To the best of our research with the help of the numerous resources listed at the end of this section, we have compiled a listing of Annual Meeting Presentations since the inception of the Schwenkfelder Exile Society in 1921 to present day. There are numerous issues of the Exile Herald missing from our files, so if anyone has any copies they would like to share with us to help update this listing, please contact us at exile@schwenkfelder.org.
1921 Apr 29
“The initial meeting of the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles was held in the assembly hall of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on Friday evening, April twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and twenty-one”6 with 180 persons present.
Mr. Hampton Lawrence Carson “discussed in a broad way ‘the position which Schwenkfeld’s singularly illustrious and productive life occupied in that larger movement of events which led to the selection of Pennsylvania as an asylum for the oppressed and persecuted of all races and all creeds, and which has made Pennsylvania the Keystone State and the most representative American State in the Union.’” 4
1921 Oct 08
Judge William W. Porter “pointed out that Silesia, the home of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles, had never been an independent State, but had been under the jurisdiction of other adjacent countries; e.g., Poland and Germany.”4
Prof. Samuel K. Brecht read extracts from “Letters written by the Schwenkfelders to the Mennonites in Holland from 1722 to 1726.”4
Held at home of Judge John Faber Miller, Norristown, PA
1922 Apr 19
The Beginnings of Pennsylvania – Dr. Thomas L. Montgomery (librarian of the Historical Library of Pennsylvania)
Dr. E. E. S. Johnson “gave an account of the valuable manuscripts, souvenirs and heirlooms that were exhibited in an adjoining room and which were loaned for the occasion by the Schwenkfelder Historical Library.”4
1922 Nov 10
The School System of The Early Schwenkfelders – Dr. O. S. Kriebel
Reformers by Force – and by Practice – Hon. John Weaver (Ex-Mayor of Philadelphia)
Held in Philadelphia, PA; presumably at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1923 May 12
Hon. J. Ambler Williams, Associate Judge of the Montgomery County, Pa., Courts, “gave the address of welcome in which he stressed the many historical events of Montgomery County during the Colonial period.”4
The Exiles Still Instruct Us – Herbert Heebner Smith
The Migrations of the Schwenkfelders – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht
Held at home of Mr. & Mrs. Henry S. Kriebel, Ninth and Church Street, North Wales, PA
1923 Nov 09
Balzer Hoffman (1687-1775) – Rev. Harvey K. Heebner (Pastor, First Schwenkfelder Church of Philadelphia, PA)
Immigration of Religious Sects – Mrs. James Starr (President, Pennsylvania Chapter of the Colonial Dames of America)
Held in Philadelphia, PA; presumably at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1924 May 11
The German Redemptioners – Cheesman A. Herrick, Ph.D., L.L.D. (President of Girard College, Philadelphia, PA)
The Heritage of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht, Litt.D.
Held at Schwenkfelder Historical Library on the campus of Perkiomen School, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1924 Nov 14
“. . . Judge William W. Porter stressed the historic happening . . . , namely, the proclamation issued by Frederick William, saying to those who came to America—‘Come back; we will give you back all you left behind, restore your property and reinstate you in all ways.’”4
Pennsylvania as a Mecca for the Exiles of European Oppression in the Eighteenth Century – Dr. George P. Donehoo (former State Librarian and a Presbyterian clergyman)
The Job of Being an Ancestor – Hon. Benjamin H. Ludlow, Esq. (member of Pennsylvania State Legislature and author of Ludlow Bill)
Held in Philadelphia, PA; presumably at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1925 May 23
The Schwenkfelders in Pennsylvania – Rev. Dr. William J. Hinke (professor in Auburn Theological Seminary, Auburn, NY)
“Brief addresses were also given by the President, Dr. Anders, Dr. E. E. S. Johnson, and . . . Judge William Wagner Porter.”4
Held at Schwenkfelder Historical Library on the campus of Perkiomen School, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1925 Nov 20
Opening address by Dr. Anders.
