Old Bedford Village

Reading a living book and visiting the historical site is the ideal way to learn and understand the events of history.

In the summer of 2010, our family spent a day at Old Bedford Village in Bedford, PA. This living history village contains houses and old buildings moved to the site to replicate a colonial town. Interpreters demonstrate old time crafts and describe the life and times in an early mountain town.


We took a self guided tour through the village stopping at some of the shops to watch a potter, cooper and others at their work.

We were a little disappointed that not all the shops had a crafts-person available. There was no candlemaker, weaver, woodworker, or cobbler, for example. But I understand the lack of volunteers and budget cuts do not allow full staffing. I assume at the special events, more staff would be available. There was good displays at each shop even if there was no demonstrator present. We did like that we could move through the village at the pace of our children, loitering at the farm animals and speeding through areas of less interest.


Many special events are hosted through out the year. You can visit with Civil War generals, watch a pumpkin catapult or  enjoy the Wild West. School groups and homeschoolers can chose a craft such as pottery or tin punching to learn. But my favorite time to visit is at Christmas when the village is lit by luminaries and each cabin smells of fresh pine.

Check out the Old Bedford Village website for more information.