Heritage Headlines

Page 2 and 3: Ongoing Exhibits

Gemeindehaus

Page 4 and 5: Educational Programs

Page 6 and 7: Summer Programs

Penn Market Textile Lectures

Page 8: Researcher Spotlight

Volunteer news

Page 9: Archive and Library

Additions New Discovery!

Page 10: Brown Bag Lunches

Friends Program

Page 11: Spring Programs and

Exhibits

Page 12: Annual Fund

INSIDE

105 Seminary Street

Pennsburg, PA 18073-1898

Phone: 215.679.3103

Fax: 215.679.8175

info@schwenkfelder.com

www.schwenkfelder.com

Spring 2016 Volume 19, Issue 1

1

PENN DRY GOODS MARKET

at the

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

Friday, May 13, 2016, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Saturday, May 14, 2016, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

General Admission $6.00

The Antiques Show and Sale We are delighted to welcome back many dealers who have been with us the past three years. Dealers new to us this year are marked with an *.

2016 Penn Dry Goods Market Dealers:

Ani DiFazio Antiques*, Silver Spring, MD Antique-A-Day Plus, Nazareth, PA Ayscough Antiques, Chadds Ford, PA Chestnut Hall Fine Antiques, Asbury, NJ Country Things, Bowie, MD David Tuttle*, Oley, PA Edna Moran Textiles*, Little Silver, NJ Gene Bertolet Antiques, Oley, PA Henry Cochran Antiques*, Upper Black Eddy, PA Julie Silber Quilts/Labors of Love*, Berkeley, CA Nailor Antiques, Shiremanstown, PA Neverbird Antiques, Surry, VA Old Farm Antiques, Reading, PA Randi Ona, Wayne, NJ Rose B. Berry, Richmond, VA RSG Antiques, Hanover Township, PA Sandy Elliot Country Antiques*, Brentwood, NH Serapi Antiques*, Huntingdon Valley, PA Small Wonder Antiques*, Westminster, MD Tex Johnson & Son Antiques, Adamstown, PA The Cat Lady Antiques, Bangor, and Anderson-Breish Antiques, Fort Washington, PA The Gatchellville Store, New Park, PA The Norwoods’ Spirit of America, Timonium, MD Van Tassel Baumann American Antiques, Malvern, PA

More Penn Dry Goods Market information on page 7

An Antiques Show and Sale Featuring Antique and Vintage Needlework, Quilts, Buttons, Linens, Clothing, and Americana

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The Art of Walter E. Baum – Pennsylvania Painter and Schwenkfelder Descendant

Extended through April 25 Meeting Room

Visit the Heritage Center over the winter months and enjoy this special opportunity to view the Heritage Center’s collection of Walter Emerson Baum paintings. Baum was a wonderful friend to the Schwenkfelder Library and enabled library officials to acquire an excellent collection of his work during his lifetime. Thanks to generous donors, we’ve been able to add to the collection over the intervening years. We are delighted to present this retrospective of his work to our guests.

Warm and Bright: Artifacts for Warmth and Light from the Heritage Center Collection

Through March 31 Fraktur Gallery

In the chill and darkness of the Pennsylvania winter, our thoughts turn to bundling up at home and outdoors. Today we might adjust the thermostat or flip a light switch. Yester-day’s options were a bit more challenging. The Heritage Center has a wonderful collection of objects that were used to chase the chill and light the darkness in the 19th century. From printed buggy robes and wool quilts to an array of lamps and lanterns for the parlor and the barn, this exhibit explores the options available to rural Pennsylvania families for keeping warm and bright in their homes (and vehicles) in the cold winter months.

Wild and Mild – Christmas Putz Through March 15

Local History Gallery

An important component of the Heritage Center’s putz is always the huge collection of animals we have to draw upon for the display – so this year we’re going to feature them! The theme is “Wild and Mild” to show-case this amazing collection of wild and domestic min-iature animals from pre-World War II Germany, Austria, and England. Bring the children for a fun “I Spy” challenge that we’ll have available to play.

