In honor of the Wicoff House Museum’s annual egg hunt coming up on April 19, 2025, we’re taking a quick look at where this fun tradition began! 

The roots of egg hunting go back to 16th-century Germany, where stories of the “Osterhase” (Easter hare) hiding eggs for children first began. German immigrants brought the custom to America, and it grew into the colorful, candy-filled celebration we know today. Eggs have long symbolized new life and spring, making them a perfect match for the season. Some hunts even feature a golden egg with a special prize inside! 

Fun fact: The largest Easter egg hunt in U.S. history happened in Florida in 2007, with over 500,000 eggs and more than 9,000 kids joining the search!