© 2006-2012 Renfrew Museum and Park. All Rights Reserved.

Renfrew became a public museum and park in 1975 through the generosity of its last private owner, Emma Geiser Nicodemus, and her sister, Hazel Geiser.  In her will Emma Nicodemus specified that her house and the surrounding 107-acres, willed to the Borough of Waynesboro, be made into a museum and parkland.

Mrs. Nicodemus wanted the facility to be called Renfrew in remembrance of two young sisters by that name.  According to local legend, the girls met their demise in 1764 on what is now Park property.

More than a quarter of a century after its creation, Renfrew has grown by leaps and bounds.  Research and restoration have expanded the scope of the site to include a Visitors Center in the Victorian period barn, several restored outbuildings which include the smokehouse, milkhouse, and the Fahnestock farmstead with its barn and house.

We have designated all the important Royer farmstead sites with bronze markers set in field stone. More information on all the buildings and interpreted areas is available with a free brochure during regular operational hours in our Visitor Center. Not to be missed is a display of farming and tannery tools, and the John Bell pottery permanent exhibit also in the Visitor Center.

About Us

Renfrew Mission Statement

The mission of Renfrew Museum and Park is to serve the community of Waynesboro and the surrounding region as a cultural and natural resource.

Museum's Purpose

1. Display Emma Geiser Nicodemus' collection of decorative arts within a pre-1870's domestic setting; exhibit and interpret the country's leading public collection of John Bell and Bell family pottery; preserve and enhance these collections through the acquisition of objects relevant to their interpretation.

2.  Develop and interpret the Royer Pennsylvania German Farmstead- preserve, restore, develop, research, and interpret the Pennsylvania German farmstead built by Daniel Royer and his family during the period from the 1790's to the 1830's extant on Renfrew's 107 acres; furnish and complete this farmstead with artifacts from the Nicodemus collection; acquire additional objects of the period to enhance the multiple facets of history addressed by the farmstead interpretation.