Late 19th century buggy or sleigh robe from the Heritage Center Collection

Within and Without: The Art of the Book

April 13 – September 30 Fraktur Gallery

Books take us to different times and places with the stories held within their pages, through beautiful prose and inspiring ideas. The books themselves, as well, can be things of great beauty that can be appreciated as objects as much as for their content. Visit the Heritage Center this spring and summer for a glimpse of some of the extraordi-nary holdings in our library collection – from the exquisite gems of fraktur bookplates to carefully tooled book bindings and meticulously engraved illustrations, and much more. It will be a feast for the eyes of every bibliophile!

New Acquisitions on Exhibit Through May 3

First Floor Galleries

For the next few months we’ll be giving visitors an opportunity to see some of the wonderful acquisitions we’ve received over the last year. We have some marvelous quilts to show you, plus some fraktur and other intriguing objects. Don’t miss this pop-up exhibit!

Heritage Headlines www.schwenkfelder.com Volume 19, Issue 1 3

THINGS ARE MOVING AHEAD IN BERTHELSDORF

This article appeared in the December 2015 edition of Schlesischer Gottesfreund, translated by Allen Viehmeyer.

On October 17, 2015, the members and friends of the “Schwenckfelder House Association in Berthelsdorf” met in the former Schwenkfelder meeting room in the house at 10 Upper Main Street, Berthelsdorf. The dwell-ing (next door) belonging to the house (to the left on the photo) has been nearly finished in the meantime. But the first mentioned building (to the right on the photo) has been well secured down to the final roofing layer and the formation of the outside walls.

Engineer Eberhard Winter from Görlitz, who led the restoration work from the beginning, reported on the long and often difficult path to reach that point. It was by no means an ordinary restoration – in past years the Gottesfreund reported regularly about the progress of the undertaking. In addition to preservation of construc-tion components that were still viable and the cautious replacement of those parts that could not be saved, the building had to be made as flood resistant as possible. To

reach this goal, the land around the house was lowered and the house was placed on a foundation base that had never existed previously. During a guided tour at the end of the report, the participants could imagine for them-selves how the work had gone ahead.

After a short coffee break Dr. Heinz-Peter Mielke, an expert on the history of the Schwenkfelders, made a presentation on Upper Lusatia and the life and times of Bartholomäus Scultetus, the significant 17th century Görlitz mayor and scholar.

The symbolic presentation of a check for funds from various sources, secured especially with the help of Mrs. Margrit Kempgen, made possible the significant progress in the restoration work, including the donation by the Savings Bank of Upper Lusatia and Lower Silesia. The closing annual meeting dealt with the usual business as well as plans for the coming year 2016 in regard to the restoration of the roof and finishing the interior and exterior walls of the second dwelling that still remains unfinished.

Looking for Artifacts for upcoming Upper Hanover Township Exhibit

The Heritage Center is developing an exhibit to celebrate Upper Hanover Township’s 275th anniversary, scheduled to open on June 5. We are looking for loans of objects for the exhibit – anything that was used or made in the town-ship from the time of the founding to the near present. Photographs are welcome also! Contact Candace Perry at 215-679-3103.

Penn Dry Goods Market Building Closures

Please note that there our building will be closed for visits of all kinds, including research, as we prepare for and hold the Penn Dry Goods Market.

The last day the building will be open it’s normal hours will be Sunday, May 8. The building will be closed to the public Tuesday – Thursday, May 10, 11, and 12. Only galleries will be open during Penn Dry Goods Market, Friday and Saturday, May 13 and 14. (Market entry fee applies for these two days). The building will also be closed on Sunday, May 15.

We will re-open to the public as usual on Tuesday, May 17. Thank you for your cooperation!

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We welcome children either on their own or accompa-nied by an adult. The cost is $5 per child.

The Pennsylvania Dutch Egg Tree Tuesday, March 8, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, and

Saturday, March 19, 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Easter is just around the corner! Let’s get ready with this fun craft in the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. We’ll learn a little history and some interesting facts about this tradition, read an old favorite children’s book about it, and then we’ll try making our own tree!

