Landis Valley Children’s Educational Programs | Camps, Homeschool Classes & History Workshops
Enroll in Our Museum Camps!
Camp Ages 5-11
Celebrating our 100th Anniversary
Children’s Winter Camp
Christmas with the Landis Children
Saturday, December 20th 9:00-12:00 or 1:00-4:00 Ages 5-11
What was it like to celebrate Christmas as a child in the late 1800s? We will explore holiday activities that George, Henry, and Nettie Mae may have enjoyed in Lancaster, Pa.
Including:
>Sewing a cat stuffed animal. Based on a pattern from a previous exhibit, “Color My World.”
>Designing both Scherenschnitte and pin prick Christmas Cards.
>Creating Christmas ornaments, including mini paper lanterns and paper cornucopias.
Registration is limited to 20 campers per session. Registration is required.
Contact our education department for more informationInteractive Hands-On History
Every family loves finding creative, fun, and educational ways to entertain their children, and we have just the thing! Our coloring and activity sheets are FREE for you to download and enjoy. Click on the images to download a PDF, print as many as you’d like, and have fun coloring while exploring life in the past with your children.
Visit our Children’s Museum Today!
Landis Valley’s homeschool program is a great way to supplement your history lesson, with classes that meet the PA State & Homeschool Educational Standards. Held every Friday from February through mid-March, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the program consists of three individual classes, each with a different topic.
Field Trips
With room to roam, friendly staff, lots of farm animals, and interactive options like workshops and wagon rides, Landis Valley is the perfect location for your next field trip. Reservations are taken year-round. Due to their incredible popularity, we strongly suggest making your plans three (3) months in advance.
To make a reservation, please call us at 717-569-0401 ext. 228 or…
Contact Sheri Brown, Education CoordinatorLandis Valley School Workshops
The educational hands-on workshops at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum offer something for every student.
Workshops run 45 minutes and are available Wednesdays through Fridays during the spring and fall.
They may be scheduled at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, and 12:30. Workshops are geared to a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 32 students.
For more information or to make a reservation:
Please Contact Sheri Brown, Education CoordinatorOne-Room Schoolhouse
Send your class to school 1890’s style. Our authentic one-room Maple Grove schoolhouse was relocated from a local site. A schoolmarm in period costume will give your students lessons from the late 1800’s in subjects such as arithmetic, spelling, and reading. This workshop is geared to children in 2nd through 8th grades.
A Farm Child’s Sampler
This workshop allows students to explore the chores and activities that would have filled their lives in the early 1800’s. Students can try their hand at things such as flint and steel, quilting, roping a bed, and period toys and games. Recommended for grades 1 through 6.
Pennsylvania German Folk Art
Students are given the opportunity to learn about and explore one of two folk art traditions. Teachers may choose Fraktur or Reverse Glass Painting activities. This workshop is recommended for students in grades 4 through 12.
Scouts
Bring your pack or troop to Landis Valley for a great day of learning and fun that satisfies their adventure requirements at the same time. Choose from any of the following workshops or contact our Education Department to craft a workshop of your own:
From Wool to Weaving
Scouts will hear the story of wool processing, 1800’s style, from the sheep to fabric. They will then have an opportunity to try carding fresh wool, spinning wool into yarn, and weaving on a loom. Scouts can visit and learn about several types of sheep and will be given some wool and instructions to build their own drop spindle.
- Length of workshop: 45 minutes
- Number of scouts: 10-25
- Recommended for ages: 8-14
Pennsylvania German Folk Art
Scouts are given the opportunity to learn about and explore one of several folk art traditions. Leaders may choose Fraktur, Scherenschnitte (paper cutting), Reverse Glass Painting, or Folk Toy activities. Scouts will take home directions to complete other folk art pieces.
- Length of workshop: 90 minutes
- Number of scouts: 10-25
- Recommended for ages: 10-16
If you have a specific idea of a field trip that satisfies the requirements for your achievements
Please Contact Sheri Brown, Education Coordinator
Contact Us
America 250 Lecture Series 2026
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Celebrate the stories of America as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary with the America 250 Lecture Series at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum.
Beginning in May 2026, this engaging monthly series brings noted historians, scholars, and regional experts to Lancaster County to explore the people, culture, and events that shaped early America and our local heritage.
Held on the last Friday of each month (May–October), these programs are designed as a relaxed “Happy Hour” experience, offering:
- Engaging lectures by leading historians
- Light refreshments included
- Time for Q&A and discussion
- Opportunities to connect with fellow history enthusiasts
Admission
- FREE for Landis Valley Associates Members
- $10 General Admission (per lecture)
- All sales final – no refunds
Time
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
Virtual Access
All lectures will also be available to Landis Valley Associates members virtually, with the option to watch live or on-demand via a private link.
2026 Lecture Schedule
May 29, 2026
Patrick Donmoyer
Mountain Mary: Sainted Healer of the Oley Valley
Explore the life and legacy of the legendary Pennsylvania German folk healer known as “Mountain Mary,” examining the intersection of religion, healing traditions, and regional folklore.
June 26, 2026
Scott Mingus
The Underground Railroad in Lancaster County
A sweeping overview of the critical role Lancaster County and the Susquehanna River region played in the Underground Railroad, highlighting local networks, resistance, and the fight for freedom.
July 31, 2026
Philip Gruber
Farmer Revolts in America’s Early Republic
Following independence, American farmers continued to challenge authority in pursuit of economic justice. This talk explores uprisings such as the Whiskey Rebellion and their lasting impact on the young nation.
August 28, 2026
Dr. Scott Sheely
To Market, To Market: Lancaster County’s Role in America’s Food System
From cattle drives to railroads to trucking, this lecture traces the evolution of agricultural supply chains and Lancaster County’s long-standing role in feeding urban America.
September 25, 2026
Lynnette Miller
Fashion in 18th-Century Lancaster County
Discover how clothing reflected identity, status, and culture in early Lancaster County, with insights into materials, craftsmanship, and daily life in the 18th century.
October 30, 2026
William Woys Weaver
Foods of the Pennsylvania Dutch: 1700–2026 and Beyond
A richly illustrated journey through Pennsylvania Dutch foodways, tracing their evolution and influence on American cuisine, with a focus on cultural continuity and innovation.
November 18, 2026 (Wednesday)
John Kolar – Annual Meeting Keynote
Lancaster Gunsmiths of the Early Republic
Serving as a preview of Landis Valley’s upcoming major exhibition, this keynote explores the craftsmanship, artistry, and historical significance of Lancaster’s early gunsmiths.