Lancaster County is home to the oldest Mennonite meetinghouse in the country, the residence of a U.S. President faced with the possibility of Civil War and the home of a Revolutionary War general. But there were lots of other fascinating people whose lives are explored at an array of historic homes throughout the county.
Boettcher House Museum
Built in 1920 by Henry Boettcher, house has been restored and includes a museum and 70-acre natural habitat with trails.
2369 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
(717) 290-7180
Fasig House
Old log cabin representative of the Manheim houses of the early 1800s. Early churches had their first meeting in this house.
33 E High St, Manheim, PA 17545
(717) 665-7989
Haldeman Mansion
Historic 14-room childhood home of scientist Samuel Haldeman. Guided tour of two buildings – the summer kitchen (built in 1740) and the mansion.
230 Locust Grove Rd, Bainbridge, PA 17502
(717) 426-3794
Hans Herr House and Lancaster Longhouse
Oldest Mennonite church in North America and Lancaster County’s oldest building, furnished as in the 18th century. Includes an outdoor complex with an agricultural museum. Also, The Lancaster Longhouse, a replica Native American multifamily home.
1849 Hans Herr Dr, Willow Street, PA 17584
(717) 464-4438
Herr Family Homestead
1852 homestead, with a brick farmhouse and post-and-beam barn, an herb garden and spring house, plus an exhibit of items from the 80-year life of Amos Herr .
1756 Nissley Rd, Landisville, PA 17538
(717) 898-8822
Johannes Mueller House
Preserved 1792 house contains early artifacts of the founding of this Moravian Community. Also herb and perennial gardens.
145 E Main St, Lititz, PA 17543
(717) 627-4636
President James Buchanan’s Wheatland
Preserved 19th-century home of James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States (1857-1861).
1120 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 392-4633
Robert Fulton Birthplace
House is restored and refurnished to the period of the inventor’s birth.
1932 Robert Fulton Hwy, Quarryville, PA 17566
(717) 548-2679
Rock Ford Plantation
Preserved Georgian-style home of Revolutionary War Gen. Edward Hand, with gardens.
881 Rockford Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602
(717) 392-7223
Sehner-Ellicott-Von Hess House
18th-century Georgian-style home of Andrew Ellicott. It now houses the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. Self-guided tour.
123 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17605
(717) 291-5861
Wright’s Ferry Mansion
Restored stone home built in 1738 for Quaker Susanna Wright, who helped establish colonial self-sufficiency.
38 S 2nd St, Columbia, PA 17512
(717) 684-4325
— Kathy Daminger