Book Artistry Tuesday, April 19, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, and

Saturday, April 30, 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Let’s take a look at our new exhibit, “Within and Without: The Art of the Book,” talk about the history of bookmaking, and make our own books.

Customize yours to suit your personality!

Spring has Sprung Tuesday, May 3, 1:30 – 3:00 pm, and

Saturday, May 7, 1:00 – 2:30 pm

Hooray! Let’s learn a bit of science while we talk about the seasons. While we’re talking about

growing, we’ll check out some of the old farm equipment here in our museum collection, and learn about how our area has been tied to the land and the seasons. Then we’ll play in the dirt for a bit, and pot up some spring flowers!

Local History Day Saturday, June 4, 1:00 – 2:30 pm, and

Tuesday, June 7, 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Join us for an exploration of the Upper Perkiomen area, with a focus on our new exhibit highlighting the 275th anniversary of Upper Hanover Township. Then we’ll move on to the future, and make a model of a house we think will exist 275 years from now.

For more information, please contact Museum Educator Maggie Buckwalter, 215-679-3103 or by email maggie@schwenkfelder.com.

AMERICAN GIRL® TEA AND HISTORY

At each of our teas we’ll learn about a featured character from American Girl®, what life was like for children in her time, and talk about a famous woman of the era. We’ll also do a craft and share

snacks of the time period. We welcome boys and girls to this fun, free way for all children to learn our past. Please note that we will alternate, month to month, between Thursday and Sunday afternoons for our teas. We hope this makes it easier for families’ schedules. Hope to see some new faces and our old friends!

THURSDAY, March 31, 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Another place in the U.S., same time period as the tea in February. How was life different for Kirsten, growing up on the prairie in 1854? Come join us to see!

SUNDAY, April 23, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Meet Mary Ellen Larkin, from Daytona Beach, Florida, and the year 1954.

THURSDAY, May 19, 4:30 – 5:30 pm

Let’s learn about the year 1944, and Molly from Jefferson, Illinois, and what life was like for kids on the homefront during WWII.

SUNDAY, June 5, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Featuring AG GIRL OF THE YEAR, Lea Clark, Brazil adventurer of today! With a World Wild-life Fund focus! For more information, please contact Museum Educator Maggie Buckwalter, 215-679-3103 or email maggie@schwenkfelder.com.

CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS

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Heritage Headlines

CHILDREN’S BOOK CLUB

At each book club meeting, children will share insights into the story, learn some history, share snacks and do a craft of the era. These books are an easy, and approachable way to learn history. There is a one-time joining fee of $2 for this program, which includes a journal for note taking while reading.

Sunday, March 20, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

In tandem with our American Girl character of the month, read about a child living on the prairie. We’ll talk about westward expansion with the Scholastic Book for younger readers, from the “My America” series, Meg’s Prairie Diaries, Book 1: As Far as I Can See, 1856, by Kate McMullan. We’ll have some pioneer food, talk about the book, and share some of our families’ stories about how and where they settled in America. Before we meet, ask your grandparents about their grandparents!

Sunday, April 24, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

We’re going to read from the new series from American Girl about our character of the month, Maryellen Larkin. The book will be the first in the series, The One and Only, by Valerie Tripp. This is a book that can be read with children as young as early elementary and older will enjoy learning about all the new “space aged” things of the 50s.

Sunday, May 22, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

My Secret War: The World War II Diary of Madeline Beck, Long Island, NY, 1941, by Mary Pope Osborne, (Scholastic). This book is aimed toward 4th-8th graders, but all are welcome upon parental review. What was life like for children in the time of rationing, victory gardens, and fears of Nazis landing on our shores? Read this exciting book and find out!

Sunday, June 12, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

Let’s learn about Lea Clark, the AG Girl of the Year! The first book in this new series is Lea Dives In, by Lisa Yee. How does Lea overcome her fears to start her new life as a rainforest explorer? Adventure awaits Lea and our readers!

