A Short Visit to the Daniel Boone Homestead on a Snowy Day

A red car passes by a PA state historical marker for the Daniel Boone Homestead in Berks County, PA

Date of Visit: February 6, 2021

Daniel Boone, the legendary pioneer, was born on November 2, 1734 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He lived on the family farm near modern day Birdsboro until he was 16 years old.

Today, his birthplace is operated as a historic site by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

cleared path with bare trees and snow on either side

Boone is most known for his exploits in the Carolinas and Tennessee, but the historic site in Berks County is dedicated to telling about his upbringing and ancestral heritage.

I stopped at the park for a quick stroll on a snowy February day. The park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset (though the front gate is only open to vehicular traffic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), though most of the buildings are open only during weekend guided tours and special events.

the Boone House at Daniel Boone Homestead on a snowy day

During my visit, I explored only a small part of the property, starting at the Visitors Center (which was closed) and walking down the path to the Boone House.

Built by Boone’s father, Squire Boone, in 1730, the family lived here for the next 20 years before migrating south in 1750. The house, however, would likely be unrecognizable to the Boone family. The original log cabin walls were replaced by subsequent owners and additions were added in the late 18^th Century.

While it may not look like Daniel Boone’s log cabin, it’s a beautifully eye-catching building.

Large reddish orange barn and log cabin against a field of snow at the Daniel Boone Homestead

A short walk from the home is the Homestead Barn and Blacksmith Shop. The Barn is a towering structure that is more remniscent of what the property owners would have had in the 19^th Century rather than in Boone’s time.

log cabin and a large reddish orange barn in a snowy field at Daniel Boone Homestead

The Blacksmith Shop is much closer to authentic. Though not original to the property, Squire Boone was a blacksmith by trade and would have likely had a similar building on the property. The one that sits along the path today was built in the 1760s and was eventually preserved and moved to the site from a nearby property.

That was as far as I got on my short visit. Unfortunately I didn’t take the extra time to visit the Bertolet buildings – a period log cabin home, bakehouse and sawmill, all of which were brought to the property in the mid 20^th Century to more clearly show what life would have been like during Daniel Boone’s childhood and shortly after.

park bench in a snowy field with footprints leading to and away

Overall, there are more than 500 acres on the property, many of which are accessible and provide a peaceful escape from the nearby City of Reading and its eastern suburbs.

(It’s far enough removed from the city’s light pollution that it plays host to Star Parties hosted by the Berks County Amateur Astronomers).

I look forward to returning again in the future for a tour or for one of the living history events the Homestead hosts throughout the year.

When You Go

The park is open daily for vehicles and pedestrians, but the Visitors Center and buildings are open for tours for weekends and special events. Check the Homestead’s website for the most up-to-date information on events and programs.
One of the largst events every year is the Heritage Day Fall Festival that includes hands-on demonstrations of historic crafts, sawmill demonstrations, and more.