The museum began as a private collection gathered by brothers Henry and George Landis in their family home starting in the 1920s.
It is the only museum in the United States specifically focused on the Pennsylvania German cultural history.
The collection includes rare examples of Pennsylvania German fractur, a highly decorated style of folk art.
The village includes a functioning 19th-century inn that served as a stagecoach stop.
The site hosts a significant collection of original Conestoga wagons, which were developed in the Lancaster region.
Heritage livestock kept on-site include breeds that were commonly used by 18th-century settlers.
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum is a living history museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the heritage of Pennsylvania German culture from the 18th to the mid-20th century. Spanning over 100 acres, the site features a collection of original historic buildings, including log houses, a schoolhouse, and a gun shop, relocated to create a period-accurate village atmosphere. The museum houses a vast collection of over 100,000 artifacts, including antique farm equipment, Conestoga wagons, and folk art. Traditional craft demonstrations, such as blacksmithing and open-hearth cooking, occur regularly throughout the grounds. The farm portion of the museum utilizes heirloom crop varieties and heritage breeds of livestock to reflect agricultural practices of the past. It serves as an official historic site of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
The village square featuring the historic hotel and the iconic log structures.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the site is expansive and features unpaved paths.
Check the museum's event calendar for specific craft demonstration days to see artisans in action.
Bring a portable umbrella or rain gear, as many of the exhibits and walkways are outdoors.
Attempting to rush through the entire grounds; the experience relies on walking between distant, scattered buildings.
Often closed on Mondays and Tuesdays; operates on a seasonal schedule with limited hours during mid-winter months.
Respect all historic structures and do not touch artifacts unless invited by a guide; wear modest, comfortable attire suitable for a working farm environment.
