Local history museumBirdsboro

Daniel Boone Homestead

4.6(345)
Unclaimed

Daniel Boone Homestead in Birdsboro is a local history museum renowned for its peaceful grounds, engaging historical demonstrations, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Visitors enjoy well-maintained walking trails and interactive events that bring 18th-century life to vivid life.

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Plan your visit to Daniel Boone Homestead

When
Visitor Center and Boone House: Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12 to 4pm. Historic site grounds: 7 days a week 9am to 4pm, with pedestrian access sunrise to sunset. Closed New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Schedule
Guided Boone House tours at 12:30pm and 2:30pm on days the visitor center is open. Fall 2026 events: Fall Lecture Series, The American Revolution in Pennsylvania, September 13 at 2pm; Early American Candle Making Workshop, September 20, 1 to 4pm; Heritage Day Fall Festival, October 18, 12 to 4pm; Dark Side of the Homestead, October 26, 7 to 8:30pm; Fall Lecture, Berks County and the American Revolution, November 8 at 2pm; Holiday Wreath Class, November 15, 1 to 3pm; A Homestead Holiday, December 6, 12 to 4pm.
Admission
Adults $10; seniors 60 and over $8; youth 6 to 17 $5; children under 5 free; DBHA members free; active duty military and families free (Blue Star Museum). Participates in Museums For All.
Parking
Parking lots throughout the grounds near the Visitor Center, sawmill, picnic areas, DeTurk Education Center and Wayside Lodge, each with handicap spaces.
Accessibility
The Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms. The insides of the Boone House and the Bertolet log cabin are not wheelchair accessible; interior photos are kept at the Visitor Center. Trails in the historic area are gravel and the lake trails are dirt. Handicap parking spaces are in every lot. The North Picnic Area and Wayside Lodge are accessible; the DeTurk Education Center and South Picnic Area are not.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed in the park on a leash at all times. They are not allowed in any building unless they are a service dog.
Know before you go
Tours run only on Saturday and Sunday when the visitor center is open. Restrooms in the Visitor Center are open Friday through Sunday; portable toilets serve the picnic areas. Private tours for school and large groups are by appointment. Anyone who needs assistance is asked to call ahead at 610-582-4900. A trail map and brochures can be downloaded from the Maps and Forms page, and professional photography requires a form.

Checked on September 7, 2026 against the official site. Hours and prices change; confirm before a long drive.

What to do at Daniel Boone Homestead

  • Take the guided tour of the Boone House, the stone house that grew from Squire Boone's 1730 log home
  • See the 1737 Bertolet log cabin, the water powered sawmill and the 1769 blacksmith shop
  • Walk the gravel trails through the historic area and the dirt trails around the lake
  • Try the permanent orienteering courses laid out by the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association
  • Picnic at the North or South picnic areas
  • Come for Heritage Day, the fall lecture series or the holiday open house

The Daniel Boone Homestead is the 579 acre state historic site outside Birdsboro where Daniel Boone was born on November 2, 1734 and lived until his family moved to North Carolina in 1750. The Commonwealth bought the property in 1938. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission owns it and the Daniel Boone Homestead Associates, a nonprofit, operates it.

The centerpiece is the stone Boone House, which grew out of the log house Squire Boone built in 1730, and the site tells the story of three families who lived there, the Boones, the Maugridges and the DeTurks, along with the enslaved people, indentured servants and apprentices who worked the farm. Six other 18th century buildings stand on the grounds: the 1737 Bertolet log cabin, a water powered sawmill, a 1769 blacksmith shop moved from Amityville, and a Pennsylvania German bank barn among them. There is also a lake, picnic areas and a trail network with permanent orienteering courses.

We visit on a weekend for the guided Boone House tour, which runs at 12:30 and 2:30 when the visitor center is open. The grounds are open every day, and the site runs a calendar of lectures, craft workshops and seasonal festivals through the fall and holidays.

Classes & programs from Daniel Boone Homestead

What Daniel Boone Homestead runs, with the next date, the price, and where to register. Dated programs come first.

Holiday Wreath Class

Education class

Holiday Wreath Class

Starts Sun, Nov 15, 1:00 PM · Daniel Boone Homestead Associate Members $45 and Non-Members $50

Daniel Boone Homestead at a glance

Historic homestead with period-furnished 18th-century buildings, guided tours & workshops.

