Explore Lancaster County's Past, Present and Future Through Its Museums
A great place to explore the history, art and culture of Pennsylvania’s rural Lancaster County is at the many enlightening and inspiring museums that showcase our area's rich heritage. From local art and the Amish community to natural science, trains and Lancaster history, each museum offers up its own unique perspective on what it means to be part of this vibrant community. During your next stay with us at After Eight Bed and Breakfast, be sure to make time in your schedule for some fascinating museum visits — the perfect activity for the curious traveler!
Lancaster County museums offer insight into every aspect of the culture in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Here are a few of our favorites to get you started.
LancasterHistory │ 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, PA
Dedicated to preserving and showcasing Lancaster County's 300-year history, LancasterHistory features exhibits, interactive displays and educational programs that highlight the contributions and experiences of famous residents, like President James Buchanan and abolitionist Thaddeus Stevens, as well as ordinary Americans who shaped the local communities from the colonial era to the present day. The museum also offers tours of Wheatland, President Buchanan's beloved home.
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum │ 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA
At the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, visitors can tour the museum's historic buildings, view artifacts, see demonstrations of traditional crafts and skills, and learn about the everyday lives of early German settlers in Lancaster County. This living history museum has a working farm, which includes livestock, crops and other agricultural activities, and offers hands-on workshops in blacksmithing, cooking and crafting.
North Museum │ 400 College Ave., Lancaster, PA
The North Museum of Nature and Science boasts a wide array of interactive exhibits, including live animals, specimen displays and hands-on science demonstrations. Visitors can explore the world of natural sciences through 500 million years of history – from geology and paleontology to biology and astronomy. Plus, the North Museum is home to Pennsylvania's largest planetarium, where you can explore the cosmos from the night sky above Lancaster to the farthest reaches of the Milky Way.
Demuth Museum │ 120 E. King St., Lancaster, PA
The Demuth Museum celebrates the life and work of Charles Demuth, a 20th-century American artist and Lancaster native who was a leading figure in the American modernist movement. The museum's permanent collection contains 55 works from throughout Demuth's career. Visitors can explore Demuth's unique style and learn about his life and the cultural and historical context in which he worked. The museum also features rotating exhibitions and programs, making it a great destination for art lovers.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania │ 300 Gap Road, Strasburg, PA
With more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars on display, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg is a big draw for train buffs and history lovers alike. Its collections tell the story of the role rail transportation played in the building and shaping of our nation. In addition to its vast collection of locomotives, passenger cars and freight cars, the museum showcases a multitude of artifacts related to all aspects of railroading such as bridges, switches, signals and other equipment used by railroad workers throughout the years.
These museums offer a fun and educational way to spend a day during your next stay with us at After Eight Bed and Breakfast and are a great way to learn about the region's history, art, science, railroads and people of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Want more museums to explore? Check out this list from Discover Lancaster.
