Experience the work of everyday rural life through the 1930s. See historic tools that were revolutionary in their time, from an ancient Mesopotamian sickle to woodworking implements, and ice harvesting equipment. Learn how food and fiber systems have changed over time, and explore how eighteenth- and nineteenth-century farmers tackled challenges and how these practices impact farming today.
Step into the past—experience our collections and exhibits first-hand
The Pasto Agricultural Museum features tools and technology related to agricultural and rural life, from a time before electricity and engines. Illuminating what life was like and how the work of daily living was done before gasoline engines and rural electrification, artifacts in the Pasto collection span from 4,000BC to 1940AD.
Special Exhibits on display:
- Collections from the College of Agricultural Sciences These collections represent hundreds of years of collecting, curating, and preserving objects that reflect the human-made and natural world. This special exhibit is but a tiny taste of the 2.4 million specimen and artifacts vital to the teaching, research, and public engagement mission of our institution.
- Beekeeping Exhibit : "Bee" sure to visit our newest exhibit about the history of beekeeping in Pennsylvania
Kitchen 1840s
Features the cast, wrought, woven, thrown, and tinned implements used to prepare food. These artifacts reflect a time before the industrial revolution
Kitchen 1920s
Features duel-fuel cookstove, that burned wood or coal, and modern conveniences and patented technology made possible in the rural home by manufacturing, transportation, and commerce.
Food Preservation and Canning
Food preservation includes processes that make food more resistant to microorganism growth and slow the oxidation of fats. Some techniques of food preservation pre-date the dawn of agriculture. Others were discovered more recently.
Food Preservation and Canning: Apples
Food preservation includes processes that make food more resistant to microorganism growth and slow the oxidation of fats. Some techniques of food preservation pre-date the dawn of agriculture. Others were discovered more recently.
Fiber and Textiles
Fibers are the basic component of cloth. Fiber is harvested from animals (wool) or from plants (such as hemp, flax (for linen), and cotton). Currently not on exhibit.
Housekeeping and Laundry
Features the tools used to manage and support activities of running a household, homestead, or farm. Laundry has been part of history since humans began to wear clothes.
Poultry
Tools for managing the poultry flock, from eggs to peeps to hens.
Dairy
Features milkers, butter churns, milk cans, and bottles
Butchering
Butchering is the processing of an animal carcass, and preserving meat suitable for human consumption.
Beekeeping
On October 5th 1852, L.L. Langstroth patented the Langstroth beehive, a revolutionary innovation in beekeeping technology that allowed beekeepers to easily manage hives and extract honey. Today, honey bees and hundreds of species of wild and solitary insects pollinator services that are vital to agriculture and food production.
Ice Harvest
Ice was harvested in colonial America from lakes or ponds. Prior to mechanical refrigeration, ice was necessary to make ice cream.
Plowing and Tilling
A plow is a tool used for the initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting.
Small Grains
Wheat, oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, are examples of grains grown for human and animal consumption. This exhibit features a technology timeline of tools used in harvesting and processing grains.
Potatoes
Haymaking
Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing animals such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep.
Transportation and Horse Power
Horses, oxen, and mule provided the primary transportation and power for operating agricultural equipment.
Livestock
Animal care involves managing not only the animals themselves, but the farmer must also manage the food and water, manure, and housing for their flock or herd.
Timber and Logging
At the time of settlement, Pennsylvania was likely 90 percent forested, covered by a combination of white pine, eastern hemlock and assorted hardwoods. Lumber was harvested for fuel, construction, ship masts, and supplied associated industries, such as tanneries and sawmills.
Microbe Super Heroes in our Soil
Highlights the diversity and resiliency of microbial communities living in different soils throughout Pennsylvania. Special exhibit for Ag Progress Days, August 8-9-10 2023.
Pasto Agricultural Museum
- Email PastoAgMuseum@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-1383
Pasto Agricultural Museum
- Email PastoAgMuseum@psu.edu
- Office 814-863-1383
