LEARN ABOUT OUR AREA’S RICH HISTORY
Spend a historic day touring the Lebanon Valley. From gothic architecture to one of the oldest transportation tunnels in the U.S. to the renowned Cornwall iron furnace, there are many sites to see. Lebanon County has a rich history and beautiful architecture to show for it. When you visit the Lebanon Valley, you will find Victorian Gothic style buildings and original 18th century colonial buildings that tell a unique story.
Download our self-guided Downtown Lebanon architecture tour and the History & Heritage Itinerary for your visit.
TOP 5 TO TRY: HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE
Alexander Schaeffer House and Farm
Schaefferstown, PA - The Alexander Schaeffer Farm dates back to the early 1700s and is home to the Alexander Schaeffer House, a National Historic Landmark noted for its blend of domestic and manufacturing spaces, reflecting mid-18th century German immigrant practices.
Chestnut Street Log House
Lebanon, PA - Explore the historic Chestnut Street Log House, a beautifully restored 1772 log house offers a glimpse into colonial life and is a must-visit for history enthusiasts.
Cornwall Iron Furnace
Cornwall, PA – It is difficult to imagine that this quiet cluster of beautiful buildings nestled in the rolling hills of Lebanon County was once the home of a fire-breathing blast furnace with an insatiable appetite for rocks and wood!
Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery
Annville, PA - This national cemetery is one of the largest in the U.S Dept. of Veterans' Affairs. Within the cemetery sits the elaborate Pennsylvania Veterans’ Memorial, dedicated in 2001 to all those who have served, are serving, and will serve.
Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center
Annville, PA - Fort Indiantown Gap was dedicated in 1941 and has repeatedly been one of the busiest National Guard Training Centers in the U.S. Visit to see static displays and learn more about the National Guard and the Gap's significant role in our country's military history.
Gretna Theatre
Mt. Gretna, PA - This historic theater is one of America's oldest summer theatres and has been operating at the Mount Gretna Playhouse since 1927.
Harper’s Tavern
Annville, PA - Harper’s Tavern offers casual dining with a touch of history to great food for an unmatched combination.
Historic Schaefferstown
Schaefferstown, PA - Explore Historic Schaefferstown, a charming village rich in history with the Brendle Museum, the Alexander Schaeffer Farm, and the Rex-Gemberling House. Discover PA Dutch culture with their well-preserved 18th-century buildings, cultural landmarks, annual events, and scenic beauty.
Isaac Meier Homestead
Myerstown, PA – The Isaac Meier Homestead is a large limestone dwelling located along route 501 in Myerstown.Lebanon Farmers Market
Lebanon, PA - This original 1892 Farm Market Building is beautifully preserved and bustles with various vendors from seafood, sushi, and poultry to soft pretzels and homemade baked goods. Open Thursday through Saturday year round.
Light’s Fort
Lebanon, PA - Light's Fort, built in 1742 on the Quittapahilla Creek, is a historic landmark in Lebanon County. Originally part of a 274-acre tract, it has seen generations of the Light family, Revolutionary War service, and prosperous farming. Today, the site stands as a testament to Lebanon's rich heritage and community spirit.
Monroe Valley Chapel
Jonestown, PA - In the Monroe Valley near Lickdale, early settlers built a small, one-story fieldstone chapel between 1760 and 1800. Known as the Monroe Valley Chapel, this building was once the only place of worship in the four-mile-long Valley, and historical research about it is still ongoing.
Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society
Mount Gretna, PA - The Mount Gretna Area Historical Society preserves the heritage of Mount Gretna and surrounding areas, including Timber Hills, Stoberdale, and Cornwall. Explore the rich history of this unique region and discover books, cards, DVDs, and more.
PA National Guard Military Museum
Annville, PA – The Pennsylvania National Guard Military Museum showcases items and weapons from the Civil War to the Gulf War, as well as items that depict the history of the Pennsylvania National Guard and Fort Indiantown Gap.Seltzer’s Outlet Store & Museum
Palmyra, PA - Savor the taste of tradition with Seltzer's Bologna, crafting quality beef products in Lebanon County since 1902. Explore their outlet store, now a museum, to purchase original bologna, beef sticks, and jerky, while immersing yourself in the rich history of this iconic brand.
The Lebanon County Historical Society
Lebanon, PA - The Lebanon County Historical Society was organized in 1898 by a group of interested local citizens and amateur historians. Today, the LCHS is a place where residents and visitors alike can experience our history first-hand, as well as conduct their own historical research and have access to related gifts and souvenirs.
Union Canal Tunnel Park
Lebanon, PA - Situated on 109 acres of meadows and woods, you will find the oldest existing transportation tunnel in the U.S - The Union Canal. The Tunnel was completed in 1827 and today is a treasured National Historic Landmark.
LEBANON COUNTY AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE TRAIL
The Lebanon County African American Heritage Trail offers you and your family a guide to exhibits and historic sites in our county that are related to Black History. With some of these sites traced back to the 1700’s there is lots to see, read, and learn about the people and places that helped to shape this area of Pennsylvania.
The Blue Eyed Six
It was July of 1878.
It all began in a hotel room in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, where four men met to hatch a plan of murder.
The men took several life insurance policies out on an impoverished neighbor Joseph Raber, and declared they were planning to take care of Raber for the rest of his life and cover his burial expenses upon his death. The policies totaled $8,000. In reality, the men intended to kill Raber and collect the policy payout for themselves.
The paperwork was signed and soon after, the four men hired two assassins to drown Raber in the Indiantown Run. The coroner declared Raber’s death an accident, and his remains were laid to rest in the Moonshine United Zion Church cemetery.
The men almost got away with it, until the son-in-law of one of the original conspirators came forward to police and the men were arrested in connection with Raber’s death. In an unprecedented court decision, all six men – the four conspirators plus the two assassins – were tried together. This, along with the fact that each suspect had blue eyes, led the newspapers to refer to the men as the Blue Eyed Six. All six were found guilty of murder in April 1879, though one of the conspirators, George Zechman, was later granted a second trail and acquitted due to lack of evidence against him. The remaining five were sentenced to death by hanging. The executions of the attackers occurred at the county prison. Today, the county prison’s original location is the beautifully restored Farmers Market in the center of town.
“A Park in the Woods”
The Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society gives you an in-depth history of “A Park in the Woods”. Learn about this area’s rich culture, deep past, and fascinating facts as you experience a virtual tour of the historical society museum. For more information about Mt. Gretna, click here.
