Schroeder Farm Barn at 965 Pumping Station Road in Gettysburg. Visitors could watch an old-time baseball game using 1864 rules between the Gettysburg Generals and the Elkton Eclipse, while munching on peanuts donated by Mister Ed’s. Civil War re-enactors were also on site, including a medical surgeon and the 82nd Pennsylvania Infantry rifle company.
- The Daniel Lady Farm on Hanover Road in Gettysburg. Musician Christina Shrewsbury entertained visitors with stories and songs about how the battle of Gettysburg impacted the citizens of the town. The barn also featured a demonstration of chair caning by Ed Coughenour and a display of Civil War firearms by HGAC member Doug Cooke. HGAC’s Architectural Salvage Warehouse at the farm was also open for visitors.
- The Manor of Maske Barn at 1635 Goldenville Road in Gettysburg. Art works by the Foothill Artists and local artist bobbi becker were on display in the barn. Seamstress Jackie Greer worked a Civil War era sewing machine and the Panera Tatters demonstrated the (almost) lost art of tatting and lacemaking. Visitors could help themselves to pit beef sandwiches by 7 Sky Farm and apples from the Rice Fruit Company.
HGAC thanks all its sponsors, barn owners, artists, reenactors and volunteers for helping make the tour a success! Proceeds from the tour benefit the HGAC Barn Preservation Project and Grant Program, which provides funds to barn owners to make needed repairs.
Featured image caption: HGAC volunteers and organizers of the Barn Tour greeted participants at the tour check in – from left to right – Robert McIlhenny, Ruthmary McIlhenny and Curt Musselman, chair of HGAC’s Preservation Committee.
