Time Travel to the 18th Century-Old Bedford Village, Pennsylvania

The Bedford Village takes you back to a simpler time in the 1800’s. The village includes over 38 houses and other structures that have been collected and donated around Bedford County which were build around the 1800’s with a few exceptions.

Each house has a story to tell about the people that lived in it, the people that worked in it, the work that was done in the house, and/or the people that lived on the land.

Check out the Schedules of Events that they have each year such as meet the Union Generals, Wild West Weekend, Pupkinfest, and one that I might go back for Candlelit Christmas!

For the 2020 Season, the village will be following rules to prevent the spread of Covid19 such as limiting only 25 guest at a time in the village, only one family at a time in a house, adjusted hours for cleaning, and more. This is a very safe place to go with all the items that they have in place to prevent the spread.

Also, to start the trip into the village is one of thirteen covered bridges in Bedford County to make a full day of social distancing tourism. Bedford County also has several other items to visit with great social distancing including walking tours, H&BT rail trails, driving tours with obscure Civil War history, Shawnee State Park, canoe and kayak on the Raystown Branch of the Junitata River.

Sample of the Houses

The first house has a second story and a great double fireplace that should not be missed. The Biddle House was donated by the Harry Biddle family and was built in 1762.

The village church is actually a reconstructed church which was inspired by a church in Bedford County which was used during the frontier days. This church is available to be rented for weddings and other events.

The wishing well is next to the church which is one of my favorite items in the village.

But my favorite is the Shoop House which was build in 1790. The Shoop’s House is a museum of Native American artifacts that houses items found in the actually Old Bedford Village. As the village was being build, a Native American village was found below the surface.

The Native American village has between 50 to 75 homes and dated back to 1250 A.D. The collection of arrowheads is very impressive. Also, the story of “Indian Eve”. In 1777, Eve and two of her children were kidnapped by Native Americans during a raid and then sold to British soldiers at Fort Detroit. She work for nine years to purchase a pony and supplies to return home.

Eve and her two boys returned to Bedford County and were reunited with her four other boys that had not been kidnapped during the Native Raid. Eve died in 1815 in Dutch Corner in Bedford County. Not only was she amazing in her ability to survive but many of the citizens of Bedford County are direct descendant of her as her six boys married and had many children who had many children.

Of course, every village has a tavern with an upstairs area for travelers to stay.

The house next door has the history of Bedford County during the Whiskey Rebellion, the history of distilling, a list of the distillers about the time of the village, and other items that are really cool.

The above is a round church and school house. The second school in the village.

Beware of this horse!!! She stands at the window to be feed and does not allow you to see the little mini horse behind her because she wants all the food. So, I throw some food to the mini horse and she snorted on me for it. I had a snot on dress for the day! It funny now but not so much at the time. lol

The village also includes a general store, bakery, jail, printing press, broom making house, and so many more buildings.

A place to leave teenagers who are not listening…

Plus an outhouse!!!!!!! It was a fun way to spend half a day. Bring your lunch and have a picnic.