Hon. John Faber Miller (President Judge of the Montgomery County Court) “cited numerous instances where the graves of immigrant ancestors and the homes and sites of historical events are sadly neglected by the descendants of those who made these sites historic.”3
Penn’s First Charter – Hon. Franklin Spencer Edmonds, Esq. (Chairman of the State Tax Commission; member Pennsylvania State Legislature)
Held at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1926 Jun 05
200th Anniversary of the Schwenkfelder flight from the Harpersdorf area
From Silesia to Pennsburg: 1726-1926. Pageant consisting of ten scenes, five depicting the life of our ancestors in Europe, and five after they arrived in America. Between the two groups of scenes, Dr. E. E. S. Johnson gave “an illustrated and illuminating talk on Silesia, and Mrs. Irene Maxwell, who had just returned from a visit to points of particular interest in that country, also spoke on that occasion.”4
Held in Gymnasium, Perkiomen School, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1926 Nov 19
The Strife for Individuality – Hon. Joseph Buffington (President Judge of U.S. Circuit Court, Philadelphia, PA)
Kaspar von Schwenckfeld, His Life, Christology and Theology – Hon. Charles Beatty Alexander (patron of education, philanthropist, President of the State Society of the Cincinnati, PA)
Glimpses of the Fatherland – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht
Held at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1927 Jun 04
At Valley Forge – Dr. James M. Anders
Rev. Dr. W. Herbert Burk, D.D. (“bishop of that shrine”3) “expressed the view that Schwenkfeldians fit in exactly with the spirit of Valley Forge, which is ‘the supreme spirit of service through sacrifice.’”4
William H. Kirkpatrick (Judge of the U.S. Federal Court for the Eastern District of PA)
The Part Played by the Exile Descendants in the History of Valley Forge – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht, Litt.D.
Held at Washington Memorial Chapel, Valley Forge Park, Valley Forge, PA
1927 Nov 18
The Schwenkfelders and Frederick the Great – Hon. Chester N. Farr, Jr., Esq. (Philadelphia Bar)
Revolutionary Landmarks in the Schwenkfelder Territory – Edward W. Hocker (Associate Editor, Germantown Independent-Gazette)
Held at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1928 May 26
Pioneers in American Ideals – Prof. Charles K. Meschter (Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA)
The Place of Landing of the Immigrant Exiles in 1734 – Mrs. John L. Farrell (society governor)
Salford, an Historical Center of the Exiles – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht
Held at Salford Meeting House, Fretz Road, Salford, PA
1928 Nov 16
Glimpses of Silesia – Rev. Lester K. Kriebel
Exiles in Pennsylvania History – Hon. Frederic A. Godcharles (Pennsylvania State Librarian and Director of State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA)
Held at Assembly Hall, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Thirteenth and Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA
1929 Jun 01
Ancestry and Civilization – Dr. George L. Omwake (President, Ursinus College)
Early German Newspapers in Pennsylvania – Herman L. Collins (Inquirer’s “Girard”)
Held at Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
1929 Nov 15
Some Characteristics of the Immigration to the Colonies in the Eighteenth Century – Herman V. Ames (Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania)
The Pilgrim Spirit – Rev. Charles W. Carroll, D.D.
Held at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1930 May 24
Pilgrimage to Methacton Mennonite Meeting House Cemetery, Worcester Township; Hans Christopher Heebner Cemetery, on farm of Oswin Kriebel, east of Cedars; Christopher Wagner Cemetery, on farm of John K. Heebner, Worcester
Traditions, Genealogical and Historical, of the John K. Heebner Homestead, in Worcester, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania – Rev. Harvey K. Heebner (Pastor, First Schwenkfelder Church, George Street, Philadelphia, PA)
Abraham Wagner, the Pioneer Physician and Philanthropist – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht
Presentations at John K. Heebner farm, Worcester, PA
1930 Nov 21
The Importance of Preserving Traditions – Josiah H. Penniman, Ph.D., Litt.D., L.H.D. (Provost of the University of Pennsylvania)
Memorial Markers in the Homeland – Rolland G. Johnson
Held at Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Locust and Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA
1931 Jun 06
Pilgrimage to churches and cemeteries in the Perkiomen region including Kraussdale, Hosensack, Hans Heinrick Yeakle, Washington cemeteries
Descendants, Yes: Ascendants – Rev. Elmer F. Krauss (Lutheran Theological Seminary of Chicago)
Dr. Elmer E. S. Johnson (professor of Church History of Hartford Theological Seminary) “gave an interesting account of some of the successful and influential Schwenkfelders who received their early training in the Hereford Meeting and who later had great influence in the making of Pennsylvania history.”4
