Program Developer – Becky Hughes We’re happy to welcome Rebecca Hughes as our new part-time program developer. Becky comes to us with a wealth of experience in historical museum leadership. She’s worked at the Daniel Boone Homestead and for Berks County Parks Department. Othermuseum and community history work took Becky to Hopewell Furnace National Historic […]
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Please enjoy this virtual tour of the Historic Dreibelbis Farm property! Farm House The brick farm house on the property was constructed by Joel Dreibelbis in 1868 to replace the original log cabin. The front porch of the house consists of a semicircular arch on the front and Gothic style pointed arches on the two
Welcome to the Dreibelbis Farm! (Video 1) An introduction to the Dreibelbis Farm property by volunteer Ned Dresher. Cold Cellar (Video 2) An in depth look at the cold cellar of the farmhouse by Mark Dreibelbis, President of DFHS. Diorama (Video 3) Attic (Video 4) Music on the Farm (Video 5) Farmhouse Garden (Video 6)
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In addition to preserving the historic aspects of the property, DFHS is committed to conserving and enhancing the environmental resources at the site. Wood duck nesting boxes have been constructed along the Maiden Creek, which runs along the property, to provide additional nesting habitat for wood ducks. Each year in late winter, the old nesting
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Each year in May, we host a Wildflower Walk on the farm grounds. Led by botanist Dr. Frank Muzopappa, the walk explores the impressive variety of native plants growing on the preserved farm property.
Our annual winter event is a demonstration of ice harvesting. Before refrigeration, cutting blocks of ice in winter and preserving them in an ice house was the only means of keeping things cold in warmer months. When we’re lucky, the farm’s ice pond is frozen so we can actually showcase 19th century tools cutting blocks
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The biggest event at the Dreibelbis Farm is the annual Historic Farm Festival, held every summer near the end of August. Re-enactors demonstrate skills and craftmanship required for life on a 19th century farm. Past festivals have included blacksmithing, butter churning, candle making, barrel making, weaving, beekeeping, children’s games, and more. Speakers and live music
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A big need at the Dreibelbis Farm has been restroom facilities to allow for events with larger crowds. Because there is currently no running water at the site, options for a cost-effective facility were limited. Under the direction of Mark Dreibelbis, volunteers worked to construct a new self-composting toilet facility. The design is both environmentally
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Thanks to the Miller brothers – Lester, Richard and Bob – who volunteered their time to give the Milk House some new lumber and a fresh coat of paint. Scroll down to see the surprising discovery they made within its walls!
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