The Ephrata Cloister is committed to the safety of its staff and visitors. Adjustments to operations at the historic site have been made to provide a safe environment for visitors, volunteers, and staff to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
We are preparing to reopen on April 30th at which time the Cloister will be open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Tour availability will be limited and by appointment only. Requests for appointments for the guided tours can be made beginning April 21st by calling the site at 717-733-6600.
To provide a safe environment for our staff and visitors, masks will be required, and we will be asking everyone to practice social distancing. Everyone is asked to begin their visit by washing their hands, and hand sanitizer will be available at the site. A regular schedule of cleaning and sanitizing of “high touch” surfaces including sales counters and rest rooms will be followed throughout the day. No events, group gatherings, or large group tours are scheduled for the near future as volunteers and staff continue to make modifications to daily operations during the early period of business in the “new normal.”
During the year that this historic site has been closed, many visitors have enjoyed walking the historic ground at no cost. Beginning April 30, admission to the grounds and historic buildings will again be charge during open hours for access to the site for touring and photography, just as had been the case before the closure. Access to the historic site is always free to current members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates, the non-profit group who supports the activities and operates The Museum Store at Ephrata Cloister. The Museum Store will again return to open hours Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Information on joining the Ephrata Cloister Associates can be found here.
The Virtual Ephrata Academy programs, held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m., will continue, along with virtual school programs. Virtual Homeschool Days are scheduled for April 14 and May 14.