For more information, please contact Museum Educator Maggie Buckwalter, 215-679-3103 or email maggie@schwenkfelder.com.

GERMAN AND LATIN LESSONS 2016

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced German and Latin classes are continuing through June for homeschoolers between 8 and 16 years old. These lessons emphasize vocabulary acquisition and use in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Latin students learn reading and writing. Students learn through activities such as crossword puzzles, search-a-word puzzles, scrabble, other games, music, and art projects. Intermediate and advanced students use textbooks as well. These classes are group lessons with some individual attention.

Classes are held on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 to 11:30 am and from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. Students may attend from 1 to 4 classes per week. The cost of each class (1½ hours) is $7. Monthly rates are available. For additional information and registration, contact Allen Viehmeyer 215-679-3103 or email allen@schwenkfelder.com.

March/April: 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 30, 1 (8 lessons $50/child)

April: 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29 (8 lessons $50/child)

May/June: 4, 6, 18, 20, 25, 27, 1, 3 (8 lessons $50/child)

Monthly Rates – Cost of Lessons per Child per Month: 1=$7; 4=$25 ($28); 8=$50 ($56); 12=$80 ($84); 16=$100 ($112) (Full price shown in parentheses)

Saturday lessons for public school children are available. These students have one lesson (1½ hours) each Saturday up to 4 lessons per month.

March 5, 12, 19, 26 (4 lessons $25) April 2, 9, 16, 23 (4 lessons $25) May/June 7, 21, 28, 4 (4 lessons $25)

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Summer Enrichment Camps at the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center

Summer is the time to head to the museum and learn about history, culture, language, and music! These camps will be co-taught by Maggie Buckwalter, museum educator, and Dr. Allen Viehmeyer, Associate Director of Research. For more information or to register, please contact Maggie at 215-679-3103 or email maggie@schwenkfelder.com. Mini Music Session

June 22, 23, 24; Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:00 – 11:00 am $15 for the three sessions/child

Musicians between the age of 9 and 15 who read music and have played an instrument for at least one school year are wanted for three days 10:00 – 11:00 am to play traditional children’s music as a group for fun. All instru-ments welcome; we have percussion instruments for anyone try. Bring your music stand! Music such as Y ankee Doodle; O Tannenbaum; Reide, Reide Geili will be provided at no charge. For more information contact Allen Viehmeyer at 215-679-3103 or email allen@schwenkfelder.com. Simple Machines/Roman History and Culture

Session I: Tuesday through Friday, July 12 – 15, 9:30 am – noon Session II: (same content) Tuesday, August 23 through Friday, August 26, 9:30 am – noon $20 per child for the session

Using a very popular childrens’ building toy, we’ll explore some of the basics of physics and take a closer look at levers, gears, pulleys and more! After we build our own models and understand the mechanics, we’ll check out examples of these machines in our museum collection. Later, we’ll take a walk far back in time to learn a little Latin, explore the art and culture of ancient Rome, and tie it together by seeing how Romans used those simple machines! We’ll even make our own catapult to take home! Snack will be provided.

Early Pennsylvania and the Birth of the U.S.A./American Folk Music

Session I: Tuesday through Friday, July 26 – 29, 9:30 am – noon Session II: (same content) Tuesday through Friday, August 16 – 19, 9:30 am – noon $20 per child for the session

How did our country get started? We’ll explore some of the history of our state, look at some of the early inhabitants of our area, immigrant groups, and talk about the birth of the nation. Let’s take a closer look at our museum collections and the important role our area played in Pennsylvania’s founding. Then all are welcome to play along in our American folk song “ensemble.” If you’ve played an instrument for a year or more, please bring it along, with a stand if you have it. Simple sheet music will be provided for some great children’s favorites. If you don’t play your own instrument, we have lots of fun percussion instruments to try! All are welcome to play along! Snack will be provided.

