Mifflinburg Buggy Museum

Step into the story of “Buggy Town.”

The Mifflinburg Buggy Museum preserves the craftsmanship, innovation, and community pride that once made Mifflinburg a nationally recognized center of carriage manufacturing. Our campus is home to the only fully intact 19th-century carriage factory open to the public in the United States, along with the original Heiss family home, the Repository showroom, our reconstructed Carriage House, and a modern Visitor Center.

But this is more than a collection of buggies.

It is one of the few surviving industrial sites of its kind in the country. Original wooden factory floors, historic windows, hand-built vehicles, tools, and fragile archives require constant care. Preserving these structures and artifacts is not a one-time effort — it is an ongoing commitment. Without that care, this irreplaceable chapter of American craftsmanship could quietly disappear.

Through historic photographs, personal letters, tools, ledgers, clothing, and rare marketing materials, we safeguard the everyday lives, businesses, and determination of the people who built this town. When visitors walk across our preserved factory floors, they don’t just hear about history — they stand where it happened.

Each year, we welcome school groups, families, researchers, tourists, and lifelong residents who rediscover pride in the ingenuity that once thrived here. Children see how things were built by hand — with skill, patience, and artistry — and begin to understand what is possible when a community values craftsmanship and creativity. Visitors leave with a deeper appreciation for the people who shaped this region.

Throughout the year, we bring that legacy to life through guided tours, rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and signature community events including Mifflinburg Buggy Day, the Christkindl Market, German Fest,  and our summer Volunteer Appreciation Picnic honoring those who serve not only our museum but nonprofits throughout Mifflinburg.

Our annual fundraising celebration is the highlight of the year. On Saturday, March 14, join us at Rusty Rail Brewing Company for An Evening in Venice — an Italian-inspired evening of exceptional food, fellowship, and live music by Blue River Soul Band. Come casual or dress up — the only requirement is that you come ready to enjoy the night.

Your support during Raise the Region and throughout the year allows us to maintain our historic buildings, care for our collection, expand educational opportunities, and continue strengthening our endowment so the story of Buggy Town remains protected and financially sustainable for generations to come. By investing in long-term preservation today, you help ensure that future generations will not have to wonder whether this story survived — they will be able to walk through it.

History survives because people choose to protect it — and this story survives because of you.