John Krauss and the Hosensack Academy – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht
Presentations held at Palm Schwenkfelder Church, Gravel Pike, Palm, PA
1931 Nov 13
Tenth Anniversary Meeting of the Society
“Dr. Anders prepared and delivered a lengthy review of the society during the ten-year period.”9
William Penn and His Attitude Toward Peace – William Wistar Comfort, Ph.D., Litt.D., LL.D. (President, Haverford College)
Held at Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
1932 May 14
First part of the program: Several selections of German songs
Early Religious Poets Among the Schwenkfelders – Helen Schultz Cook
Then “50 voices in a choir, the pick of all the Schwenkfelders within fifty miles.”3
Held at Palm Schwenkfelder Church, Gravel Pike, Palm, PA
1932 Nov 18
The Folk Art of the Pennsylvania Dutch – Cornelius Weygandt, Ph.D. (Professor of English, University of Pennsylvania)
Why I Am Glad I’m a Schwenkfelder – Mrs. Katherine Rittenhouse
How to Build a Family Tree – John M. Schultz
Held at Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Philadelphia, PA
1933 May 27
Governor John Frederick Hartranft, Schwenkfeldian – James M. Anders, M.D., LL.D.
Held at Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
1933 Nov 17
Education in Colonial Pennsylvania – Charles C. Ellis, Ph.D., D.D. (President, Juniata College)
Christopher Heydrick, the Schwenkfelder Jurist and Benefactor – Prof. Samuel K. Brecht, Litt.D.
Plans for the Celebration of the Bi-Centennial of the Arrival of Schwenkfelder Exiles in Pennsylvania – Wayne C. Meschter
Held at Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, Broad and Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1934 May 26
The Eternal Gospel – A Religion of the Spirit – Rufus M. Jones, Ph.D., LL.D. (Professor of Philosophy, Haverford College)
The European Pilgrimage – Wayne C. Meschter
Held at Salford Schwenkfelder Meeting House, Fretz Road, Salford, PA
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SCHWENKFELDER BICENTENNIAL SERVICES SEPTEMBER 22 through SEPTEMBER 24 Sponsored by the General Conference of the Schwenkfelder Church with the Exile Society being apprised so they could coordinate their Fall meeting
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1934 Sep 22
2:00 p.m. Special Program as part of the Schwenkfelder Bicentennial Services September 22 through September 24
Commemorating the Landing of the Schwenkfelders, 1731-1737 ● Unveiling of the Tablet. “The tablet is to be erected on the corner of the Webb Building, across Delaware Avenue from Pier 10.”1
“Program includes Address by Mayor Moore and reading of names of Exiles who died on the voyage.”1
Held at Webb Building, near Pier 10, South Wharves, Delaware Avenue and Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
“This meeting and the tablet to be unveiled constitute the main part that the Society as such is taking in the Schwenkfelder Bi-centennial program.”1
1935 Spring
“Mr. Oscar Schultz showed his movies of the cemetery monument unveilings and of the pageant.”9
Held at ? ?
1935 Nov 15
Pennsylvania German Illuminated Manuscripts – Henry S. Borneman, Esq. (Secretary of the Pennsylvania German Society)
Some Impressions of Germany – Miss Elinor Brecht
Greatness Through Service – Rev. George P. Williams, D.D. (retired Secretary of Missions of the American Sunday School Union)
Held at Bellevue-Stratford Hotel1, 200 S. Broad Street at Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA? or Old Customs House9, Chestnut Street, between 4th & 5th street, Philadelphia, PA
1936 May 23
Conrad Weiser, A Perplexed Christian – Arthur D. Graeff, M.S., Ed.D. (Instructor in History, Overbrook High School, Philadelphia, PA)
Held at Historical Library, Pennsburg, PA
1937 May 22
“The meeting will be in five parts . . . 1. Gather in churchyard of Methacton Mennonite Meeting House near Fairview Village. . . . 2, 3, 4. Visit three Schwenkfelder homesteads. . . . One of the homes will be that of Rev. Melchior Schultz near Center Point. Used as Washington’s headquarters. . . . 5. Meeting in Salford church . . . with address by G. Edwin Brumbaugh, ‘Colonial Architecture of the Pennsylvania Germans’ . . . . Mr. Brumbaugh is the son of the late Gov. Martin G. Brumbaugh, a descendant of Abraham Beyer (E 184).”1
1938 Nov 18
Address by William Mather Lewis, LL.D., Litt.D., L.H.D. (President of Lafayette College; President, Huguenot Society of Pennsylvania)
Held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Broad and Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1939 Nov 17
Content of the Schwenkfelder Historical Library – Rev. Lester K. Kriebel
Germans in Pennsylvania – Richard Harrison Shryock, Ph.D. (Prof. of American History, University of Pennsylvania)
Held at Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, 200 S. Broad Street at Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1940 May 25
Conrad Beissel and His Community of Mystics at Ephrata – The Rev. Walter C. Klein
Held at Salford Meeting House
1940 Nov 15
The Central Idea of the Spiritual Reformers – Rufus M. Jones, D.D.
