Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum has a long and storied history of promoting a long and storied history. It's an unwavering commitment to the local community that warrants a celebration.

For an entire century, Landis Valley has been teaching about and preserving a time nearly 300 years ago.

"Henry and George Landis were brothers who were into collecting," said Terry Kreider, manager of the Landis Valley Associates. "In adulthood, they realized the culture they grew up in was disappearing. They started getting reputations, and people started showing up on their doorstep, so they figured they needed to open an official museum."

Located at 2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a 30-minute ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 4, at noon. The ceremony is designed for government officials, local dignitaries, members of the Northern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce and the museum's membership base, but the public is also welcome to attend.

The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum is owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which receives financial support from the Landis Valley Associates.

"Everyone's going to come together," said Kreider. "It's just like a big event to kick off that (100th) year. We have a couple events throughout the year. They're similar in that they celebrate an aspect of Pennsylvania German culture."

Landis Valley's yearlong celebration of its 100th anniversary will continue on Mother's Day weekend - Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10 - with its annual Herb and Garden Faire. On Thursday, June 19, Landis Valley will conduct its inaugural Juneteenth Celebration, followed by Civil War Days on Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20; Harvest Days on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12; and the annual Christmas Bonfire on Friday, Dec. 12.

"Having a connection to the past is very important," said Kreider. "Understanding where we came from in the past informs us of who we are today."

After the Landis brothers established Landis Valley as a public museum in 1925, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission took over operations of the village and farm property in 1952.

"When the brothers first started it, it was a preservation mission," said Kreider. "They did not marry. They did not have children. But they wanted to see it preserved. One brother died in 1953, and one died in 1954."

Over the years, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum has become a destination for visitors from the mid-Atlantic region and Lancaster County residents interested in local history. More than 35,000 individuals visit Landis Valley each year.

"I'm going to say it's mostly local people (who visit)," said Kreider. "It's for the curious. It's for people who want to actively learn about local history. The Amish are part of the story, but not the whole story."

Landis Valley, which counts more than 175,000 historic items - some dating as far back as the 1740s - as part of its collection and exhibits, is a living, breathing museum, complete with re-enactors, demonstrators, horses, sheep and chickens. The 100-acre property is home to 20 historically correct buildings in an interpretive area.

Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum employs part-time, seasonal and contract workers, but it relies heavily on the support of volunteers. Landis Valley, which also hosts events like weddings, parties, reunions and business meetings, is open Thursdays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. year-round.

There are admission fees involved with touring the farm and museum.

"I love the demonstrations in the buildings," said Kreider. "I love watching (the demonstrators) create what they do. I love our animals. They're like the living parts of the museum. The neat thing about a living history museum is that you're actually seeing it and hearing it."

"We're here for the community," added Kreider. "We provide education for school groups. We have many aspects, and we're preserving the history of the community in a way that's inspiring and interactive."

For additional information, go to http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org.