Renfrew Museum and Park

#OnSaleNow! Looking for something fun to do with the family at home this holiday season? Pick up pre-packaged take-and-make Christmas Craft Kits from Renfrew! Each kit contains supplies to create a historically-inspired holiday craft. Choose from three (3) different options or purchase our craft bundle for just $10! Available while supplies last. Each purchase supports the mission of Renfrew Museum and Park.

Have a beautiful Sunday, everyone!

It's #NationalPoinsettiaDay! Today we celebrate the iconic plant that has become synonymous with the holiday season and the man who introduced it to the United States. Joel Roberts Poinsett (3/2/1779-12/12/1851) was an American physician and diplomat who served as the first U.S. minister to Mexico and co-founder of the National Institute for the Promotion of Science and the Useful Arts, a predecessor of the Smithsonian Institution. Poinsett brought the native plant "flor de l...a noche buena" back from Mexico in 1824, which was renamed the "poinsettia" in his honor. Poinsett had a long public career serving as Minister to Mexico under Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, Secretary of War under Martin Van Bureau, and as US Representative for the State of South Carolina. National Poinsettia Day is observed on December 12, the day of Poinsett's death. While the poinsettia is now widely recognized as the "official" flower of Christmas, it wasn't until the 1920s that the plant started taking root in American culture. Californian farmer Paul Ecke is credited with discovering a grafting technique that caused the seedlings to branch. Initially selling his father's Christmas flower at a roadside stands, son Paul Ecke Jr. later advanced sales of the poinsettia through shipping and marketing.

#EndofanEra Renfrew Museum and Park's beloved maintenance staff member, John Curfman, concluded his final season with us today. On behalf of our board, staff, volunteers, members, and all who had the pleasure of interacting with John at the park we want to thank him for his faithful service to Renfrew. Please join us in wishing him the very best as he begins his full retirement by posting a comment below. Thank you, John!

We are so fortunate to be in such a historic preservation-minded county! Read on to learn about Franklin County's efforts to preserve its architectural heritage and consider supporting our ongoing preservation efforts here at Renfrew Museum and Park. https://www.renfrewmuseum.org/donate/

#ThrowbackThursday Today we're throwing it back to the 1990s with this great photo of Renfrew's Supervisor of Building and Grounds, John Frantz, as the #Belsnickel! #PennsylvaniaGerman #folktraditions #historichouse #christmasonthefarm #renfrew #explorefranklincountypa

What better way to spread holiday cheer than by enjoying a little bit of Renfrew Museum and Park? Our individually wrapped iced Rooster sugar cookies are available now through Thursday December 17th in the Renfrew gift shop. Each cookie includes a card telling the story of Renfrew's mascot, the John Bell Rooster. Whether you've loved Renfrew for years, or want to introduce this special place to someone new, a rooster sugar cookie is a sweet reminder of everyone's favorite farmstead. Cookies are $3 each or $30 for a boxed dozen. Pick up yours exclusively at our gift shop, open weekdays from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Each purchase supports the mission of Renfrew Museum and Park.