Held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Broad and Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1942 May 23
Miss Ann Hark “will tell of the Amish and the Dunkers and others who formed the back bone of this state.”3
Held at Salford Meeting House
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“Because of war-time gas rationing, spring meetings usually held in the country were eliminated from 1942 to 1945. Spring meetings were resumed with the 1946 meeting held at Salford Meeting House.”9
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1942 Fall
“Dr. Wilbur I. Thomas of the foundation . . . gave an interesting resume of the history of the building [Old Customs House] and the work to restore it and open it to the public.”9
Held at Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1943 Fall
? ?
Held at Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA9
1944 Dec 09
Influences of William Penn – Dr. William W. Comfort
Held at Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1945 Nov 03
The Democracy Which They Preferred – Ralph Cooper Hutchison (President, Lafayette College)
Held at Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1946 Spring
The Ephrata Cloister Restoration – G. Edwin Brumbaugh (architect)
Held at Salford Meeting House
1946 Fall
The Religious Challenge in American Citizenship Today – Rev Andrew Mutch (Minister Emeritus, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church)
Held at Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1947
No Annual Meetings. “At this time the Harpersdorf refuge relief project held the attention of the Schwenkfelder community and the governors [of the Exile Society] decided to dispense with the meeting and turn the money so saved over to the relief fund.”9
1948 Nov 13
“Wayne Meschter . . . this summer flew to Germany and for several weeks visited with many of the 1400 folks who have been fed and in large part clothed for two years by Schwenkfeldians in this country”1 and “showed color movies of the refugees and their circumstances taken during his and Spencer’s inspecton trip to Germany.”5
Held at Old Customs House, 420 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
1949 Spring
A Goodly Heritage – Millard E. Gladfelter (Provost, Temple University)
Held at Salford Meeting House
1950/1951
No Annual Meetings9
1952 Spring
“By 1952 the Schwenkfelder Historical Library collections had been moved into the new Schwenkfelder Library building. . . . The Exile Society adopted the library as its headquarters . . . [as] interests and objectives of the two organizations closely paralleled each other.”9
Andy Berky displayed some interesting items from the library collection.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1953 Spring
The Place in America of Things Pennsylvania Dutch – Cornelius Weygandt
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1954 Spring?
Some Reflections on Pennsylvania House Blessings – Henry S. Bornemann Esq.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1955 May 14
Pennsylvania Dutch Decorated Barns – Guy Reinert (former Secretary of Pennsylvania German Folklore Society)
“A special report to the Society from Siegfried Knoerrlich on the present circumstances and current conditions among the Harpersdorf refugees in Central and Western Germany.”1
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1956 Spring?
Bird Lore among the Pennsylvania Dutch – Rev. William J. Rupp
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1957 Spring?
The Pennsylvania Way of Life – Olive Zehner (Curator, Ephrata Cloisters and folk art editor of The Pennsylvania Dutchman)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1958 Spring?
“An illustrated talk by Andrew Berky on his trip to Germany in the interests of the Corpus publication.”9
1959 May 09
The Restoration of Famous Philadelphia Landmarks (The Philadelphia Mall) – Samuel T. Edgerton (Perkiomen School Art Instructor; former Fulbright Fellow to Lingen Gymnasium, Germany)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1960 Spring?
