National Apple Museum

07/23/2026

The South Mountain Fair is under way! What started in the early 1900’s as a joint summer picnic for the two Arendtsville Churches in Heiges’ Grove (as the fairground property was once known) soon grew into an opportunity for local businesses to highlight their products and crafters to show off their talents. For a complete history of the fair, visit their website.

The Archive Adventurers recently found these photos of fair displays in the late 1940’s by Sachs Apiary. As reported by the Harrisburg Patriot in July 1951, the business located just outside of Biglerville on Yellow Hill, was the second largest apiary in the state producing 30 tons of honey every year,

When you visit the fair this year, make sure you stop by the Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society booth and reserve a space on the Memory Quilt we are making to celebrate the USA 250th anniversary. For $2.50 your name will be memorialized on a quilt that will hang in the National Apple Museum.

07/21/2026

🍎They don't call Adams County "Apple Country USA" for nothing! 🍏

For generations, orchards have been at the heart of our local landscape and economy. Among them is El Vista Orchards, a family-owned business operated by the Benner family for more than a century.

This circa 1930 photograph shows workers in the orchard, offering a glimpse into the hard work and tradition that helped make Adams County one of the nation's premier apple-growing regions.

07/20/2026

Join us for the newest Delicious Appple Podcast in this 1991 interview of poultry and fruit farmers Glenn and Evelyn Kime and their son, Lynn Kime.
Please be sure to view our America 250 Adams County Founding Families VIDEO below in the comments, highlighting the Kime Family.

In the 1990's Donald Horst interviewed many farmers in Northern Adams County. Join him in this 1991 interview of poultry and fruit farmers Glenn and Evelyn Kime and their son, Lynn Kime.  You'll discover fascinating agricultural facts and loc...

07/14/2026

Talented artists participated in our Sunday Afternoon Paint fundraising event.

07/13/2026

CHECK THIS OUT!📣
We've just been featured on a new State DAR Podcast!

In this episode, we celebrate a great year of historic preservation...

07/06/2026

Current BHPS Membership & Those Seeking to become a member...

Dear Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society Member,
Thank you for the wonderful support you have given to the Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society (National Apple Museum)! Today I need to ask for your continued support as we step into our fourth decade of preserving and presenting the history and artifacts of our thriving Northern Adams County Communities.
By renewing your membership now, you will retain BHPS membership through November of 2027 and will immediately help your society to accomplish this summer’s needed museum renovations, and of course receive your membership benefits of rentals by donation and gift-shop discounts.
We are now in the process of restoring our 1857 museum-barn’s eastern and southern wall, and roof’s ridge cap and seams. To do this we must raise matching funds (an estimated $45,000) to protect the museum valuable artifact displays generations to come.

Please consider renewing your $25 annual membership or becoming a life-time member for $100. (Additional donations will be celebrated at our fall annual meeting and in our newsletter.)

Your support has done so much! Here are just a few examples of recent improvements brought about by members like you:
• 1st floor cement upgraded to durable epoxy floors
• East 1st story siding restored to resemble original corn crib
• South wall framed and sheathed, ready for cedar siding
• Pavilion renovated to be rentable in more seasons.
• Kitchen renovated all electrical service updates

We ask for your support in the form of a tax-deductible donation made out to BHPS (P. O. Box 656, 154 W. Hanover St., Biglerville, PA, 17307).

Thank you for your vision and generosity!

Edythe Sarnoff, BHPS President
Museum Improvements You Made Possible!
• Barn inspected and additional interior supports added
• Museum second floor improved with new carpeting
• Museum artifacts digitally cataloged, labeled, and displayed
• Research library organized
• First floor cement replaced with commercial epoxy floors
• Bathrooms improved
• New outside door installed
• Gift shop shelving and display area updated
• Barn roof reinforced
• Spouting replaced to avoid run-off and wall moisture
• East wall rotted insulation replaced with superior insulation
• East wall framed and protected with plywood sheathing
• East 1st story siding restored to resemble original corn crib
• South wall framed and sheathed, ready for cedar siding
• Interior & exterior electrical service checked and improved
• New landscaping with dwarf apple and flowering trees
• Blacktop resealed and lined
• Dying trees removed and fencing improved
• Memory garden installed along with two new benches
• Pavilion got a new roof, siding, spouting,& window sealing
• Pavilion got wall & ceiling insulation, rafter vents and fans
• Pavilion tables resurfaced and garage door fixed
• Office cleaned & repainted with donated computer & desk
• Office air conditioner installed
• Kitchen got a donated oven, cupboards, & stainless table
• Museum website and phone system completely updated
• BHPS Society added a podcast, blogs, videos to website
• Digital archives added to permanently preserve archives
Additional Outreach!
• Have hosted the Blossom Festival for five years
• Partnered with Ploughman’s Cider for Friday Night Concerts
• Joined Destination Gettysburg to bring more visitors to area
• Increased rentals to go to our $25,000 operating expenses
• Increased our number of volunteers
Thank you for your generosity!
Biglerville Historical and Preservation Society (BHPS), P.O. Box 656, 154 W. Hanover St., Biglerville, PA, 17307

07/04/2026

07/01/2026

JULY BHPS NEWSLETTER

06/26/2026

The National Apple Museum invites you to be a part of history and celebrate America 250 by signing our memory quilt during our
regular weekend hours:
Saturdays 10am-4pm and Sundays 1pm-4pm, leaving a lasting impression for years to come.