*** A coordinated field trip to historic sites in Philadelphia is in the works! Stay tuned for more information! ***

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Heritage Headlines

A Wonderful Variety of Lectures on Textile History

The Penn Dry Goods Market presents the most noted textile experts in the country together with some of our local historians offering a lecture program of great breadth and diversity. Each lecture is $25.00 ($30.00 at the door) and fill quickly! Pre-register for your choices by sending an email to joanne@schwenkfelder.com or call Joanne Jalowy at 215-679-3103. Registration is also available at any time online at www.schwenkfelder.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016

“In Pursuit of Lady-Like Arts:” Needlework from the Early South, Kimberly Smith Ivey, Curator, Textiles and Historic Interiors, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

The History of Rughooking from an Artist's Frame, Susan Feller, Author, Instructor and Patternmaker

Grace Kelly: Icon of Style, Kristina Haugland, Curator of Costume and Textiles, Philadelphia Museum of Art

“This Work Of Mine The World May View,” Dan & Marty Campanelli, Authors and Textile Curators

Over 200 Years of the History of American Embroidery, Sheryl De Jong, Author and Volunteer Curator, Smithsonian Institution

Old New England Quilts, Pamela Weeks, Binney Family Curator of the New England Quilt Museum

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2016

Embroidered Evidence: Samplers in the Revolutionary War Pension Files at the National Archives, Kathy Staples, Independent Scholar

“I shall soon have them done:” Four Decades of Needlework by Martha Washington, Susan P. Schoelwer, Ph.D., Robert H. Smith Senior Curator, George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Patchwork Fever, Deborah Kraak, Independent Museum Professional

Woolwork Samplers of the Lehigh Valley, Kathy Lesieur, Independent Researcher

The Apple Pie Ridge Star, Mary Robare, Independent Researcher

Sponsorship Opportunities Abound!

Join our growing list of sponsors for the May 13 – 14, 2016 Penn Dry Goods Market and enjoy the special promotional opportunities and benefits of this unique event!

We thank and recognize the following sponsors for this year’s Penn Dry Goods Market received at press time:

SLHC Board of Directors: Friday Reception Sponsor First Niagara Bank: Program Book Sponsor Harleysville Savings Bank: Textile History Lecture Sponsor Corinne H. Machmer: Textile History Lecture Sponsor Lois McClintock: Textile History Lecture Sponsor Variable Star Quilters: Raffle Sponsor

We and our readers look forward to seeing your name in our next newsletter among our sponsors!

The sponsorship deadline is March 31, 2016. Don’t delay – call 215-679-3103 or contact rachel@schwenkfelder.com today!

For our Penn Dry Goods Market textile fans, we’ll also be featuring our Schwenkfelder Townscape wool-embroidered pictures in the ground floor galleries, accompanied by artifacts that are depicted in the Townscapes. It’s “I Spy” on a grand scale!

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EXPLORING PLACE, TIME, AND MEMORY By Joyce C. Munro

I am researching a place that no longer exists on maps, trying to discover how much impact it had in the past. Branchville, a community along the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek and the Sumneytown and Spring House Turnpike, had an omnibus stagecoach line in the 19th century that ran from Sumneytown to North Wales. It even had a commercial area. Later called Bergey, that name lives now only in the memory of a few.

For my research – I hope to complete a book about this place by the end of the year – the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has a wonderful collection of primary sources. I have been using account books and early local 19th century newspapers including Der Bauern Freund of Sumneytown and Der Neutralist und Allgemein Neuigkeits-Bote of Skippack. I found a store account book of the Smith brothers, one of whom went on to establish commercial sites in Branchville. The Heritage Center has an amazing set of Der Bauern Freund. All these provide invaluable information and context for my essays, which are place explorations of time and memory.

I am grateful to the Schwenkfelder library for its careful preservation of these primary sources. I continue

to appreciate that it has carefully collected scholarly works that span the gamut of study of early America, in particular Pennsylvania, and its theological and cultural roots. I am thankful to be able to use the many volumes and notebooks here that I have not found elsewhere.

