OLD DRY ROAD FARM
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Restoration and preservation of these historic properties is funded through membership dues and donations. In order to continue our educational programs and preserve this Berks County historic treasure we reach out to our community to please consider supporting Old Dry Road Farm.
SUPPORT: Please consider a donation to our Preservation Fund or a membership in Old Dry Road Farm, Inc. Send a check payable to Old Dry Road Farm. Mail to PO Box 163, Wernersville PA 19565. THANKYOU!
Spring 2026 School Program
Local schools continue to take an annual field trip to Old Dry Road Farm. Students have a great time learning how to make candles, food, and learning how families lived on a homestead in the past.
Blacksmiths Day - August 2, 2026
PABA "Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmiths Association" held their Annual Blacksmith Day at Old Dry Road Farm on August 2, 2026. It was very well-attended.
Here PABA member Mary helps a young man learn some new skills.
The Colonial Garden
The Colonial Garden is offered as one of several school program experiences for local elementary school children.
Spring session includes a lesson on the importance of vegetable and herb gardens during colonial times. Our visiting school classes have the opportunity to sow vegetable seeds such as onions, carrots, beans, and squash.
Our volunteers maintain the garden throughout the season.
Berks County Master Gardeners maintain the Herb Garden Border.
Essig House Facelift
2024
The exterior of the Essig House on Highland Road has been gradually deteriorating. The original log structure was badly in need of a lot of work and materials.
Our community of Old Dry Road Farm members, volunteers and friends have lent support in preparing the south side of the building for this improvement.
Membership dues, donations and fundraising provided the funding for this maintenance and restoration project..
Highland Road Improvement
The cost of this project was $1,571.00, which is a comparatively large bill for the farm's maintenance budget.
Please consider making a donation to help defray the cost to this project, which benefits all the users of the Highland Road. Visit our website, www.dryroadfarm.org, for information about how to make a donation. Thanks!
The Historic Speicher: Roof Replacement
January 2023 - Mountain View Building of Bernville removed the old roof on January 13th and with 5 workers, installed the new roof on the 14th. This was just before the day of the 2023 ice storm, which would have prevented bringing the equipment down Highland Road.
The completed work cost us $10,673. Some of the stringers on the spring house roof were in bad shape but we were able to find lumber in our storage area to use instead of having to buy material.