The Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum

August 31, 2010 | Posted by: Leah

I’m the kind of person that is pretty easily occupied; I don’t need a lot of razzle dazzle to keep me entertained. However, even though I have lived in Lancaster for 20 years, and even though I knew there was a quilt and textile museum in the area, I never took the time to stop by for fear of, well…boredom.

Flash forward to me standing in front of the most beautiful, intricate piece of artwork I have ever seen with my mouth gaping open in amazement. What had me so entranced? A hand stitched, genuine Lancaster County quilt from the 1890’s made with the signature “Lancaster Diamond.” Not sure what I’m talking about? Then you need to go to The Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum.

One step into the museum at Market Square and I knew I was not going to be even a stitch bored. Just to see the building that houses the famous Espirt Quilts is worth the trip. The building was originally owned by the Lancaster Trust Company and functioned as the area’s bank; however, after going under in the Depression, the beautiful Beaux Arts style building was left empty for many years.

If coffered ceilings and arched windows don’t get your blood pumping with excitement, then the quilts and the stories behind them will. I couldn’t help but wonder about the Amish women that had put in so many hours, paying such close attention to detail to make these gorgeous quilts. What were their stories? What was life like for them? Thanks to the informative posters throughout the museum, I was able to find answers to many of my questions.

I learned that there is more to sewing a quilt than a couple of stitches and fabric swatches and that quilts represent so much more than just a blanket at the end of someone’s bed. I thought National Treasure was just an action movie with Nicholas Cage before I came to the museum, but it turns out there actually are items deemed National Treasures and we house at least six of them in Lancaster in the quilt museum.

Whether you go for the stunning architecture, the fascinating history lesson, or for the stunning quilts themselves, The Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum is a definite treat for all who visit.

For more information on the museum, visit www.quiltandtextilemuseum.com. While you’re there, stop by the Heritage Museum to learn even more about the rich history of Lancaster County.

Leave a Comment | Category: Amish, Downtown Lancaster, Things to Do | Permalink

Tags: Downtown, Downtown Lancaster, Hertiage Museum, Lancaster Quilt & Textile Museum, Museum, Quilts

Photo Friday: A beautiful farm in Lancaster County

August 20, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

1 Comment | Category: Amish, Outdoors | Permalink

Tags: Amish, Clothesline, Farm, Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, PA Dutch, padutchcountry

Red Rose Segway Tours

August 17, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

There’s a new way to tour Downtown Lancaster. The Segway. The first place I saw these was in the movies (I think) and I knew I wanted to ride one at some point. I got my chance. Red Rose Segway Tours opened up in Downtown Lancaster, and last October, I was able to take a ghost tour with guide Terri Stauffer. When we first got there, we got to do a little orientation inside – we practiced getting on and off of the Segway, going forward and stopping, turning, and then what seemed like it would be a little more difficult, going up and down a ramp and over a bumpy surface to simulate things that we would feel out on the streets of Lancaster.

After getting comfortable with the Segway indoors, we went outside and practiced in a parking lot just up the street for a few minutes, and then we were off. You get an earpiece so that you can hear the tour guide through the whole tour and she doesn’t have to shout from her Segway ahead of you!

We learned a lot about Lancaster, and it was super fun riding on the Segway. There are different tours that you can take, and they’re constantly coming up with new ones. We took the Ghosts & Graveyards tour (I would recommend it – you get to see a lot of the historical buildings in Lancaster, and learn a lot of fun facts). There’s also the Piano Tour (available while the Keys for the City is still going on), City Tour, Arts Tour, and a Mini-Glide.

If you’re nervous about going and aren’t sure whether you can do it or not, feel free to stop in at Red Rose Segway Tours at any time, and try it out for free! I promise you’ll have fun gliding around the city!

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Tags: Downtown Lancaster, Lancaster, Lancaster PA, PA Dutch Country, Red Rose Segway Tours, Segway, Tours

Festivals & Fairs in Lancaster County, PA

August 13, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

Late summer/early fall is a great time to be in Lancaster County, PA. We’ve got tons of arts festivals, harvest festivals, and fairs going on. See below for a sampling!

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
August 14-October 31
On Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day Monday; come see the event we’ve all been waiting for. You’ll be taken back to the 16th Century, Renaissance England. There will be hundreds of costumed characters, Renaissance merchants, and food from 23 Royal Kitchens. Enjoy music, dance, good food and beer – Renaissance style!

