The Schwenkfelder

We are fully open again and want to take this opportunity to introduce (or reintroduce) ourselves to you. We hope you will come and visit soon and often!

A summer what is it?" This object, on loan from the Peter Wentz Farmstead, has just been installed in the Schultz Farm Life Gallery. So what does it do? Share your ideas; answer on Tuesday. #The_Schwenkfelder #wentzfarmstead #VisitValleyForge #padutch #pennsylvaniagerman

It's so wonderful to hear about our collection through the voices of those that used these tools in their everyday lives. Thank you so much for sharing Darlene! What a treasure to have these special moments captured on video to cherish. Please thank your parents for sharing their personal connections to these objects. They really brought the exhibit to life for us!! Rachel, Museum Educator

We are excited to be part of the Lehigh Valley’s Passport to History consortia. This August the Heritage Center will host an open house the weekend of August 7 and 8. Come learn about our Lehigh Valley collections and delve into Pennsylvania German culture. #passporttohistory #The_Schwenfelder #VisitValleyForge #pennslyvaniadutch #pagerman #pennsylvaniagerman #padutch

Just under 50 miles from the Upper Perkiomen Valley and 245 years ago, possibly unbeknownst to our local farmers who had their never-ending summer chores on their mind, a group of men were struggling to find common ground to bring a new country to life. We all know how that turned out...with a document that challenged the status quo, and made those promises of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness" that we Americans hold so dear. have a safe and happy 4th, everyone! The Schwenkfelder will be closed today and tomorrow. (Drawings of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson by Abraham W. Heebner, Worcester Township, Montgomery County, ca. 1830-1835, Schwenkfelder collection)

Thanks Museum Council of Greater Philadelphia! They awarded us a micro-grant to host discussion groups in August with people who have NOT visited us to learn about their perceptions of, desires for, and needs from a regional history center. Each person who participates will receive a $50 gift card. If you know anyone who falls into this category, ask them to consider joining us. They can apply by completing a short survey by July 18 at https://forms.gle/77uu5LfEf3gKeroZ9. #The_Schwenkfelder #philamuseumcouncil

New exhibit! "Visions of Faith: Spiritual Words and Images from the Permanent Collection" is on display now in the Fraktur Gallery through October 3. From fraktur and art to needlework and other forms of artistic self-expression, the exhibit presents works from the collection that depict how artists and others visualize their spirituality. #The_Schwenkfelder #fraktur #needlework #religion #VisitValleyForge

Do come see the barn - call for a reservation or ask at the front desk for a guide.

Welcome Emma, our new intern at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center. Emma is going into her senior year at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and is a History and Hispanic Studies double major. She has been helping Beth with research on Selina Schultz and will be working with Rachel in preparation for camp in July! Besides being interested in all things historical, Emma is also a member of the Women’s Ice Hockey program at Bowdoin, and thoroughly enjoys sports and fitness, especially CrossFit. Emma is also a Schwenkfelder descendant and that's how she discovered the Heritage Center! -Rachel, Museum Educator

Happy Pennsylvania German Day! Did you know that in 1976, The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enacted PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN DAY - OBSERVANCE in recognition of the cultural, educational and historical contributions from their heritage to this Commonwealth. June 28 of each year is set aside to commemorate the Pennsylvania German, commonly known as Pennsylvania Dutch, and is hereby designated to be "Pennsylvania German Day." (https://www.legis.state.pa.us//LI.../LI/US//1976/0/0113..PDF) The Pennsylvania German flag was designed by a committee of members of the Groossdaadi Grundsau Lodge (Grandfather Groundhog Lodge): Carl D. Snyder, Peter V. Fritsch, Richard K. Miller, and Sterling G. Zimmerman. It was dedicated at the Allentown Court House on October 6, 1989, exactly 306 years after the Concord, represented by the ship in the keystone, landed in Philadelphia. "Liewer Gott im Himmel drin, Loss uns Deitsche was mir sin" is translated: "Dear God in heaven, leave us Germans what we are." (https://www.padutchdictionary.com) Rachel, Museum Educator

We are excited to introduce our new Museum Educator--Rachel Yoder. A folk artist, graphic designer, and former art teacher, Rachel has experience sharing Pennsylvania German culture with adults and children. She wrote and illustrated the bilingual (Pennsylvania Dutch/English) children's books Penny Olive and Davey Applebutter. (Available in our gift shop!) She also has deep Pennsylvania Dutch roots in the Fisher and Deturk families of Oley Valley and recently learned that she is a Schwenkfelder descendant too. #The_Schwnekfelder #museumeducation #pennsylvaniagerman

Our own Curator of Collections Candace Perry and Associate Director of Research Dr. Allen Viehmeyer are featured this week on the Cloister Talk podcast. They discuss our collections, Pennsylvania German culture, and the Mystical religious tradition of which Schwenkfelderism was part. Listen at https://anchor.fm//Cloister-Talk-Live--A-Mystica/a-a5uashl.

