The Historic Ephrata Cloister will again welcome visitors beginning on Friday, April 30, with reduced hours of operation and limited capacity continuing during the initial phase of reopening. Adjustments to operations at the historic site have been made to provide a safe environment for visitors, volunteers, and staff. Visitors can explore the remains of this unique American community on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Limited capacity tours of the main historic buildings will be offered by appointment only. To schedule a tour, call 717-733-6600.

Face coverings will be required of all visitors, volunteers, and staff inside all the site's structures, and social distancing will be observed throughout the property. Everyone is asked to begin their visit by washing their hands, and hand sanitizer will be available at the site. A regular schedule of cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces, including sales counters and restrooms, will be followed throughout the day. No events, group gatherings, or large group tours are scheduled for the near future as volunteers and staff continue to make modifications to daily operations during the early period of business after reopening.

During the year that this historic site has been closed, many visitors have enjoyed walking the historic ground at no cost. Beginning April 30, admission to the grounds and historic buildings will again be charged during open hours for access to the site for touring and photography, just as had been the case before the closure. Access to the historic site is always free to current members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates, the nonprofit group that supports the activities and operates the museum store at Ephrata Cloister. The museum store will also be open when the site is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The Virtual Ephrata Academy programs, held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., will continue, along with virtual school programs. Virtual Homeschool Days are scheduled for Sunday, May 16. Details about these programs, information about becoming a member of the Ephrata Cloister Associates, and updates on reopening can be found at http://www.EphrataCloister.org.

Historic Ephrata Cloister is one of the sites on the Pennsylvania Trails of History administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with support from the Ephrata Cloister Associates.