Pennsylvania has a long history with apples and the many delicious products made with them. Americans have enjoyed the fruit for centuries, making dumplings, pies and butter after colonists brought apple seeds from Europe in the 16th century. Once a hardy staple of early settlers' diets, apple products now serve as popular delicacies that are typically enjoyed in the fall.

This year, the East Petersburg Historical Society (EPHS) will celebrate the arrival of autumn and its appley treats with its first Apple Fest on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Daniel Wolf Museum, 1905 State St., East Petersburg. The free community event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it will feature a variety of apple-themed activities and refreshments.

Activities will include apple beanbag toss, apple bobbing and various stations for kids to make crafts to bring home. Refreshments such as apple fritters, apple pie, apple dumplings and hot dogs will be available to purchase, and EPHS will sell fresh, pasteurized apple cider made with an antique apple cider press. EPHS members will also hold cider-making demonstrations with the press, and small, unpasteurized samples will be offered to guests free of charge.

The antique apple cider press is part of the museum's collection of historically significant items. The contraption dates to the 19th century, and it was donated to the museum by the father of EPHS president Samuel Maurer IV. The press originally belonged to Samuel's grandfather. "The press has been in my family for more than 80 years," Samuel said. "We're cleaning it up right now to have it out in the backyard for Apple Fest." The idea of hosting a new apple-themed event was suggested by Amber Maurer, a recent addition to the EPHS board and Samuel's daughter-in-law. "We'll use the press to show how it's done and offer free samples; that way people can taste what we're making," Samuel added.

The Daniel Wolf Museum will be open for self-guided tours during Apple Fest. Visitors may browse the museum's various displays and artifacts from the surrounding area, including photographs of the town in the 1940s and a replica of a wooden pump that would have been used at East Petersburg's common well. The museum also houses a display that offers a chronological history of East Petersburg from its founding to today. The display, created by a Boy Scout in BSA Troop 33 for his Eagle Scout project, incorporates original street maps from the 1800s and photographs of buildings that have since been torn down.

In addition to its special events, EPHS holds regular programs. It will host a guest speaker event at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, at the East Petersburg Community Center, 6051 Pine St., East Petersburg. Former coaches of the East Petersburg Bulldogs football team will discuss the history of the program, which was active from the 1940s until the early 2000s.

For more information about EPHS and its events, visit https://eastpetehistory.org.