Pennsylvania's Birthday

The Daniel Boone Homestead Associates are excited to kick off their 2025 season with their annual Open House event – Pennsylvania’s Birthday. Formerly known as Charter Day, this event recognizes the day William Penn received his land grant for Pennsylvania from King Charles II of England in 1681. In observance of Pennsylvania’s founding, the Daniel Boone Homestead will offer an exciting open house and living history event featuring eighteenth century demonstrations, trades, and hands-on activities including the operation of the unique Bertolet Sawmill. Additional demonstrations include leatherworking, sewing, wool dyeing, gunsmithing, and blacksmithing. And back for their second year, we are so happy to have Stonehouse History joining us again, demonstrating tape loom weaving and traditional woodworking.

Visitors can tour the spring cellar and Boone House as they learn about the three families who lived there during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Other buildings in the historic area will also be open for viewing including the Smokehouse, Blacksmith Shop, and Homestead Barn. Throughout the historic area, visitors can learn about the skillful work of a blacksmith, the detailed work of a leatherworker, and the intricate work of a gunsmith. Visitors can also tour the three-room Bertolet Log House and enjoy colonial toys and games. Staff will be operating the Bertolet Sawmill at 1:00 and 3:00pm, and visitors are encouraged to watch this rare piece of machinery in action. The Sawmill is the oldest operating, water-powered, vertical blade sawmill in Pennsylvania and one of three in the United States. It was moved to the Homestead in 1972 from its original location in the Oley Valley.

No admission is charged for this program, but donations are welcome. Please no pets (except service animals) and no smoking on site. Several activities and demonstrations are weather dependent. Please visit our website or Facebook page for the most up-to-date details - www.thedanielboonehomestead.org and Daniel Boone Homestead on Facebook. This program is funded and presented by the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates.