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1010 E Main Street |
Renfrew is a restored farmstead with many outbuildings to see and activities to participate in. Your tour begins at the Visitors Center which features the nation's leading collection of John Bell and Bell family pottery. Paid admission takes you on a guided tour of Renfrew Museum where you will see the kitchen, dining room, parlors and bedrooms with period furnishings throughout. As an historical institution, Renfrew offers its visitors an intimate view of the past. Visit Renfrew and discover how the agriculture, industry and domestic life of nearly 200 years ago worked together to make a prosperous Pennsylvania German farmstead.~~~~~~ A special feature of the Renfrew Museum is the only permanent public display of artifacts from the Snow Hill Cloister, a 19th century monastical society located in nearby Quincy, Pennsylvania.
Hours Tue.-Fri: Noon-4 p.m.; Sat. & Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; Last tour at 3:30 p.m.~~~~Grounds are open year round from dawn to dusk. CHOICES OF TOURS: Come, step back in time, and enjoy a visit to a friendly place. House tour: A tour of an 1812 stone Pennsylvania German home begins in the kitchen with an open hearth and all that pertains to an old country kitchen. The remainder of the house is thoroughly furnished with period pieces as would befit a wealthy landowner. Exquisite antique furniture, textiles, collections, and paintings add up to a rich tour experience. (This tour includes stairs between two floors.) Allow 1 hour-fee $4.00 Outbuildings tour: We like to take people into three of our farmstead buildings, all of which were constructed about 200 years ago. Inside each one, we can point out construction techniques of stone, log, and timber-frame. Also, these old buildings had interesting functions. Come learn about a bank barn, a smokehouse, and a milchhouse! We also walk past the ruins of a gristmill. We have legends and legacies to share! (This tour involves about ½ mile of walking.) Allow 1 hour-fee $4.00. Half-day combination - House, outbuildings, and a craft: This combination has the purpose of serving a larger group, which could be divided into three smaller groups. Two would be served by the above tours, while the third would be actively engaged in a craft, such as Scherensnitte (intricate PA Dutch papercutting) or Tin-piercing. Either choice will provide members of your tour to take a nice project to take home with them. Allow 3 hours-fee $15.00, including materials. Time for lunch… or supper? Let us help you with meal options too. In partnership with a local restaurant – Mountain Gate Family Restaurant – we can offer discounts that are most reasonable. Mountain Gate is within a mile of our museum. They are familiar with tour groups and can accommodate your groups either at their restaurant, which serves either by menu or buffet. They can also cater to you here at our large picnic pavilion. Catered meals come with a variety of menus. Call us to set up a tasty meal or a pleasant picnic for your group! And, take time in our Visitor Center to see over 150 pieces of John Bell Pottery and collections of 19th Century tools. Browse our Gift Store with many unique choices. Wander along our Nature Trails, which follow and branch away from the East Branch, Antietam Creek as it courses through our 107 acres, including natural forests. Amber around our cultivated grounds and gardens, finding a restful spot or photographic opportunity. We have public restrooms (handicapped access) and parking that provides easy access for tour busses. To reserve your trip or to answer questions, call or email: Bob North, Visitor Services. Check out our website: www.renfrewmuseum.org (717) 762 – 4723 ext. 202 e-mail: renfrew@innernet.net
Season Open mid-April to mid-October
Other A gift shop is located in the Visitor Center and offers an interesting array of items, many from local artisans. Gift shop hours during the season are the same as museum hours. Off-season hours are Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.