Pennsylvania Maple Museum

The Pennsylvania Maple Museum showcases Somerset County's sugar-making tradition, a sweet tribute to centuries of craftsmanship, community, and cultural heritage. Slated for completion in March 2024 inside Hoffman Hall—home to the Historical & Genealogical Society of Somerset County (HGSSC)—this immersive museum interprets Pennsylvania's maple legacy from its colonial roots in the 1760s to today's family-run sugar shacks.

Funded by HGSSC, the PA Maple Producers Association, Somerset County Maple Producers, and Sechler Sugar Shack, the museum offers a statewide perspective on maple production, drawing on the stories, tools, and traditions that have shaped generations.

Interpretation & Education

Beyond syrup, the museum's educational programming delves into the life and legacy of Frederick Goeb, a master printer active from 1810 to 1820, who produced the first German Bible west of the Alleghenies. Thanks to grant support, older students will engage with a reproduction printing press and hands-on activities, including:

• Printing and typesetting
• Bookbinding and papermaking
• Paper marbling and historical publishing techniques