Glencairn Museum — Attraction in Bryn Athyn

I was invited to the Glencairn Museum by Patrick Dunmoyer who is doing a tribute to my grandfather, Milton Hill, barn star painter. My mother, Esther Derr, had been working with Patrick giving him information and donating precious “tools of the trade” to the Kutztown Heritage Museum regarding her father. In his later years, in order to keep up with the high demand for his barn stars at the annual Kutztown Folk Festival, my mother would help him paint.

The event at the Glencairn Museum was beautiful. The museum is majestic and Mr. Dunmoyer’s exhibition and lecture filled me with pride that I cannot fully explain. I grew up standing next to the man Patrick was speaking of, watching with the fascination of a little girl as her “Grampy” turned a round piece of Masonite painted white into into a beautiful, perfect “star” using all of the colors of the rainbow.

The exhibition brought back memories and was beautifully done. Eric Claypoole, another artist in barn stars of today was at the exhibition. Eric hunts my grandfather’s nearly totally faded art on barns and brings them back to life, another man with incredible talent.

Patrick Dunmoyer is a man of many talents. He has begun to help Eric repaint barn stars which have nearly disappeared, he is a natural speaker and is passionate about this project. I, one of many grandchildren of Milton Hill, am forever grateful for bringing this humble man who painted barn stars “chust for nice” back to life.

Thank you, Patrick... Your...

The Glencairn Museum is one of those rare places that surprises you from the moment you step inside. Housed in a stunning stone mansion that looks more like a medieval castle than a museum, it beautifully blends art, architecture, history, and spirituality in one unforgettable experience.

Each gallery feels like a journey through time — from ancient Egyptian artifacts and Roman mosaics to magnificent medieval stained glass and religious art from around the world. The museum’s layout encourages quiet exploration, and every room reveals something unexpected, whether it’s the incredible view from the tower or the detailed craftsmanship in the marble and woodwork.

The guided tours are outstanding. The docents aren’t just knowledgeable — they’re passionate storytellers who bring the Bryn Athyn community’s history and the Pitcairn family’s vision to life. It’s clear that Glencairn isn’t just preserving art, but a living legacy of faith, creativity, and education.

Whether you’re an art lover, a history enthusiast, or just looking for a peaceful, inspiring afternoon, Glencairn Museum is a must-see gem in Pennsylvania. The building alone is worth the visit — but the spirit of it stays with you long...

This is a beautiful castle/estate/cathedral in the unassuming town of Bryn Athen and well worth a visit if you find yourself with a free afternoon in the area. The top of the castle has a great view of the Philly skyline and surrounding woods, and the main floor had a really neat around-the-world collection of nativities -- it was super neat getting to see how other countries like China and Ghana represent the nativity scene in their own culture, people, and artistic style. The cathedral is free to visit and will probably take you 15-20 minutes, and is really thoughtfully outfitted with things like hand sanitizer, tissues, water, and well-heated bathrooms. The castle can only be visited on paid tours and there are two types of tours -- the normal year-round art tour and the Christmas tour. The tours are the only ways to see the upper floors, unfortunately -- as there is only one elevator to access the upper floors, some tours can be bogged down if they have too many people. Nonetheless, a fun way to while away a few hours in the afternoon!

Parking is plentiful. Make a reservation for a tour as they do tend...