Our Story
The historic farmstead at Three Gables Barn has been our home since 2005. An amazing place where our kids grew up and memories were made. Since our first day we have been striving to diligently restore the property to its original grandeur.
We completely renovated the main stone barn and opened it to the public as “Canaday’s Book Barn” in 2007. It was a wonderful new setting for our bookstore which had previously resided in Midtown Harrisburg.
For 11 years, the barn showcased what many called “one of the finest used and antiquarian bookstores on the East Coast.” Sadly, the days of rural stand-alone brick-and-mortar bookstores has passed and we made the difficult decision to close the family business after almost 20 years of operation.
Unwilling to consider the possibility of leaving our beloved home, we decided to re-purpose the barn so others could continue to enjoy it. The idea for “Three Gables Barn” was born. We have striven to maintain the historic integrity of the property while tastefully including modern conveniences that will secure its place in the community and as the home for our family for generations to come.
Ted & Tai invite you to share our home at Three Gables Barn for your special occasion. Our labor of love over the past 14 years… and counting!!!
A place where memories are made and cherished
The historic farmstead at Three Gables Barn has been our home since 2005. An amazing place where our kids grew up and memories were made. Since our first day we have been striving to diligently restore the property to its original grandeur.
We completely renovated the main stone barn and opened it to the public as “Canaday’s Book Barn” in 2007. It was a wonderful new setting for our bookstore which had previously resided in Midtown Harrisburg. For 11 years, the barn showcased what many called “one of the finest used and antiquarian bookstores on the East Coast.” Sadly, the days of rural stand-alone brick-and-mortar bookstores has passed and we made the difficult decision to close the family business after almost 20 years of operation.
Unwilling to consider the possibility of leaving our beloved home, we decided to re-purpose the barn so others could continue to enjoy it. The idea for “Three Gables Barn” was born. We have striven to maintain the historic integrity of the property while tastefully including modern conveniences that will secure its place in the community and as the home for our family for generations to come.
Ted & Tai invite you to share our home at Three Gables Barn for your special occasion. Our labor of love over the past 14 years… and counting!!!
A Little History
Our historic farmstead has always been the center of family and livelihood for the owners. A place where memories were made and cherished. This has not changed since 1800 when the barn was first constructed. The original stone dwelling house followed in 1802.
Jacob Seitz, a Swiss immigrant and preacher of the Dunkard faith was one of the first owners. The farm remained in the family and prospered, the large brick Georgian “mansion” house being built in 1849. Later members of the family belonged to and became active in the local Diller church of the Old Mennonites.
In the 1870s the farm passed to the Bear family thru marriage. Old Cumberland county maps from the period show the property as being located at “Bear’s Crossroad.” Sold to the Lehmans in the 1920s, the property was continuously farmed up until 1969 when the fields were sold.
The Eckmans provided careful stewardship over the next three decades ensuring the barn was preserved so that Ted and Tai could begin their turn as caretakers on a solid footing. The 11 acres surrounding the original historic farmstead were maintained intact and have become the setting for “Three Gables Barn” today.
A Little History
Our historic farmstead has always been the center of family and livelihood for the owners. A place where memories were made and cherished. This has not changed since 1800 when the barn was first constructed. The original stone dwelling house followed in 1802.
Jacob Seitz, a Swiss immigrant and preacher of the Dunkard faith was one of the first owners. The farm remained in the family and prospered, the large brick Georgian “mansion” house being built in 1849. Later members of the family belonged to and became active in the local Diller church of the Old Mennonites.
In the 1870s the farm passed to the Bear family thru marriage. Old Cumberland county maps from the period show the property as being located at “Bear’s Crossroad.” Sold to the Lehmans in the 1920s, the property was continuously farmed up until 1969 when the fields were sold.
The Eckmans provided careful stewardship over the next three decades ensuring the barn was preserved so that Ted and Tai could begin their turn as caretakers on a solid footing. The 11 acres surrounding the original historic farmstead were maintained intact and have become the setting for “Three Gables Barn” today.