Hunt Schenkel and Allen Viehmeyer, Schwenkfelder library archivist and researcher, are immensely helpful. Everything is in such good order! Also wonderful experiences for me are day conferences and exhibits under the direction of curator Candace Perry. I have enjoyed the quality of expertise at these events and with these people at the Heritage Center. I am glad to support it with my gift.

CONGRATULATIONS JOE AND KAY!

We congratulate Joe and Kay Bachkai for the recognition they received from the Boyertown Area Historical Society. This article was in the society’s most recent newsletter:

“At the December 2, 2015 program meeting, President Brian Quigley presented a plate to members Joe and Kay Bachkai. This plate was to recognize the many years of service they have given to the Belsnickel Craft Show. Their hard work over the years for the craft show has been vital to the success of the event. Thank you both Joe and Kay for your continued efforts for the Belsnickel and your continued support for our organization!”

In addition to their active participation in Boyertown, Joe and Kay are long-time volunteers here at the Heritage Center.

VOLUNTEERS: WATCH YOUR MAILBOXES!

Each year the Heritage Center recognizes our wonderfully faithful volunteers for all their hard work and dedication. This year, we are holding our brunch on Saturday, April 16, at 10:00 am.

Invitations will be sent in March and we’ll be waiting for your RSVP shortly thereafter to reserve your seat!

Be on the lookout for your invitation so you don’t miss our fun time of good food, fellowship, and wonderful music.

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New to the Library

Genealogical Record of the Pfatteicher, Spaeth, Jacoby, Linaka families, written and donated by Philip H. Pfatteicher.

Sladami Fedora Sommera=Auf den Spuren von Fedor Sommer, edited and donated by Josef Zaprucki.

300 Years of Faith and Fellowship: The Story of The West Swamp Mennonite Church by Maynard M. Shelly and Lee James Irwin, donated by West Swamp Mennonite Church.

Jacob Detweiler (1690-1768) Family History. Donated by Frances Witte.

Books donated by Nancy Roan:

American Quilts and Coverlets: A History of a Charming Native Art, Together with a Manual of Instruction for Beginners by Florence Peto.

For the Joy of it: Appliqué Quilts from the Judy Roche Collection, Brandywine River Museum.

How Sweet it is (and was): The History of Candy by Ruth Freeman Swain

New to the Archives:

Keely family bible, donated by Ralph Walters

Memorial fraktur, sustaining member, Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Scheid, of the Century Club of Perkiomen School, June 30, 1980, donated by Margaret Scheid

Addition to family papers, donated by Mary Beyer

Krupp family photographs, donated by Jack Kratz

Minnie Kriebel Bobb’s 1903 Worcester, Montgomery County, public school diploma, donated by Connie Barnes

Some Berks County photographs of Lewis N. Rohrbach, ca. early 20th, donated by Kenneth R. Feichtl

Hasson family papers and documents, donated by Nancy Roan

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE ARCHIVES AND LIBRARY, SPRING 2016

After nearly a century of fruitless searching, copies of some of the Schwenkfelder petitions for tolerance presented to the Emperor Charles VI in the 1720s have been found!

Almost immediately after the Jesuit missionaries appeared in Harpersdorf at the close of 1719, Christopher Hoffmann, his son Balthasar, and Balthasar Hoffrichter traveled to Vienna Austria to plead for tolerance and the right to worship according to their consciences. According to Balthasar Hoffmann’s memoir-like account of his travels to the Imperial Court in Vienna (Tumultuous Years, pp. 38–47) the Schwenkfelder delegation presented the Emperor seventeen petitions for patience and tolerance in the course of five years. Finally, the Emperor firmly refused any further petitions. When it was clear that no relief would be coming from the Emperor, the Schwenkfelders gradually abandoned their homes and animals in Harpersdorf to take up residence on the estates of Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf.