Sweet Corn Festival
August 28
Enjoy corn hole, corn crafts, corn eating contests, corn stalk creation contest, corn husking contest, corn shelling contest, pony rides, face painting, food, the Amazing Maize Maze and much more at the annual Sweet Corn Festival.

Long’s Park Arts & Crafts Festival
September 3-6
Experience one of America’s leading fine art & craft shows. The four-day long Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival showcases 200 top artists and craftspeople from across the US, Canada and beyond. The show juries applications from more than 1000 annually.

Fayette County Coal & Coke Heritage Music Festival
September 11
The 3rd annual festival will feature a variety of regional music groups, including The Clarks, the Chris Higbee Project, & Harold Betters. This multicultural & multigenerational event have something for people of all ages. In addition to music there will be dance, visual art displays, arts & crafts, and food.

Denver Fair
September 14-18
Join the Denver Fair in celebrating its 29th year with exciting rides, delicious food, local artwork and the chance to get up close and personal with Lancaster County’s finest livestock.

Southern Lancaster County Fair
September 15-17
Enjoy a great day at the Solanco Fair! Tons of food, fun, animals, contests, a parade and more! Don’t miss this – see website for details.

Tailgate Festival
September 17-18
The Village comes alive with a sports themed scarecrow competition, tailgating food demonstrations, pumpkin bowling, musical entertainment and more. Plus, you can enjoy a bevy of tailgating foods & entertaining tips. Dress in your favorite team gear!

Whoopie Pie Festival
September 18
Enjoy a whoopie pie treasure hunt, whoopie pie race, whoopie pie launch, checkers, whoopie yell off, whoopie pie eating contest, largest whoopie pie ever made, most creative whoopie pie and much more at this fantastic festival!

Ephrata Fair & Farm Show
September 21-24
The largest street fair in the State is here in Downtown Ephrata. Rides, carnival games, free entertainment, and old fashioned competitions, from the best pie to the cow, are here for 5 straight days. Wednesday 7pm is the annual street parade.

Potato Festival
September 25
Enjoy potato sack races, potato scramble, potato eating contest, potato slinger, potato crafts, magic show, face painting, pony rides, pick your pumpkin & ears of popcorn, special potato foods and much more! See website for complete details!

You can also find a detailed list of some Craft Shows on the Authentic Bed & Breakfasts of Lancaster County blog! (A great resource from 41 B&Bs in Lancaster!) And for more events in Lancaster County, see our full events calendar!

1 Comment | Category: Events, Festivals, Outdoors, Things to Do | Permalink

Tags: Dutch Country Roads, Fairs, Festivals, Lancaster County PA, PA Dutch Country

How to make pickles

August 12, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

The Amish are known for their skills in canning. My husband & I are growing cucumbers this year, and we planted 2 cucumber vines… little did we know that we’d be getting at least five cucumbers each week! So we were looking out for any recipes we could find that had cucumbers.

Of course, I had to try canning some to make pickles! Here is the recipe that we tried from a hand written Amish cookbook that we found.

Kosher Dill Pickles

Soak cucumbers in strong salt water overnight. In the morning, take out and rinse well with water.

1 qt. vinegar
1 c. salt
2 level tbls. prepared mustard (*we’re assuming mustard seeds)
1 1/2 heaping tbls. pickling spices
4 qts. water
3/4 c. sugar

Bring the above ingredients to a boil. Remove from heat. In bottom of each qt. jar put one sprig of green dill weed, 1 clove of garlic, and 2 or 3 slices of onion. Fill jars with pickles and put the same on top. Pour syrup over pickles. Put on lids. Cold pack just to the boiling point.

Keep these in the fridge, and they’ll keep for a year!

Share your favorite pickle recipes with me, and I’d be happy to try them out!

5 Comments | Category: Amish, Food | Permalink

Tags: Amish, Amish recipe, Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, PA Dutch, pickles, Recipe

Rainbow Dinner Theatre

August 9, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

Tomorrow starts a new show at the Rainbow Dinner Theatre, “America’s only all comedy theatre.” I may have said this before, but I’m not someone who just laughs out loud at things that I think are funny, such as tv shows or movies, but going to Rainbow makes me laugh out loud. My husband was surprised, because he often will look over at me when we’re watching things and say “Don’t you think that’s funny?,” and I’ll say, “Yes… I just don’t laugh out loud all the time, remember?”

