Summer Highlights Demos

Sauerkraut making was a cherished tradition on 1800s Pennsylvania German family farms, where freshly harvested cabbage was shredded, salted, and fermented in large crocks to preserve it through the winter. This nutritious staple provided a reliable source of food during the colder months and reflected the family's resourcefulness and strong cultural heritage.

Wheat weaving was a traditional folk craft practiced by many Pennsylvania German farm families in the 1800s. These handwoven pieces were often displayed in the home or given as gifts, reflecting both the agricultural heritage and skilled craftsmanship of rural Pennsylvania German communities.

On a 1800s Pennsylvania German family farm, blacksmithing was an essential trade that kept the farm running by forging and repairing horseshoes, wagon parts, tools, and household hardware. The family blacksmith combined practical skill with traditional craftsmanship, creating durable ironwork that supported both daily farm life and the surrounding rural community.

Join the Penn State Master Gardeners in our historical garden and learn about how vegetables and herbs were used on a 1800s family farm.

The one-room schoolhouse was the center of education for many children on 1800s Pennsylvania German family farms, where students of all ages learned together under the guidance of a single teacher. Beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic, the schoolhouse fostered a strong sense of community and prepared children with the knowledge and values needed for daily […]

Leather and horn work were valuable crafts on an 1800s Pennsylvania German family farm, transforming animal hides and horns into durable everyday items such as harnesses, belts, shoes, combs, buttons, and utensils. These practical skills helped families make full use of farm resources while producing handcrafted goods essential for daily life and work.

Rope and lace making were important traditional crafts on an 1800s Pennsylvania German family farm, producing sturdy rope for farm work and delicate lace for clothing and household linens. These handcrafts combined practicality and artistry, reflecting the family's self-sufficiency and the skilled techniques passed down through generations.