With the vast number of eighteenth century documents that have survived there has long been a question about what happened to the petitions presented at the Imperial Court in Vienna, since no trace of them has ever been found despite searches in Vienna and Silesia. While working with Professor Dr. Weigelt on

his new book on the Schwenkfelders, he sent me an email with a request to find George Weiss’ “Kurtzer Entwurff” and send him a copy. While looking through an old manuscript volume of miscella-neous documents for the one by Weiss, my eye caught sight of the large words “An Ihr Römische Kaÿl …” at the top of a page. I wondered what document was being addressed to the Kaiser (Emperor). After quickly surveying the page I decided this document had to be a petition for tolerance. But there was not a copy of just one, but rather

four petitions. What a find after all these years! – Not in Vienna, but right here in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center.

– Allen Viehmeyer

DISCOVERY!

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SPRING LECTURE SERIES

As is our custom, we are offering a variety of lectures in various formats. The popular Brown Bag (BB) lunches are held on the second Wednesday of each month at noon. Bring your lunch – beverages provided – and enjoy a free lecture while you eat. These programs are free and open to the public.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE SCHWENKFELDER

LIBRARY & HERITAGE CENTER Sunday, April 3, 2016, 2:00 pm

BRUNNER’S BAKERY AND HOME DELIVERY

BACK PORCH SEMINAR Sunday, April 3, 2016

2:30 pm – Immediately after the Annual meeting

The retail route salesman, those skilled sellers or hucksters, brought dairy products, baked goods, meats, and other items directly to your door. The regular visit of the home delivery driver-salesman provided one with the ease of shopping at home while spending a few minutes with a friend. It was an opportunity to share local items of interest, gossip, or hold solid debate on just about any issue.

Many folks remember the Metros, Divcos, and other unique looking vehicles that made up the fleets

of the local businesses. The milkman made his delivery in the early hours. The baker brought fresh bread and sweet treats that were guaranteed to enhance kitchen tables (and waist-lines). The butcher couldn’t bring his products into your

home for display, so he used his peculiar sounding horn to summon you to his vehicle.

One of the local businesses that gave us home delivery was Brunner’s Bakery. Located at 246-248 Main Street in East Greenville, it was operated by Christian, John, and Joseph Brunner, Jr. for forty-two years.

According to a newspaper account, they came to East Greenville in 1927 when the bakery was purchased from Robert G. Mohr. They took it from a horse-drawn wagon business in 1927 to a thriving enterprise that employed over 100 area residents in the 1960s. The bakery ceased operations in 1969 and was sold a year later to a Philadelphia-based wholesale baking business.

Continued on page 11

Wednesday, March 9, noon Highlights of Mennonite Fraktur in the Schwenkfelder

Library & Heritage Center Collection Presented by Forrest Moyer

Forrest Moyer, archivist at the Mennonite Heritage Center, Harleysville, recently spent six months cataloging Mennonite-related fraktur in the collection of the SLHC and the MHC, under a grant from the Clemens Family Corporation. His work uncovered interesting new details about some pieces in the SLHC collection and explored the relationship between Mennonite and Schwenkfelder fraktur art, particularly in the Skippack-Worcester community.

Wednesday, April 13, noon How the Pretzel Survived Prohibition,

and other Twisted Tales Presented by Candace Perry

One of the most significant contribu-tions of the Pennsylvania Germans to the

American food is the pretzel. But when “zwei lager und ein pretzel” (two beers and a pretzel) were outlawed, the fate of the pretzel may have been doomed. SLHC curator Candace Perry will discuss how the pretzel survived prohibition and became one of America’s favorite snack foods, plus a brief history of pretzel making in Pennsylvania and more in this illustrated lecture.

***NOTE: No May BB Lecture due to Penn Market***

Wednesday, June 8, noon David Schultz:

Recently Discovered Diaries for 1743 and 1744 Presented by Allen Viehmeyer

Since Andy Berky published the Journals and Papers of David Shultze in 1952 and 1953, diaries for 1743 and 1744 were discovered at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1989. This presentation summarizes what Schultz wrote about his farming activities as well as his records of Schwenkfelders and events near and far in these two unpublished diaries.

