NOW available in the Museum Store at the Ephrata Cloister are bags to participate in this year's Best Kept Secrets tour of Lancaster County. The tour runs from October 8 through October 23 and includes 35 participating attractions. For more information click here.

Founders' Day
Saturday, September 18
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

What can you get for a $1.00? A special visit to the Ephrata Cloister -the place where the modern Borough of Ephrata began. Discover the roots of this community with special admission of $1.00 for everyone age 3 and above (2 and under are free). Activities throughout the site will highlight the achievements of Ephrata's first residents. As a unique treat, limited tours of the upper levels of the Sisters' House (not normally open to the public) will be available for $10.00 per person.

Book Signing
Saturday, September 18
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Dr. Lucy Carroll and Dr. Jeffrey Bach will be in the Museum Store for a book signing on Saturday September 18 from 11AM to 2 PM. Hot off the press is Dr. Carroll’s new book of “Music of Ephrata Cloister, Cloister Song in Modern Transcription”. This 54 page book is spiral bound for easy use and contains new transcriptions of the music written at Ephrata Cloister in the 1700s. Along with notes about the text and musical notation Dr. Carroll includes a full list of resources, the apparatus for transcription and comments about the unique aspects of these 18th century chorales. The original German is included as well as English translations by Dr. Jeffrey Bach.

Dr. Bach will also be signing copies of his comprehensive work of the Ephrata Community entitled Voices of the Turtledoves. This 282 page book helps to reveal a better understanding of the Ephrata Cloister and speaks to their religious beliefs, practices, and motivations of the founder and its members. Dr. Donald Durnbaugh states “The great contribution of Voices of the Turtledoves is that the jargon is deciphered, the esoteric subjects explained, and the arcane imagery described for modern readers”.

Cost of the Music of Ephrata Cloister is $9.95 and cost of Voices of the Turtledoves is $20.00. You can find these items in the Museum Store at Ephrata Cloister or make arrangements for shipping by contacting the store at 717-733-2592 or email at c-sshober@state.pa.us.

Mysterious, Melancholy and Macabre
Stories from Early Lancaster County
Friday and Saturday, October 22 and 23
7:30 and 9:00 p.m. each night

Meet Michael and Maria Miller, early residents of Ephrata, and catch up on the chilling news of the 1700s. Direct from the newspapers of the day, you'll learn about a murder mystery, an arson fire, people who survived lightning strikes, and rabies. There might even be mention of a ghost or two along the way. Weather permitting, the event will be held outdoors by candlelight, so dress appropriately.

Community Days
October 22
Discover activities of the Cloister during this special hands-on educational program. Perfect for schools and home-schoolers.

Advance registration is strongly encouraged.

Admission Charged.
Apple Dumplings and Musical Delights
October 8 and 9
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy an apple with cinnamon and sugar wrapped in a flaky crust. Proceeds from this special sale help to purchase original Cloister artifacts. No admission required to purchase apple dumplings.

On Saturday, October 9 the Ephrata Cloister Chorus will perform the music of Ephrata at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. in the historic Saal.

Admission charged for concerts.

Christmas at the Cloister
Presented by: Ephrata Cloister Chorus
December 13 and 14
6:30, 7:45 and 9:00 p.m.

Start the season with readings and music in the historic Saal. Seating is limited and advance tickets are required. Tickets are available to members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates in The Museum Store beginning November 1. Tickets are available to the general public in The Museum Store beginning November 8. Mail requests for tickets must include a first and second choice of date and time, along with a self-address stamped envelope, a daytime phone number and $5.00 for each ticket. Checks can be made payable to the Ephrata Cloister Associates and mailed to Christmas Tickets, 632 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522. Requests will be filled in the order they are received.

NO exchanges or refunds will be made.

Lantern Tours
December 27 through 30
6:00 to 9:00 p.m. each evening

These tours take you back in time to visit the Cloister as it may have appeared in the 1700s. Each year’s story offers a cast of junior and senior high school students playing the roles that bring history to life. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Cloister after December 1. Admission charged