Exhibits & Collections
This online presentation highlights wedding clothing from a past temporary exhibition. These pieces are no longer on display. Many of the items are from the collection of Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum and other area museums and institutions. All of the items are from this geographic region, across the 19th and 20th Centuries. Photographs, documents, and clothing illustrate changing fashions and traditions. The items highlight the period of 1840 to 1918. It’s more than just wedding dresses! You may be amazed and surprised at what you see. It’s all part of the fascinating story of south-central PA and German community life and traditions.
This online presentation from a past temporary exhibition represents part of one of the most extensive collections of modern and historic redware shown in one place. These pieces are no longer on display. Includes pieces from Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum’s extensive collection plus pieces from over a dozen other sources.
See what makes this exhibit so fabulousThis online exhibit tells an amazing American story of overcoming immense obstacles through ingenuity and intelligence to become an ingenious inventor. Having grown up in a rural Pennsylvania family that came out of slavery, William Chester Ruth learned blacksmithing and mechanics to become an inventor of agricultural equipment and devices that made the business of farming easier and more profitable. During WWII, he also invented multiple top-secret devices for the military. In all, he held over 50 patents.
You will be inspired by this unique story.
Click to see for yourselfThis online database is a work in progress and features a sampling of items from various state-owned museums and historic sites, including Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum.
If you have objects that you would like to donate to Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum, please contact the Museum Curator Jennifer Royer at jeroyer@pa.gov. Please provide photographs and provenance. The museum will not accept unsolicited donations mailed or dropped off at the museum. All donation offers are reviewed by Jennifer Royer. Appropriate artifacts will proceed through the PHMC acquisition process, which can take up to two months. Accepted items have a strong Pennsylvania German link, are in good condition, and do not duplicate the museum’s current collection. All offers are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will never provide an appraisal.
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