Brendle Farms
Also known as: Alexander Schaeffer Farm; Sheetz Farm
Why it's listed
A limestone Swiss bank house and farmstead in Heidelberg Township, Lebanon County, on a 347-acre land grant that Alexander Schaeffer bought in 1758. The two-and-a-half-story house has limestone walls, segmented brick arches over first-floor windows, and a tile roof. Its ground floor held work space, a central fireplace with two stills attached to the rear, and a large arched wine cellar where cider barrels were stored and fermented. Living quarters occupied the upper floors. Outbuildings include a stone pigsty dating from about 1740, a limestone smokehouse, a wheat barn from about 1840, and a barn rebuilt around 1894 on eighteenth-century foundations. The farmstead is considered the most complete evidence of eighteenth-century alcohol production in Schaefferstown, and the only Pennsylvania house located so far to retain evidence of a pot still. It also represents the Swiss Weinbaueren farmhouse tradition. The Lower Farm was the birthplace of Reverend Thomas R. Brendle, whose folklore collection is held by Historic Schaefferstown, Inc.
Significance in brief: The farmstead is presented as the most complete evidence of eighteenth-century alcohol production in Schaefferstown, and the only Pennsylvania house located so far to retain evidence of a pot still. It is also regarded as a representative example of the Swiss Weinbaueren farmhouse and the most distinctive early Swiss bank house in the area. The Lower Farm was the birthplace of Reverend Thomas R. Brendle, whose folklore collection is significant, and the site is tied to local folklore and to a preservation and education program begun in 1965.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72001130, listed July 24, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Jct. of PA 501 and 897, Schaefferstown |
|---|---|
| County | Lebanon County |
| Listed | July 24, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001130 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Swiss bank house |
| Areas of significance | Industry, Architecture, Agriculture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The chimney of the central fireplace is no longer extant; the wheat barn has recently been used for tobacco curing. |
| Acreage | 347 |
| Coordinates | 40.29591, -76.30283 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72001130.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4961140
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.