Dryhouse

A dryhouse is a small structure fitted with interior racks, shelves, or drawers and a small stove. Thinly sliced fruits and vegetables were placed on the racks and slowly dried with low heat from the stove. The dryhouse would be sited near the farmhouse. This is a rare outbuilding. It is mainly associated with Pennsylvania German culture. Replicas can be found at Landis Valley Museum and at the Alexander Schaeffer homestead in Schaefferstown, Lebanon County.

Lebanon County Dryhouse
Dryhouse, Lebanon County, replica, c. 2000.

Dryhouse showing drawers, Warrenton Township, York County, c. 1850
Dryhouse showing drawers, Warrenton Township, York County, c. 1850.
(Site 133-WA-001)