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Nestled in Landis Woods Park, the Boettcher House is one of Manheim Township's "hidden gems." The woodsy setting of Landis Woods is a perfect backdrop for this building that looks like it was transported from the Bavaria's Black Forest. "The Boettcher House nature center is our pride and joy, but most township residents don't even know it's there," said H. Clair Garman, the chair of the Boettcher House Museum Board. The Boettcher House not only houses the township's natural history museum but the house itself has a storied past.
History Born in 1876 in Germany, Henry Boettcher and his wife, Alma emigrated to the United States in 1906. He found work as an architectural draftsman and designed some of the earliest buildings at the Armstrong Floor Plant in Lancaster. He also designed other plants throughout the country for Armstrong. Well after his retirement at the age of 72, Boettcher continued to perform architectural work, including deigns for private residences throughout the county. Henry and Alma Boettcher's residence was located along Route 501. By 1919 the couple had also purchased 180-acres of farm and woodland that spanned the Lititz and Oregon Pikes. It was on this tract that the lodge where they entertained was constructed. What we now call the Boettcher House was originally called "Villa Brema" by Boettcher in memory of his childhood home in Bremen, Germany. The exterior of the lodge is made of Straub cinder block, which Boettcher patented and was manufactured by one of the companies he owned. All of the original frame and foundation still exist. One of the most spectacular features of the lodge is a great room with a stone fireplace and vaulted ceiling. A sun porch and stone terrace were added later. The lodge was the site of numerous parties; some of these parties were lavish enough to warrant coverage in the newspapers of the day. (Copies of some of the newspaper articles describing the parties are on display today at the Boettcher House.)
Present Day Today, the Boettcher House serves a dual purpose. Individuals and organizations may rent the Boettcher House for meetings and special events. The facility can host up to 75 people, about 50 for sit-down food service, with more room on the patio, weather permitting. The Boettcher House and Landis Woods is the site of the annual Landis Woods Outdoor Art Show; this year's event is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th. The building also serves as an archive of the township's history as well as a natural history museum. Last year Boettcher House Museum Board members Clair Garman, a third generation cabinet maker, and Mike Keene, revamped the displays; repainting the freestanding cabinets in the center of the room and using archival-quality materials to create a more natural setting for the mounted animals in the case. The nature center's collection of mounted items includes variety of native animals, birds, waterfowl and reptiles. There are also castings of animals tracks and some related animal skulls as well as a display of pre-historic and historic archaeological artifacts from the Bent Creek area. "We have a skunk pelt that's mounted on a board. When we have kids in here, I encourage them to touch it-it's so soft," Garman said. He is also a long-time township resident and one of the original members of the Boettcher House Museum Board.
The Boettcher House is open to the public the second weekend of the month March through November. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Visitors are encouraged to use the available picnic sites, to hike and bird-watch along one of the woodland trails or to check activity around one of the many butterfly-nesting stations. "It's a nice place to come on a Sunday afternoon; you can visit the museum and then walk the trails through the park," Garman commented. The Museum also hosts periodic programs featuring speakers and displays. The 2010 Programs include: March 14, 2010 A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF LANDIS WOODS: Presentation by Landis Family Member, BONNIE LANDIS HAUSER, who once lived in Landis Woods
April 11, 2010 “Uncovering Lancaster's Prehistoric Past,” an illustrated presentation by DR. FRED KINSEY, former director of the NORTH MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY & SCIENCE for 27 years and retired professor of anthropology from Franklin & Marshall College. Dr. Kinsey is an expert in regional archaeology and the author of several books on the topic.
May 2, 2010 JUDY LOBOS and other highly regarded local artist: Display, Discussion, and Sale of their collections
June 13, 2010 All Big Band, SOUNDS OF ROSES, performance in Landis Woods
July 11, 2010 “Pickle Science”- a fun, science program for the whole family. JIM RINGLEIN, Curator of Science at the NORTH MUSEUM, demonstrates why the pickle is the answer to many of the world’s scientific problems. Dry ice, liquid nitrogen, and electric shocks etc. are all part of this slightly kooky and engaging program!
August 22, 2010 Music in Landis Woods – Performance by the MARTIN FAMILY BAND: Celtic Music and Dance, including Irish and American fiddle tunes
September 11, 2010, Saturday (10:00AM-3:00PM) 5th ANNUAL HERB FEST IN LANDIS WOODS by CONESTOGA HERB GUILD
September 25, 2010, Saturday (9:00AM-5:00PM) 11th ANNUAL LANDIS WOODS ART SHOW
October 10, 2010 Manheim Township WOODCARVERS CLUB: Exhibit, Demonstration, and Sale
November 14, 2010 VETERANS DAY PROGRAM – TBA
ALL PROGRAMS ON SUNDAY AT 2PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Landis Valley is a living history village of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. The museum is centered around a rural village on its original site. Landis Valley now includes historic buildings from other sites from the mid 1800s with some 1900s replications. Farmland on the site is cultivated traditionally. Heirloom plants and historic breeds of cattle are raised at Landis Valley. There are daily craft demonstrations along with numerous objects on display which interpret Pennsylvania German history. Landis Valley is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Features & Services:
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Landis Woods, the 70-acre setting for the Boettcher House is a natural habitat for many species of plant and animal life. The Boettcher House is also the "home away from home" for 8th grade students participating in Manheim Township Middle School's inter-disciplinary EEP (Environment and Ecology Project). Now in its third year, the EEP offers opportunities to develop skills in leadership, teamwork and self-assessment through hands-on learning that supports or introduces academic standards and takes place in and out of the traditional classroom. Students spend time at Boettcher House, Landis Woods and other historical and environmental sites. 