Well, they’ve got a new show starting up tomorrow, and I’m excited to go see it because while I enjoy comedy, I really love mysteries. This show combines the two – it’s a Murder Mystery Comedy! It’s called The Busy Body.

Plot: When the office cleaning lady who knows everyone’s business discovers a dead body who isn’t really dead, it’s time to call 911. This is a mystery with plenty of twists & turns and one very worn out detective who is trying to straighten it all out. Amid laughter and thrills Mrs. Piper & Detective Baxter get to the bottom of the case. It’s sure to be a murder mystery comedy that would make Agatha Christie stand up and cheer!

So if you’re in town from tomorrow through October 31, I would highly recommend saving a night for the Rainbow Dinner Theatre. Their shows & food are spectacular.

4 Comments | Category: Things to Do, theatre | Permalink

Tags: comedy theatre, Dutch Country, Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, murder mystery, PA Dutch Country, Rainbow Dinner Theatre, Theater, theatre

Photo Friday: Lancaster County Farmland

August 6, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

This is what our farmland here in Lancaster County looks like each August – with the corn growing tall on the right side of the lane!

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Tags: corn, Farm, farmland, Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, PA Dutch Country

An afternoon out on the town in Lancaster County, PA

July 29, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

A friend at work shared this story with me, and I would like to share it with you!

Since my husband was out of town on Saturday I thought I’d treat my son to lunch out at one of our favorite lunch spots – Garfield’s at the Best Western Eden Resort. Lunch was great and the service, as always was superb! We had their crab cake and rib special – which was their two specialty items on one plate. No fillers in their crab at all and the ribs just fell off the bones.

My son said we should go to Waltz Vineyards since I had bragged about their wine to him and he never tasted it. I am generally not spontaneous, but how many times would I get to have a special time with my son (who forgot his blackberry – which made it even more special!) As we were driving by the vineyards he couldn’t believe how perfectly aligned they were and how pristine they appeared. He said they must have someone working 24/7 to keep them looking so perfect. The tasting was such a nice experience – and the owners, Kim and Jan are so hospitable, making you feel right at home in their beautiful tasting room which features local artist’s work.

It was nice to see a group of girlfriends gather outside at the picnic table with a bottle of wine – a young couple having lunch at the tables with their glass of wine – every age group seemed to be having a great time. Kim serves you a plate of local treats with your tasting – September Farm Cheese made in nearby Honey Brook (you have to try it!) as well as Wilbur chocolate and a local bread. We ended up purchasing some of their award winning wines. I know I can fill his Christmas stocking with a one stop visit to Waltz’s!

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Tags: Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, Local wine, PA Dutch Country, PA Manheim, Waltz Vineyards, wine

Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster County, PA

July 26, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

One of the most well known towns in Lancaster County is Bird-in-Hand. This is one of my favorite places to go shopping! The village was established in the 1700s, and at that time it served as a rest stop for travelers heading west. Inns were identified by painted signs since pictures could be understood by all travelers, no matter what their nationality or educational level was. The 18th century inn sign that inspired this town’s name literally depicted a man with a bird in his hand!

Some of my favorite places to go when I’m riding through Bird-in-Hand are Kauffman’s Fruit Farm & Market, where I can pick my own fruit, fresh! I love markets, so Bird-in-Hand Farmers Market is another stop that’s a must. I can get fresh fruit, great meats, kettle corn (one of my favorites), canned goods and other stuff. My husband & I love mini-golf, and one of our favorite courses in Lancaster is Water’s Edge – and they make a mean milk shake!

Have you been to Bird-in-Hand? Share your favorite stops!

2 Comments | Category: Shopping | Permalink

Tags: Bird-in-Hand, Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, PA Dutch, Shopping

Amish planting tobacco in PA Dutch Country!

July 20, 2010 | Posted by: Sarah

Do you see the two girls sitting on either side of the tractor? They are dropping the little green plants in the dirt to grow! I never knew that some of the plants are started out of the ground and then transplanted into the fields!

*Note: Thanks for letting me know it’s tobacco- I wasn’t sure what they were planting!

2 Comments | Category: Amish | Permalink

Tags: Amish, corn, farming, Lancaster County, Lancaster PA, PA Dutch Country