WAYNESBORO, Pa. – Renfrew Museum and Park welcomed the community for its annual Opening Day celebration on Saturday, April 18, marking the start of its 2026 season with a full slate of living history activities and free admission.
Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event drew families and history enthusiasts for a day of interactive demonstrations, historic interpretation and educational exhibits across the park’s grounds.
Visitors experienced a range of hands-on activities highlighting early American life, including open hearth cooking in the summer kitchen, textile work demonstrations and traditional toys and games. Interpreters in period clothing guided guests through daily life at Renfrew, offering insight into how past residents lived, worked and spent their leisure time.
Several historic structures were open and staffed throughout the day, including the Fahnestock House, where guests toured the first floor and kitchen level, and the Royer House museum. Additional exhibits focused on “Medicine at Home” in the Fahnestock kitchen and historic gardening practices in the Pennsylvania German four-square garden.
A highlight of the event was a preview of the Renfrew Mill project, which remains under construction. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the mill’s historical significance and its role in the site’s agricultural and industrial past.
The event also featured a display of antique farm machinery and demonstrations at the lime kiln and former tannery site, located in the lower level of the smokehouse.
Organizers said Opening Day serves as the park’s first major event of the year and sets the tone for a season focused on education, preservation and community engagement.
Renfrew Museum and Park will continue to host programs and events throughout the year, offering visitors opportunities to explore the region’s heritage through immersive, hands-on experiences.
