History, Historic House, Historical Society

An Adams County Historical Society was organized in 1888 and continued in operation for almost one year. A second society was organized in 1934 and ceased to function when its president died two years later. The third and present society began meeting in 1939. A charter of incorporation was secured the following year. The county commissioners offered some space in the basement of the courthouse, which the officers used to create a library, archives, and museum. In 1959 the society entered into a 39-year lease of the oldest building on the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. Completed in 1832, this building was last used as a dormitory during the 1953-1954 year. The historical society occupied this building in 1961.

Historic House

Historic House, Park

In 1783, a block house was built by the U.S. Government as protection from the Indians. Adam Reburn was put in charge of the block house and it was called Reburn?s Station. In 1788, Reburn purchased the property that included 200 acres of land and made it his home. Later on, John J. Muse purchased the in the mid- 1800s. John J. Muse was an active politician from 1858 to 1859 and served as treasurer of Allegheny County and represented Allegheny County in the legislature. He built the colonial farmhouse and added the orchard, pine trees and gardens.

Historic House

Historic House

History, Historic House

Children's, Culture, History, Historic House, Natural History, Park, Science, Specialized

The museum opened on June 5, 2010, as a tribute to the thousands of men, women and families who have hiked and maintained the 2,189 mile long hiking trail that passes through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. Located in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Pennsylvania, the museum is conveniently near Carlisle, Gettysburg and Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.