Historic Schaefferstown Inc. works to preserve, protect and educate other about the rich PA German heritage of Schaefferstown and Heidelberg Township. Visit the Alexander Schaeffer Farm, The Gemberling- Rex House and The Brendle Museum to learn about life in the 18th century. THREE MUSEUMS. ONE HISTORY. Explore Schaefferstown's PA German heritage through these three unique sites. Thomas Brendle Museum Alexander Schaeffer farm Gemberling - REX House Take a step back in time and visit our Museum. Named for a local resident and leader in the preservation of PA German folklore, the museum displays cultural artifacts from the region. The museum has many archives, photos, and historical treasures. Our staff also creates specific displays and plans Historical Speaker Events throughout the year. The Gemberling-Rex House is on the National Register of Historic Homes. This 18th-century tavern once served travelers and villagers. Original features include a bar cage and Franklin fireplace. The Rex House just underwent a major restoration thanks to an anonymous donor. The roof was recently restored and replaced with authentic wooden shingles. This 18th century house, a National Historic Landmark, is located on a scenic 85-acre farm south of the village of Schaefferstown. The site hosts living history cultural events and educational tours. The house once belonged to Alexander Schaeffer, founder of Schaefferstown. At one time, the house had a distillery in its basement. THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS: Their generous support helps Historic Schaeffferstown preserve our historic sites and bring history to life. VIEW ALL OUR SPONSORS

HSI Speaker Series & Special Events 2026 March 15 - Cornwall Furnace During the American Revolution - Mike Weber April 12 - A Spirited People - PA German Whiskey Distilling - Bradley Smith May 3 - The Heritage of Angling - Ken Reinard aka “Ye Olde Colonial Angler” Click on THIS LINK to see more details about each speaker. All Speaker series events take place at 2:00 PM in the lower level of the Brendle Museum. 111 N. Market Street, Schaefferstown, PA. Special Opportunity: Silent Auction

Membership BECOME A MEMBER You can help ensure that we continue to preserve our historic sites and unique culture. Your membership, support and donations allow us to provide events, workshops, manage restoration projects and move to honor our history, Take advantage of these valuable benefits Become a Part of History. Join now. Volunteer. MEMBERSHIP $25 Single Membership $35 Family Membership (includes spouse and family) To join, please DOWNLOAD AND PRINT THE MEMBERSHIP FORM and use the square link for payment or send a check to: Historic Schaefferstown, Inc. 111 North Market Street PO Box 307 Schaefferstown, PA 17088 If you wish to make an additional donation or sponsor a special project, please add the amount to your dues payment and include a note detailing your intentions. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Free admission to: HSI Fairs hosted at the Schaeffer Farm All HSI Museums during regular business hours Free subscription to: Aus Em Schteddel newsletter (4x a year) Historic Schaefferstown Journal (1 edition per year) Click on the button below to access form. Membership Form Scan here to join via our Square Link: Y our Financial Support is Vital Our heritage-based Mission requires plenty of volunteers and financial support. We are a 501(c)(3) educational, non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law. Make your check payable to Historic Schaefferstown, Inc. and mail it to PO Box 307, Schaefferstown, PA 17088. Our staff will acknowledge your financial donation with a special thank you letter returned to you for your records. We sincerely appreciate your vital contribution.

HSI Photo Gallery Pictures say more than words. Please take a look at the photos taken by our members, visitors, and artisans.

