This is a wonderful educational opportunity for those who are interested in the founders of our great country. The museum has recreated four distinctly different farms (English, Scotch/Irish, German, and American).
The Scotch/Irish farm boasts a genuine thatch roof and stucco/stone walls. It is from the Ulster area of Northern Ireland (County Tyrone) and is a replica of an early 18th century Irish farmstead. It also has an 18th century blacksmith shop attached to the farm.
The German farm is a replica of a peasant farm from the Rhineland area of Germany during the first half of the 18th century. It consists of a farmhouse and a large double barn. There is also a working well on the property to show how water was obtained. The interior of the house has dirt or wooden floors. There is a main floor and a sleeping area in the "attic/loft" area.
The English farm is still under reconstruction. It actually consists of buildings from two different sites, dating back to the early 16th century. The farmhouse is completed and open and came from Worcestershire area and dates back to 1630. There are three other outbuildings that are still being completed. There is an 18th century cowshed that has already been completed.
The American farm consists of 11 original buildings which once comprised an early 19th century Shenandoah farmstead. The American farm shows how the other three cultures (English, German, Scotch/Irish) all came together in settling the Shenandoah Valley and created the American Farm.
Interpreters are on the property to illustrate the lifestyles and patterns of the various families inhabiting the farms in each respective time period.