Ongoing research at the Historic Ephrata Cloister continues to shape our ever-evolving understanding of this community. We maintain a small research library that is open weekdays by appointment, and our collection has an impressive array of materials related to Ephrata Cloister and the people who lived here.
We also maintain materials related to the Pennsylvania Germans, decorative arts, Anabaptist groups, printing, and Lancaster County. We can also assist with research inquiries related to Ephrata Cloister. To use our library or to submit a research inquiry, please feel free to contact our curator, Bradley Smith, by email at brasmith@pa.gov (preferred) or by telephone at 717-733-6600, ext. 3006.
The Ephrata Cloister maintains a rich collection of original artifacts including furniture, printed books, manuscripts, baskets and ceramics. Most artifacts, excluding paper items, are on exhibit in the historic buildings.