Forms, Registration, and Sign-Ups This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Membership Click on the box to download a membership form. You will need to mail it back to HSI, or take a screen shot of the completed form and email it to: info@hsimuseum.org Click Here Artisan and Demonstrator Application This section is for prospective and returning Artisans and Demonstrators. If you are a RETURNING artisan or demonstrator, please complete and return with your check. If you are a NEW artisan or demonstrator, please return the form and you will be notified regarding your status within 10 days after we receive it. Please note the discounts that are available to vendors this year. If you are having difficulty downloading the file, you can call our Office Manager, Jenny at 1.717.949.2244 or email her directly at: info@hsimuseum.org Click Here Vendor Form Please contact us at historicschaefferstowninc@gmail.com and we will send you an application. VENDORS are not the same as our Artisans. Vendors are selling a non-craft item. Click Here Young Villager Registration Please see our information about Young Villagers in the Classes and Workshops page. There are a variety of ways to sign up for this Workshop. Thank you. The forms on this page can be downloaded and completed. You will need to mail them along with a check to HSI. P.O. Box 307 Schaefferstown, PA 17088 Click Here

Workshops / Classes Explore a variety of workshops and classes offered throughout the year at Historic Schaefferstown. From traditional crafts to learn PA German, there is something for everyone to enjoy and learn from. COMING SOON! Registration Form

About Founded in 1966, HSI is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the culture and unique history of Schaefferstown and greater southeastern Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Mission Historic Schaefferstown, Inc.’s mission is the collection, preservation, study, and dissemination of the history and folk culture of the Pennsylvania Germans in South Central Pennsylvania, with particular focus on Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania. The organization provides information through educational programs for adults and children, tours of its buildings and collections, festivals and special events, and publications of research and promotional materials. Our Histor y Founded in 1966, Historic Schaefferstown, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the culture and unique history of Schaefferstown and greater southeastern Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania German and Swiss cultures which flourished here during the last few centuries are authentically presented among several historic sites – the Alexander Schaeffer House and Farm , the Thomas R. Brendle Museum , and the Gemberling-Rex House . Throughout the year, our sites host cultural events designed to educate in experiential, memorable ways. Our directors and volunteers work to restore, preserve and maintain our historic properties and museum collections. Our work is supported by charitable donations , public and private grants, event fees, member dues and volunteer services. Funding supports educational tours and events, restoration efforts, archaeological projects, our museum and properties, the Young Villagers Program, classes, workshops, and preservation of our unique history through various projects.

Donations and Sponsorship COMING SOON Download the Form THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS: Their generous support helps Historic Schaeffferstown preserve our historic sites and bring history to life. VIEW ALL OUR SPONSORS

The Brendle Museum, Publications & Special Projects 2026 Museum Hours: open Tuesdays and the first Sunday from 1 to 4 PM April through September. We will not be open on Easter. Saving Our Stories Oral History Project Saving Our Stories books are still on sale., Books can be purchased during regular museum hours - Tuesdays and the first Sunday of the mont (1 - 4PM. ) Cost is $10 plus tax. Both items can be purchased during Musuem Hours or stop by the HSI Office on the lower level of the Brendle Museum. Wednesday 9AM -1 PM America 250 Commemorative Pewter Mugs are also available for Purchase. Cost is $75 plus tax. This service flag was displayed in Schaefferstown during World War II. Made of cotton with wool applique numbers, the flag measures 95” by 60.” The large blue star and the number “220” stand for the men and women who served during the war; the small gold star and number “3” signify the three men who died in the conflict. For over 50 years, the flag hung on the south (interior) wall of the Brendle Museum, and over time it had become soiled, stretched out of shape, and suffered insect damage. Last year, thanks to a grant from the Lottwarrick Questers, HSI had the flag professionally conserved by Julia M. Brennan’s Textile Conservation Services, Washington, D.C. The process included vacuuming front and back, wet cleaning (three times) in non-ionic detergent, then repairing damaged sections and stabilizing the lose edges of the wool numbers. Once that work was completed, the HSI Board gave Brennan the go-ahead to professionally mount the flag. She and her team attached a 1.5 inch-white fabric border to the flag, and mounted it (hand-stitched on polyfelt) on a custom-made wooden stretcher, which was routed out to hold flush panels of polyethene coroplast. We are delighted to have our clean and bright flag back in Schaefferstown on display in the Brendle Museum! World War II Flag