Featured on the BerksConnect blog

Daniel Boone Homestead appears in this post, researched and written by us.

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Dec 9

Events at Daniel Boone Homestead

Holiday Wreath Class

Holiday Wreath Class

November 15, 2026 · 1:00 PM · Daniel Boone Homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Rd, Birdsboro · Advance registration required; space is limited to 10 participants.

Spend a Sunday afternoon at the Daniel Boone Homestead making a Williamsburg-inspired holiday wreath you can hang indoors or out.

A Homestead Holiday

A Homestead Holiday

December 6, 2026 · 12:00 PM · Daniel Boone Homestead, 400 Daniel Boone Rd, Birdsboro · Admission is charged. Children 5 and under and DBHA members are free.

Step into Christmas as the families of eighteenth century Pennsylvania would have known it.

What people love about Daniel Boone Homestead

Operational Water-Powered Sawmill Demo

The live sawmill demonstration offers a rare, hands-on glimpse into early American industry that visitors find both educational and memorable.

"The water powered sawmill was especially fascinating to me, especially when they have an operational demo." (Review 2)

Exceptional Tour Guide “Bill”

Bill’s engaging storytelling and thorough knowledge significantly elevate the tour experience, making him a standout among guides.

"Our tour guide, Bill, made the experience truly exceptional. He was a very captivating speaker and brought history to life." (Review 13)

About Daniel Boone Homestead

Daniel Boone Homestead presents a preserved 18th-century farmstead with period-furnished buildings, guided tours, and hands-on workshops. Visitors begin at the visitor center, which features a concise introductory film and curated exhibits that establish the historical context before exploring the grounds.

Grounds and Trails (Positive)

The homestead’s 300-acre setting includes expansive lawns, wooded areas and winding walking trails. Guests regularly highlight the well-kept landscaping, tranquil picnic spots and scenic vistas as ideal for photography and leisurely strolls. The variety of terrain—open fields, forested paths and streams—adds visual interest throughout the seasons.

Guided Tours (Mixed)

Tours aim to center on Daniel Boone’s life and frontier era skills. Many visitors applaud guides like Bill for engaging storytelling and in-depth knowledge, noting that his presentations significantly enhance the experience. Others report occasional generic or unfocused commentary that drifts from Boone-specific content, suggesting tour quality can vary depending on the guide.

Building Access and Signage (Mixed)

Period-furnished cabins, barns and outbuildings illustrate daily life in the 1700s. However, inconsistent opening hours and sparse directional signs have left some self-guided visitors uncertain which structures are accessible at a given time and how to locate them. Clearer maps or more frequent updates on building schedules could improve the self-tour experience.

Historical Demonstrations and Events (Positive)

Live demonstrations bring 18th-century crafts and industries to life. The operational water-powered sawmill demo receives frequent praise for offering a rare, hands-on glimpse into early American industry. Seasonal events such as Sheep & Fiber Day draw high marks for interactive tutorials on spinning, weaving and animal care. Reenactor-led workshops and special-event weekends reinforce the homestead’s educational value.

Staff and Service (Positive)

Staff members and volunteers earn consistent commendations for courtesy, approachability and historical expertise. Many guests mention that friendly interactions at the ticket desk, visitor center and on guided excursions contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.

Pricing and Payment (Mixed)

Admission fees are generally regarded as modest and fair for the scope of programming and grounds access. At the same time, several visitors note that the payment process—limited onsite kiosks and occasional reliance on cash—can be cumbersome. Streamlining ticketing or expanding digital payment options would address this concern.

Facilities and Maintenance (Mixed)

Landscaping and building exteriors are well maintained, yet some interior areas show signs of wear. Reports of rocky or uneven trail segments, weathered benches and limited restroom facilities suggest targeted improvements could boost overall comfort. Additional seating along trails and upgraded restrooms would enhance visitor convenience.

Location

Daniel Boone Homestead is located at 400 Daniel Boone Road, Birdsboro, PA. Onsite parking is free. Guided tours and demonstrations run on a set schedule—check the homestead’s official site or visitor center for current hours and event calendars.

Unique Details About Daniel Boone Homestead

Children

  • Good for kids

Amenities

  • Restroom
  • Offers tours

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Contact Daniel Boone Homestead

400 Daniel Boone Rd
Birdsboro, PA 19508
United States of America

County: Berks County

Website: Visit Website

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Based on 345 reviews

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