Duck Pond at Old Bedford Village

Old Bedford Village is not officially open in April, but it is available for special events and there was a muzzle-loading gun show on the Saturday that we were there. After a brief visit to the show to see the ornately-carved guns and some flint-knapping exhibits, we were able to tour the village. I was surprised to find most of the buildings open even though few staff members were around. Normally the village features lots of folks wearing historical costumes but they are are not present in the off-season. (No, nobody really lives there. The village is a re-creation; the buildings are brought in from elsewhere and reconstructed.)

Events at Old Bedford Village

A Glimpse of Old Bedford Village

Here is a quick look at Old Bedford Village in Pennsylvania. The video quality is shaky because I was using my digital camera with no tripod, and the camera is designed for good still images with the video capability just an added bonus.

Bedford is just off the Pennsylvania Turnpike and is west of Breezewood.

Location Map

Bridge at Old Bedford Village

Claycomb Covered Bridge

This bridge was moved to Old Bedford Village in 1975. In the upper left corner of this photo you can glimpse trucks traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Shaffer House, Bedford, PA

This is the reconstructed Shaffer house in Old Bedford Village. The original house was in Bedford Township. An 1813 deed called it a "log mansion," apparently because it was larger than many homes in the area.

Link: Bedford County Attractions

The Farmstead at Jackson's Mill

Conrad Cabin

West Virginia University acquired the Jackson's Mill property in 1921. Since Stonewall Jackson had lived there as a boy, the site was historically significant, even though the house had burned down in 1915. The white-painted grist mill from Jackson's time still stands beside the West Fork.

Other old buildings have been moved to the property to create a village of 19th-century structures.

Blaker's Mill

At times there are demonstrations of milling, weaving, spinning, basket making, candle dipping, wood working, and blacksmithing. Since the property is also home to a 4-H Youth Camp, young people have an opportunity to see how things were made 150 years ago. From From April through October, a general store is open Wednesday through Sunday. The complex reminds me of Old Bedford Village but not as large.

Jackson's Mill is near a small town called Jane Lew which is a short drive from Weston, WV. I recommend a visit if you are within a few hours of there. See the online directions.

McWhorter Cabin

See all my Jackson's Mill posts.

Church in Old Bedford Village

This is Christ Church, inspired by a church near Schellsburg, PA. It is sometimes rented out and can be seen on the village map as building 5.

We Were Tourists in Bedford

When we go to a tourist attraction like Old Bedford Village, we take plenty of photos. Sometimes we pose for a few, maybe even some silly ones. Doesn't everyone?

Truck or Minivan of Old Times

Bedford, Pennsylvania: Covered Wagon

I believe this is a Conestoga Wagon, so named after the Conestoga River and valley in Pennsylvania. We saw this at the Old Bedford Village.

Links: Wheels that Won the West

Conestoga Wagon, Wikipedia

Blacksmith Shop, Whitesmith Shop

Above: Blacksmith Shop

Below: Whitesmith Shop

Reproductions at Old Bedford Village

Note:
A whitesmith is someone who fashions tin into objects, although the dictionary says it can also be someone who polishes items made of iron. I imagine you already know what a blacksmith is.

Wishing Well

Tossing a coin in a wishing well may seem superstitious, but at times it may move you closer to your dreams. Why? Because verbalizing what you want is the first step toward setting a goal.

A Very Brief Video Taken at Old Bedford Village

Views with Windmill

Old Bedford Village, PA

Old-fashioned windmill seen from two directions.

Old Time Schools

There are two reconstructed schools at Old Bedford Village. The school room above may be very old-fashioned but it still has the atmosphere of classrooms I remember.

Left: The "Eight Square School." I really liked the octagon shape of this school house. Supposedly it was easier to heat than the more common rectangular room, and the windows let in plenty of light.