LANCASTER, PA — The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) and Northern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce officially launched the 100th-anniversary celebration of the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state and local leaders. The event highlighted the museum’s enduring contributions to preserving Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage and its role as a cultural and educational landmark.
“PHMC is honored to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum,” said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. “This museum, born from the Landis brothers’ vision, has grown into a national treasure, offering invaluable insights into Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage. We are dedicated to supporting its continued growth and ensuring that its vital educational mission thrives for the next century.”
The museum has planned a range of events throughout 2025 to honor its centennial. Highlights include the popular Herb & Garden Faire on May 9-10, featuring over 70 plant vendors, live entertainment, and food; Lancaster’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, marking the museum’s debut in hosting this historic event; and the Landis Valley Summer Institute, offering hands-on courses on flax cultivation in June and July. Other events, including Civil War Days and Harvest Days, will continue throughout the year.
The Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, located in Lancaster County, traces its history to the early 1900s when George and Henry Landis established it to preserve Pennsylvania German agricultural life and traditions. Over the last century, it has grown into the largest museum dedicated to Pennsylvania German culture in the nation. The museum features more than 75,000 artifacts, historic buildings, and working farmsteads that vividly bring rural life from 1740 to 1940 to the forefront.
“Agriculture is the foundation of Pennsylvania’s economy and culture,” said PA Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Lisa Graybeal. “Institutions like Landis Valley Museum are vivid reminders of the innovations and ingenuity of the Pennsylvania farm families who have fed all of our families for centuries.”
Shawn Gladden, the museum’s Site Administrator, emphasized the museum’s significance as a regional asset, adding, “Since 1925, the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum has been preserving the important history of agriculture not just here in Lancaster County but across America. The museum is a vital part of our region’s history and economy, drawing visitors from near and far.”
The attendees of the ceremony, including officials from the PHMC, the Department of Agriculture, and the Northern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, underscored the museum’s economic and historical importance to local communities.
“The sheer impact of 100 years of education, preservation, and outreach cannot be overstated,” said Liz Ackerman, Executive Director of the Northern Lancaster Chamber of Commerce.
Looking ahead, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum aims to continue its mission as a center for cultural and historical education. Through its centennial celebrations and ongoing programming, it reinforces the critical role agriculture plays in Pennsylvania’s economy and identity while inspiring future generations to appreciate and preserve its legacy.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.