Landis Valley Museum
Encyclopedia
Landis Valley Museum is a nationally significant living history
museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
, USA. It collects, conserves, exhibits, and interprets Pennsylvania German material, culture, history and heritage from 1740 through 1940. The museum was founded by the Landis brothers--Henry K. Landis
and George Landis.
As living history, this museum is particularly interesting, because of the many inventions developed in the Lancaster area. For instance, because this was the birthplace of the Conestoga Wagon
(and the stogie cigar), visitors see how wagons were made, including the critical process of making spoked wheels). Because this is where the Pennsylvania Longrifle
(aka Kentucky Longrifle) originated, visitors see how gunsmiths of the 18th century manufactured rifle barrels.
The features of the museum include:
Living history
Living history is an activity that incorporates historical tools, activities and dress into an interactive presentation that seeks to give observers and participants a sense of stepping back in time. Although it does not necessarily seek to reenact a specific event in history, living history is...
museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, USA. It collects, conserves, exhibits, and interprets Pennsylvania German material, culture, history and heritage from 1740 through 1940. The museum was founded by the Landis brothers--Henry K. Landis
Henry K. Landis
Henry Kinzer Landis was an editor, photographer, collector, and founder of the Landis Valley Museum in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania....
and George Landis.
As living history, this museum is particularly interesting, because of the many inventions developed in the Lancaster area. For instance, because this was the birthplace of the Conestoga Wagon
Conestoga wagon
The Conestoga wagon is a heavy, broad-wheeled covered wagon that was used extensively during the late 18th century and the 19th century in the United States and sometimes in Canada as well. It was large enough to transport loads up to 8 tons , and was drawn by horses, mules or oxen...
(and the stogie cigar), visitors see how wagons were made, including the critical process of making spoked wheels). Because this is where the Pennsylvania Longrifle
Long rifle
The American longrifle , better known as the Kentucky rifle was described best by Captain John G. W. Dillin in the dedication to his seminal 1924 book, The Kentucky Rifle:...
(aka Kentucky Longrifle) originated, visitors see how gunsmiths of the 18th century manufactured rifle barrels.
The features of the museum include:
| * Visitor Center | * Landis House & Stable |
| * Print Shop and Leatherworking Shop | * Pottery Shop |
| * Log Farm | * Yellow Barn |
| * Brick Farmstead | * Erisman House |
| * Blacksmith Shop | * Tavern |
| * Transportation Building | * Gun Exhibit |
| * Landis Valley House Hotel | * Conestoga Wagon Shed |
| * Maple Grove School | * Farm Implement Shed |
| * Steam Engine Building | * Textile Processes & Garden |
| * Country Store | * Isaac Landis House, Barn & Feed Mill |
| * Firehouse | * Tin Shop |
| * Weathervane Store |