Travel back in time and enjoy this rare opportunity to visit inside seven historic barns near Gettysburg.
The Historic Gettysburg-Adams County Preservation Society (HGAC) presents the “Historic Barns Tour of Gettysburg and Adams County” on Saturday, September 18 from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Rain or Shine
Tour participants drive their cars to seven historic barns near Gettysburg
The Tour starts at the historic Round Barn near Cashtown where guests will receive a map showing the location of the barns featured on the Tour along with a booklet describing the barns and the various activities that will be offered at each barn. There will be animals to see and pet!
Check-in time to start the Tour is from 10:00 am until noon at the Round Barn.
Admission is $35 per adult in advance and $40 on the day of the Tour. Youth under age 18 are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. “We are hoping that parents and grandparents will bring their kids to see these great old barns. Photographers, bring your cameras!” said event chair, Bob McIlhenny.
After checking in and exploring the Round Barn and the market, guests can drive to the other six barns in any order and stay as long as they like. There will be a scavenger hunt called “Barn Quest” for middle-schooler’s to identify architectural details on Adams County barns.
Proceeds from this rain or shine event will benefit the award-winning HGAC Barn Preservation Project and Grant Program. Since 2015, HGAC has provided matching grant funding to owners of historic barns within Adams County to make needed repairs. In 2020 the HGAC Barn Preservation Project was selected by Preservation Pennsylvania to receive the “Henry A. Jordan Award” for outstanding historic preservation efforts at the local level.
Learn about these icons of Adams County’s vernacular architecture. All the barns on the Tour (other than the Round Barn) are of a construction style known as the Pennsylvania Barn. They all share two distinctive features: 1. there is an entrance to the second floor of the barn for wagons by means of a ramp or bank of built-up earth and 2. the front of the barn has a cantilevered forebay that is an extension of the upper floor that overhangs and shelters the entrance to the livestock stables on the lower level.
Each barn on this unique tour will feature activities that are fun and educational. The Rice Fruit Company will be offering several varieties of their locally grown apples for tasting and eating. There will be a timber framing demonstration and fresh pressed apple juice to taste. Other activities will include plein air artists at work, and demonstrations of tatting and lace making by the Panera Tatters and of quilt making. Living historians will discuss mid-19th century Quaker culture in Upper Adams County and their work to help freedom seekers. There will be a horseback riding demonstration and explanations of Civil War era medical practices by living historians at the George Spangler Farm through the courtesy of the Gettysburg Foundation. Local cider producers, Ploughman Cider and Good Intent Cider will offer cider tastings. Special guest, Chloe Plesic of CP Rabbitry will be on hand to charm everyone with her blue ribbon-winning rabbits.
To purchase registrations for the “Historic Barns Tour” by credit card or personal check, visit the HGAC website at www.HGAConline.org
Pre-tour registration ends Sept.11. Event Sponsorships are also available on line.
Registrations will be available on the day of the Tour for $40 per adult. Cash or check preferred.
For additional information, contact event chair, Bob Mcilhenny at (717) 420-6500 or RMcilhenny@comcast.net
After the Barn Tour, participants, volunteer event staff, barn owners and friends are invited to an informal happy hour “Gathering” at the Thirsty Farmer located just across the road from the Historic Round Barn.