Visit the 1719 Hans Herr House & Museum, the oldest homestead in Lancaster County, to stand in one of the oldest, still-standing Mennonite meetinghouses in the Western Hemisphere. The homestead is comprised of three Pennsylvania German farmhouses, along with several barns, outbuildings and a Native American longhouse. Through the extensive collections and artifacts, get a picture of what life was like in early Pennsylvania.
The Herr House was built in 1719 by Christian and Anna Herr. Together with the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, the Circle Legacy Center and members of the local Native American community, the museum organization created a replica longhouse on the grounds to honor the state’s indigenous people. In the longhouse exhibits study the story of the original Native American tribes who resided here, including Shenks Ferry, Conoy, Seneca and Mohawk.
View the 62-foot-long (19-meter) longhouse, furnished by contemporary Native American artisans. Learn about local Native American history from 1570 to 1770. The building’s architecture emulates original longhouses found throughout the Pennsylvania landscape, with construction of logs, saplings and tree bark.
To see the inside of the longhouse and Herr House, sign up for the guided tour. Your guide will share stories, experiences, artifacts and information about the traditional architecture in both settings.
In addition to touring the Herr House and longhouse, visitors can learn new skills by joining a folk-art class or hands-on blacksmithing class. Local Pennsylvania German and Native American artisans give lessons in their traditional crafts. In the blacksmithing class, tackle a beginner project and take home your own candlestick holder or hook rack.
Drive to the 1719 Herr House & Museum in about 10 minutes from downtown Lancaster. It is open from late April through late October on Fridays and Saturdays from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Guided tours are held periodically throughout the day. Check the website for admission rates and seasonal open hours.
