Lower Macungie Township Historical Society

Belsnickel showed up at the log house today! A visit from Belsnickel Sometime between December 6 -24, if you were a child living in the 18th- or 19th-century Lehigh Valley area, you probably would be anxiously anticipating the arrival of the trickster, Belsnickel. Anxious is an appropriate word because the mean, crotchety, dirty, fur-clad, masked figure with a long tongue would first let you know that he arrived by rattling chains and scraping birch branches on your... windows. The front door opened slowly and a handful of cast chestnuts and walnuts rattled across the wooden floor. A few suspenseful minutes later, the door opened a little wider and a few more nuts and shellbarks scattered. After entering the house, Belsnsickel, adorned with his heavy boots, whip, and jingling bells, would hand out coal or use a rod or hickory switch to rap the knuckles of bad children who had been disobedient. To prove their worth, some of the terrified children were required to pick up the nuts, sing, dance or recite a verse and promise to mend their ways. When finally satisfied, the hideous visitor would then reach into the sack, slung over his shoulder, and dispense gifts of popcorn, dried apples, cookies, nuts and candies to the thrilled children. The Belsnickel tradition was brought by early colonial immigrants from the Rhineland of southwestern Germany and passed down through successive generations of the Pennsylvania Deitsch. It all began with St. Nicholas, a Greek Catholic bishop who lived during the third century, who was revered for his generosity, his love for children, and his concern for seafarers. The anniversary of his death, Dec. 6, is still celebrated as St. Nicholas Day, and is celebrated throughout Europe as a day for gift-giving and merry-making. Pelsnickel ('hairy Nicholas'), would arrive on Dec. 5, St. Nicholas eve, to determine which children would be deserving of the Saint's gifts. Belsnickel later became a secular replacement for St. Nicholas after the German Protestant Reformation. See more

It's raining, it's pouring, but the museum will open at 1 and stay open until 4 this afternoon, November 1.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we will not be hosting an event at the Lower Macungie Community Center. We have welcomed veterans and their families to a commemorative event there every year from 2008 to 2019, and are sad that it had to be canceled this year. Instead, we've created a virtual program for 2020 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV53bxreyUYhas It includes a short introduction and concluding comments from Dr. Charles Peters, U.S. Navy, chair of our Veterans Committee. Following his remarks is the slide show we present every year of all 280 veterans and current service members who have participated in our Veterans Recognition Project. You may read their one-page biographies at www.lmthistory.org/veterans-project.html

The Lower Macungie museum at Camp Olympic will be open today from 1 to 4 p.m. You are welcome, member or not. Masks are required.

This is amazing generosity. Some who donated are from Oregon, and had no idea about our museum until Jon made this request for contributions.

The Lower Macungie museum will be open today, Sunday, from 1 to 4.

This morning we held a ceremony dedicating the Wescosville gateway pocket park in the name of Brent A. Mcnabb. Sadly and unexpectedly, we lost Brent far too so...on last year at the age of 59. Brent served with the Lower Macungie Fire Department for 43-years. He was at times the Fire Marshal, a Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, President, and Deputy Chief as well as member of the town planning commission. Brent owned and operated a family business in Wescosville for 43-years. His son runs the family business today. The Lower Macungie Township Board of Commissioners named the gateway park in honor of Brent by proclamation a few weeks ago. This is the small but highly visible gateway park located next to Wawa in what Brent would call "beautiful downtown Wescosville". I and others spoke at the ceremony to mark the occasion. For my part, I wanted to recognize what he represents in terms of being an everyday hero. These are folks in our community who step to the plate and serve without seeking recognition. Brent had that special everyday hero gene. EVERYDAY HEROES are the people around us who serve selflessly and often without the credit and recognition they deserve. This is especially important in 2020 when nurses, teachers, firemen, first responders, police and others in the same vein have stepped up over and over through all the various curveballs and trials the world has thrown at us this past year. A Gateway Park serves to welcome folks to our community. But it’s also a way to signal our values as a community. In Lower Macungie we honor and appreciate the selfless sacrifice of everyday heroes. This park is forever named after Brent and with it we honor him and everyday heroes like him. As Brent was these selfless public servants are often quiet and humble but they serve capably as the ever-ready backbone of our community. Thank you to Cub Pack 431 for presenting and retiring the colors.

Nice article in today's East Penn Press!

Looking for something meaningful to do during your COVID staycation? The LMTHS is looking for volunteers to help with some projects. Please let us now if you have some time and special talents the you might like to share. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Your Fall 2020 LMTHS newsletter will be arriving soon!