ADMISSION FEES
General Admission (ages 13-65): $12 per person
Seniors (age 65+):
$10 per person
Children (ages 3 to 12):
$6 per person
Children (ages 2 and under): Free
Minimum 10 and Maximum 60 participants
Program is approximately 90-minutes
Join Renfrew for an overview tour of our 300+ year history on the Royer Farmstead. Rooted in our Pennsylvania German heritage, Renfrew’s story is quintessentially American and closely mirrors the narrative of our young nation with central themes of industriousness, ingenuity, and innovation. By the close of the nineteenth century, the property boasted two successful farmsteads, a grist mill, lime kiln, and several outbuildings. Later occupants of the site placed their own marks on the landscape, resulting in a varied built environment with unique structures spanning the Federal to Edwardian Eras. Renfrew’s final private residents, Edgar and Emma Nicodemus, lovingly restored the property which was bequeathed to the Borough of Waynesboro as a gift to its citizens following Emma’s death in 1973.
Visitors will tour the 1812 Royer House, furnished with a host of decorative arts and residential artifacts spanning three centuries, visit several historic outbuildings (summer kitchen, milk house, and smoke house) where important everyday tasks took place, and view exhibit galleries inside our Visitors Center, a converted Victorian barn, featuring permanent displays of Bell Family historic pottery, Pennsylvania-Kentucky longrifles, and tradesmen’s tools. Visitors will be introduced to the people who lived and worked at Renfrew over the centuries, from the site’s earliest settlement in the 18th century, through the intense social and technological changes of the 19th century, to its restoration by our last private residents in the 20th century. Along the way, visitors will be inspired by authentic stories of hardworking and passionate people, just like them, who made their own lasting impact on this historic property.
Guided, pre-scheduled tours of the Royer Farmstead are available with our knowledgeable staff and docents Tuesday through Friday, from March through Mid-October. The scheduled portion of group visits, guided by museum staff, begin at 10:00AM and conclude at 11:30AM. Due to the nature of our historic buildings and structures group sizes are limited. Note that large groups will be divided during your tour.
*Note: If your group is affiliated with a chartered public/private school and/or district, formally organized homeschool consortium, day care, early childhood education center, nonprofit youth organization (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, church camp, etc.) please refer to Renfrew’s Field Trip/School Group Visit information and request form.
Please complete the Group Visit Request form below!
What to Expect During a Group Visit
Arrival and Parking: Arrival is 15 to 30 minutes prior to the tour start time (typically 10:00AM) for check-in with Renfrew Museum and Park staff. For groups of 30 or less, arriving in cars, vans, or short buses, please use the Upper Parking Lot near the Visitors Center off of Main Street/Buchanan Trail/PA-16. For large groups arriving in school or coach buses, please note that turn around is difficult in the Upper Lot and we require that you drop guests off at the Lions Club Pavilion located at the Lower Lot off of Welty Road.
Staff Welcome and Group Orientation: At 10:00AM, Renfrew staff will meet your group at the orientation area (pre-arranged and varies depending on drop off location) to welcome group guests, introduce them to the day’s activities, and assign their tour docent. Organizers will receive an itinerary packet prior to their visit. Following orientation, groups will be dismissed to their first station depending on their size.
Post-Tour Exploration and Lunch Facilities: Guests will have an opportunity to shop and explore trails prior to departing. If your group wishes to stay longer after their scheduled program has concluded, we invite and encourage your group to explore the historic 107-acre property on foot. Lunch is on your own, as Renfrew Museum and Park does not have food service available. Please leave lunches in your vehicle(s) until after your tour has concluded. If you choose to enjoy lunch at Renfrew, we encourage you to use the the picnic grounds area or the Pavilion (see map below). Please be aware that Renfrew is an active museum and park; other events and usage of the grounds will continue during your visit. There are also many local restaurants to choose from. If you require recommendations, we are happy to help.
Waste Disposal: Renfrew Museum & Park is a “carry-in/carry-out” facility. All trash, garbage, refuse, etc. generated by the group visit must be removed by the group as you depart. Any waste left by the group or disposed in inappropriate locations (i.e., dog waste stations, bathroom receptacles, in shrubs, behind or near buildings, etc.) may result in forfeiture of visiting as a group in the future. Please plan ahead for the proper removal of your waste and help maintain the natural beauty of Renfrew Museum and Park.
Booking, Payment, and Cancelation Policies
Booking and Payment Policy: To book a group visit your group must have a minimum of ten (10) people. The maximum number of group visit participants Renfrew can accommodate on a single day is sixty (60) people. Reservations must be made at least thirty (30) days in advance for groups of thirty (30) or less and sixty (60) days prior to your desired date for groups of thirty-one (31) to sixty (60) participants. Please be aware that Renfrew is a museum and park, other events and usage of the museum and grounds will continue during your visit. All requests are subject to Renfrew availability on a first come, first served basis. Renfrew Museum and Park reserves the right to deny any request. *Note: Renfrew cannot pencil in or otherwise complete a reservation until tender is exchanged. Your request form is not a confirmed reservation.
No reservation will be guaranteed until Renfrew Museum and Park staff have: (1) confirmed the date, (2) have received a signed contract, and (3) received a 50% deposit of total fees due to complete your reservation. Your reservation will be cancelled if the contract and deposit are not received by the due date listed on the contract. *Note: Renfrew accepts tender in the form of cash, check, debit, or credit card. Payment in full must be received at least seven (7) days prior to your visit date unless a prior arrangement is made and confirmed in writing by Renfrew Museum and Park staff. Once your date is booked, it may not be rescheduled without written agreement.
Cancellation Policy: Renfrew Museum and Park will only issue a refund of your down payment fee (50% of total) and/or final payment fee(s) already paid in the event that the group visit organizer cancels no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled event. Group visits at Renfrew Museum and Park take place rain or shine. Please plan and dress accordingly. No refunds will be issued for inclement weather, unless Renfrew Museum and Park Visitors Center has closed. Cancelled group visits may have their payments applied to a future date. If a group visit needs to be rescheduled, Renfrew staff will work with you to find a mutually acceptable date. Please contact us as soon as possible before your original scheduled visit date, however, we cannot guarantee that a new date will be available.
Please review Renfrew’s Tour Policy and Accessibility details here. There you will find answers regarding accessibility, handicapped parking, special accommodation, and restroom related questions.
Renfrew Museum and Park Facilities and Trail Maps
