Drink Your Apples: Cider Making in 1860

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Special Event
  • Nov 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM
  • Free

Visitors are invited to join the Living History staff and volunteers for Drink Your Apples: Cider Making in 1860.  Make cider at Roeder’s White Hall Tavern on Potomac Street. This time- honored tradition produced the most popular 19th century beverage for man, woman, and child. Harpers Ferry’s White Hall Tavern proprietor, German immigrant Frederick Roeder, brought his brewing and baking expertise with him to America. Both processes were co-dependent on the cultivation and use of hops. Roeder’s 1860 tavern offered patrons a fine assortment of distilled and fermented beverages. Annual cider house pressings were consumed as fresh cider, fermented hard cider by the introduction of yeast, or distilled hard cider a process that concentrated the alcohol content. Both alcohol methods preserved this popular fall beverage to be enjoyed far into the dark and cold winter days that were ahead. 

Fees

Included with valid park admission or pass.

Location

White Hall Tavern, historic Lower Town, Harpers Ferry.

Latitude and Longitude 39.323393, -77.730283

Schedule

Date:

Nov 7, 2026

Time:

11:00 AM

Duration:

5 hours

This event is ongoing from 11 am to 4 pm. Come and go as you please.

Event Type

  • Cultural/Craft Demonstration
  • Living History
  • Partner Program