Our friends at Peter Wentz Farmstead are having a special Juneteenth tour this weekend! Why not check it out? And remember, the Farmstead was home to the Schwenkfelder Melchior Schultz family and their descendants for 150 years!

Miss our last Brown Bag lunch on Schwenckfeld, the Eucharist, and his Expression of the Christian Faith? Here is the link to the talk by Dr. Drake Williams, III - T Meeting Recording: https://zoom.us//tgICJ76_C54reYMnYJyE87EmMCmpVKeDZc3DF-v6z... (Note: This link was updated 6/16/21 due to passcode issues.)

Take a look behind the scenes to see what it takes to make your own exhibit! The program will also be done virtually throughout the month of January. Please register with Museum Educator Alyssa McQuirns at [email protected] or 215-679-3103

Hearth cooking sounds inviting this January. Learn about what is involved in cooking on the hearth in this post by Goschenhoppen Historian Bob Wood at: padutchcompanion.com/2021/01/13/hearth-cooking-then-and-now/ Pennsylvania Dutch At-Home Companion, a blog by the Mennonite Heritage Center, Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center, and the Goschenhoppen Historians.

Mystery object continued--Thanks for the ideas. It does seem like a tamper from those posted photos. With these photos, we wonder what if it was used horizontally or is part of something else? Do these photos generate any new ideas? #farmerslife #historymuseum #TheSchwenkfelder #makeitmontco #visitvalleyforge

A short video by Quarry View Building Group. Traces of the journey of a Pennsylvania German bank barn from farm to museum. Check it out then contact our museum educator, Alyssa McQuirns to schedule a tour. 215-679-3103 or [email protected]

For the baking family member or friend--a fun cookie recipe book ($12.95) and a handmade rolling pin by the late Jere Retallack of Lancaster County ($22.00). Buy them together and save $2.00 (both for $32.95)! We will ship or curbside pickup is available. PA sales tax and shipping fees where applicable. Call Candace at 215/679-3103 or email [email protected] for purchase or more information. Order now to ensure Christmas delivery!

To give a sneak peek at what is included in our new exhibits, here’s this week's mystery artifact. It has two parts. Can you guess what they are? Check back next Monday to find out. (Hint: It is another fall activity that produced something that could be enjoyed over the holidays.) #farmerslife #historymuseum #TheSchwenkfelder #foodprep #makeitmontco #visitvalleyforge

Even though the Groundhog Lodge for Children is going to be a little different this year, we still have so many exciting activities planned! The program is also now FREE! This is due to overwhelming donations from our Giving Tuesday campaign to help with virtual programs. Don't miss out on this fun opportunity! Please contact Museum Educator Alyssa McQuirns at [email protected] or 215-679-3103.

Out of an abundance of caution, we're closed to the public right now, but we can still ship or deliver curbside items from the gift shop to you! Here is a group of delightful Christmas tree prints, some overpainted and bedazzled, by the lovely and talented Julie Longacre! These best selling images are great gifts for that hard-to-buy-for family member or friend. In a variety of sizes and prices--call or email Candace for more information at 215/679-3103 or [email protected]. Pennsylvania sales tax and shipping fees may apply. Everyone needs a little Christmas!

It’s time to visit! The Heritage Center is reopening to the public Wednesday, January 6. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 am 2 pm, plus Thursday evenings 5 8 pm. Sunday we are open 1 4 pm too. Walk-in any of those times to enjoy our exhibits and shop in our store. Library research and barn tours are by reservation (215-679-3103). Check out www.schwenkfelder.com to keep up with any future change in hours or check on the status of a program. COVID-19 precautions will continue wear a mask and social distance but we look forward to seeing you. We have so much new to share! #theschwenkfelder #VisitValleyForge #makeitmontco

Due to rising COVID-19 cases, the Heritage Center is closing to the public beginning Wednesday, December 9. Our programs will move online for December, and we will continue to post to Facebook. Check out www.schwenkfelder.com or call 215-679-3103 for information on programs and reopening plans in 2021. #TheSchwenkfelder

Fun to see the variety of answers. Yes, this is a threshing machine to be used in the field to separate the seed from the stalks. This one was made in Lansdale by the Heebner & Sons. The Schwenkfelder Heebners shipped their machines across the country and internationally. #farmerslife #historymuseum #TheSchwenkfelder #threshing #farmmachinery #makeitmontco #visitvalleyforge

As promised, here is a virtual show of Pam Smith’s jewelry. She is here today and tomorrow for the Christmas Market. Please call us at 215-679-3103 if there is something you like. We can ship anything out.