Myerstown’s Isaac Meier Homestead plans year of colonial events & classes

With Myerstown Borough’s approval, the Isaac Meier Homestead invites the community to a colonial-themed calendar of events for 2026.

Homestead chair Michelle Voydik also reminds community members that the winter giving fence at the homestead is open 24/7 now through Sunday, March 15 — and is not interrupted by snow events.

The winter giving fence is stocked with hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, blankets, and sometimes coats. Community members in need of these items are welcome to pick them up.

The Isaac Meier Homestead will host Saturday open houses on April 25, May 23, June 27, July 18, and Aug. 22, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Admission is free, although souvenirs will be available for purchase.

From 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8, (keep daylight saving time in mind), the homestead will be open for Pennsylvania’s birthday, also known as Pennsylvania Charter Day.

The free-admission celebration will feature demonstrations, including someone with old coins and furs, someone weaving on the large loom for a project to be raffled off this October, and potentially others spinning and cooking.

On Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 8 p.m., the homestead will host tavern night with Oakgrove Farm Historical Brewing. The event will include dinner, dessert, and samples of colonial-themed drinks, as well as music with Forbes Road Frolic.

When asked how guests should prepare for the night, Voydik responded, “Dress warm. It is a historical home. We try and heat it as best we can, but it is always chilly. So, dressing in layers is always best.”

Guests must be 21 years or older. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. At the time of the interview, 21 of the 30 tickets were still available for purchase.

On Saturday, April 4, the homestead will host its second annual egg-rolling contest starting at 10 a.m. The egg-rolling contest dates back to 1878, when the first official Easter Egg Roll was held at the White House.

It is free to compete. Registration will be held on a first-come, first-served basis starting on the day of the contest at around 9:45 a.m. There is a maximum of 15 participants per age group, ranging from age 2 to 14. Participants will keep their wooden egg, and the first-place winner of each age group will receive a prize.

On Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the homestead will be open to the community during the second annual Myerstown Carnival hosted by the Elmer C. Ebling Memorial Charity.

During the open house on Saturday, May 23, the Sheep to Shawl team from the Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven will demonstrate at the homestead.

The homestead will host Monday evening summer classes on June 15 and 22, July 6 and 13, and Aug. 3 and 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. Check Facebook for the craft of the night.

Tickets are $10 per child per class and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. Children’s legal guardians must stay for the class. There is no maximum number of participants.

On Saturday, March 7, from 2 to 4 p.m., the Isaac Meier Homestead will host a sgraffito redware plate class with instructor Susan Horst of Huber Haus Pottery. Participants should bring an apron and a towel.

Tickets are $35 for a 7-7 1/2-inch plate or $55 for an 11-inch plate and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. At the time of the interview, three of the nine tickets were still available for purchase.

On Saturday, March 28, from 12 to 3 p.m., the homestead will host an intro spinning wheel class with Margi Wright. Participants should bring their own spinning wheel, or can rent one for $10 if they specify at the time of ticket purchase.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. At the time of the interview, four of the five tickets were still available for purchase.

On Saturday, April 11, from 12 to 2 p.m., the homestead will host an open fire dyeing with natural dyes class with instructor Margi Wright. Participants will dye two skeins of wool and can purchase additional skeins to dye for $15 each.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. At the time of the interview, 14 of the 15 tickets were still available for purchase.

On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the homestead will host a pineapple pennyrug class with Janice Sonnen. Participants should bring lunch.

Tickets are $55 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. There is a minimum of five and a maximum of nine participants for this class.

On Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 3 p.m., the homestead will host a distelfink theorem painting class with Peggy Allen-Geesaman.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. There is a minimum of four and a maximum of eight participants for this class. At the time of the interview, two tickets were sold.

On Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and again from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., the homestead will host mother-daughter wet-felted coin purse classes with Margi Wright. Tickets will include light refreshments in celebration of Mother’s Day, which is the following weekend.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. There is a maximum of 12 participants for each class. At the time of the interview, three tickets for the afternoon class were sold.

On Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the homestead will host a beginner knitting class in which participants will create a dishcloth with instructor Vivian Rexrode. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. At the time of the interview, all of the seven tickets were still available for purchase.

Also on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the homestead will host a beginner crochet class when participants can make a hot pad with Voydik. Participants should bring a size G crochet hook. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik. At the time of the interview, all of the seven tickets were still available.

During the second annual Myerstown Carnival, on Saturday, May 23, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the homestead will host a Pennsylvania German star embroidery class with Karen Wattai. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik. There is a minimum of two and a maximum of nine participants for this class.

Also during the carnival, on Sunday, May 24, from 1 to 4 p.m., the homestead will host a gourd basket weaving class with Jim Anspach of Homestead Weaving, Myerstown. Participants should bring an apron and a towel. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998.

On Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the homestead will host a flag and sheep rug hooking class with Janice Sonnen. Participants should bring lunch.

Tickets are $55 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. There is a minimum of five and a maximum of nine participants for this class.

On Saturday, June 27, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., the homestead will host a chicken penny rug class with Voydik. Participants should bring sewing pins.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased through Voydik. There is a maximum of nine participants for this class.

On Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the homestead will host a round chair pad rug braiding with Janice Sonnen. Participants should bring lunch.

Tickets are $55 and can be purchased by contacting Voydik at 717-376-6998. There is a minimum of five and a maximum of nine participants for this class.

Other happenings at the homestead include a haunted hayride, with two events this year due to its popularity, as well as a historical lantern hayride and open house.

The homestead will also host its annual country fair, with demonstrators and vendors already booking, as well as Kerzenlicht night and Christmas at the Homestead.

For more information on the colonial-themed calendar of events for 2026, visit the Isaac Meier Homestead’s Facebook page or contact Voydik at 717-376-6998. Also, stay tuned for an event being planned for this summer to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

Voydik invited organizations, such as homeschool groups, 4-H clubs, or scouting groups, to contact the homestead about opportunities for private tours and classes.

“We are always looking for volunteers,” Voydik said. “We did get some new volunteers this year, but we can always use more volunteers to help out at events.”

The Isaac Meier Homestead is starting a restoration committee to address the work that needs to be done on the Homestead. The committee’s first goal is to repoint the exterior, which will include replacing some of the exterior wood and repainting. Once the exterior is complete, the committee plans to repair some damaged interior plaster.