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Spring 2016 Programs and Events

May 13, 14 Penn Dry Goods Market

May 19 – 4:30 pm American Girl Tea and History

May 22 – 2:00 pm Children’s Book Club

June 4 – 1:00 pm and June 7 – 1:30 pm Children’s Workshop: Local History Day

June 5 – 2:00 pm American Girl Tea and History

June 8 – noon BB Lecture: David Schultz: New Diaries

June 12 – 2:00 pm Children’s Book Club

June 22, 23, 24 – 10:00 am Mini Music Summer Camp

July 12 – 15 and Aug 23 – 26, 9:30 am Simple Machines/Roman History Camp

July 17 – 2:00 pm Donor Appreciation Reception

July 26 – 29 and Aug 16 – 19, 9:30 am Summer Camp

Through March 15 Wild and Mild – Christmas Putz Local History Gallery

Through March 31 Warm and Bright: Artifacts for Warmth and Light from the Heritage Center Collection Fraktur Gallery

Through April 25 The Art of Walter E. Baum Meeting Room

Through May 3 New Acquisitions on Exhibit First Floor Galleries

April 13 – September 30 Within and Without: The Art of the Book Fraktur Gallery

Spring 2016 Exhibits

Mar 8 – 1:30 pm and Mar 19 – 1:00 pm Children’s Workshop: The PA Dutch Egg Tree

Mar 9 – noon BB Lecture: Mennonite Fraktur in the SLHC Collection

Mar 20 – 2:00 pm Children’s Book Club

Mar 31 – 4:30 pm American Girl Tea and History

Apr 3 – 2:30 pm Friends Back Porch Seminar: Brunner’s Bakery

Apr 13 – noon BB Lecture: How the Pretzel Survived Prohibition

Apr 19 – 1:30 pm and Apr 30 – 1:00 pm Children’s Workshop: Book Artistry

Apr 23 – 2:00 pm American Girl Tea and History

Apr 24 – 2:00 pm Children’s Book Club

May 3 – 1:30 pm and May 7 – 1:00 pm Children’s Workshop: Spring has Sprung

May 10, 11, 12, 15 BUILDING CLOSED TO PUBLIC

BRUNNER’S BAKERY AND HOME DELIVERY

Continued from page 10

This “Back Porch Seminar” will present an opportunity to hear from a panel of people who served the community with home deliveries. Hear about the challenges and adventures they faced as they made their deliveries, and some of the amusing stories that they accumulated during their years of service.

The panel will be moderated by Larry Roeder, who worked as a driver’s helper in the early 1960s. The panel will include Joe Brunner, who worked as a driver-salesmen and was a son of one of the original co-owners, Joseph Brunner. In addition, Neil Brunner, driver-salesman and baker who is the son of another of the original co-owners, John Brunner.

Also on the panel will be men who worked as drivers and drivers helpers: Harold Schultz, a helper in the 1940s; Rob-ert Christman, a helper from 1949 through 1952; and Arlen Christman, who worked as a driver from 1960 through 1964.

This seminar promises to be a nostalgic and fun-filled trek into the past. The public is invited and refreshments will be served.

www.schwenkfelder.com Volume 19, Issue 1

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12 YOUR GIFT CAN HELP US MEET OUR $15,000

ANNUAL FUND CHALLENGE

This is a great time to make your gift to the Heritage Center! Our 2015/2016 Annual Fund campaign is in its final weeks. A generous donor has challenged us with a $15,000 match to help us meet and exceed our goal. This is where you come in! Please use the enclosed gift form and envelope to make your gift today.

Remember, your gift can be given in honor or memory of a loved one or special occasion. You can also find the form and a link to PayPal on our website, if that’s more convenient for you. Corporate matching gifts are a welcome addition!

We gifts received by March 31, 2016, when the Annual Fund campaign concludes! We rely upon the support of generous friends and donors like you to preserve and present our unique collection, provide ongoing education, and keep the welcoming doors of the Heritage Center open free for all our visitors!

Scherenschnitte from SLHC collection

2016 Grundsau Lodge for Children