“An illustrated talk by W. Kyrel Meschter reporting on a goodwill tour of the Holy Land.”9
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1961 Oct 14
Andrew Berky reported “on his visit to the old Schwenkfelder homelands in Silesia, at this time a part of Poland, behind the iron curtain.”9
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1962 Fall
The Meeting House Tradition in Pennsylvania – Dr. Don Yoder (Professor of Religious Thought, University of Pennsylvania)
Salford Schwenkfelder Meeting House, Fretz Road, Salford, PA
1963 Fall
“Fritz Eberhard addressing the fine art of bookbinding, on which he is a nationally recognized authority.”9
Held at Kraussdale Meeting House, Kraussdale Road, East Greenville, PA
1964 Fall
? ?
1965 Aug 08
“This is the 200th anniversary of the location of a Schwenkfelder School at the site of the Hosensack Meeting House. It is also the 175th anniversary of the construction of the first place for public worship built by the Schwenkfelders in America. The first services in this log building, also at Hosensack, were held on August 8, 1790. Brief descriptive papers will be presented on the early history of these enterprises.”1
Held at Hosensack Meeting House, Yeakel Road & Hosensack Road, Palm, PA
1966 Oct 09
“An illustrated lecture on the Schwenkfelder Treasure Book by Marcus Aurelius Mensch, son of the original engrosser and illuminator, the late Irwin P. Mensch.”1
“A brief paper on the 175th anniversary of the construction of the Washington Meeting House.”1
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1967 Fall
An “historical sketch of the Krauss family organ builders by Ella Krauss Althouse and a historical sketch of the Kraussdale Meeting House by society vice-president, Eugene Arlen Schultz, son of Dr. Selina Schultz.”9
Held at Kraussdale Meeting House
1968-1974
No Annual Meetings9
1975 Sep 20
Silesia After 250 Years – Rev. Jack Rothenberger “illustrating his talk with slides taken during the 1972 pilgrimage.”9
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1976 Sep 19
The plaque commemorating the site of the landing of the 1734 immigrants, which had been removed from the Webb Building (scheduled for demolition for construction of the new Interstate 95 highway and the Penn’s Landing promenade), had been remounted on a column of the Penn’s Landing development and on this day was dedicated with the Hon. Richard S. Schweiker giving the dedicatory address.
1976 Oct 09
Germanic Furniture – Europe and America – Monroe Fabian (Associate Curator, National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1977 Oct 22
Europe and Silesia Today (an account of our trip in August) – Dr. Fritz Richter
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1978 Oct 28
Christopher Wiegner’s Diary – Dr. Peter C. Erb
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1979 Oct 27
Journalism in Pennsylvania Among Our German Ancestors – Dr. Alexander Waldenrath
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1980 Oct 25
Traveling with the Schwenkfelders Through Two Centuries – Dr. L. Allen Viehmeyer (author of The Turbulent Years)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1981 Sep 26
Harpersdorf – Dr. Fritz K. Richter
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1982 Sep 25
The Schwenkfelders’ Trap Rock Country (describing region our forefathers chose to settle) – Dr. Richard E. Myers
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1983 Sep 24
Show and Tell – members encouraged to bring and talk about antiques with Schwenkfelder histories and/or stories presided over by Gerald and Helen Kriebel
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
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“COLLOQUIUM ON SCHWENCKFELD AND THE SCHWENKFELDERS” SEPTEMBER 17 through SEPTEMBER 23, 1984
Celebrating 250 Years of Schwenkfelders in the United States
and
100 Years Since the Start of the Corpus Schwenkfeldianorum.
Sponsored by the Schwenkfelder Library
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1984 Sep 2
Special Program as Part of the “Colloquium on Schwenckfeld and the Schwenkfelders”, September 17 through September 23
Fraktur Collection in the Schwenkfelder Library – Rev. Frederick Weiser (noted authority on Pennsylvania German Frakturs)
Held at Palm Schwenkfelder Church, Gravel Pike, Palm, PA
1985 Sep 21
Indian Civilizations of the Delaware Valley – Wayne Payne Lamar Mumbauer (expert on local Indians) will “guide visitors through the museum’s extensive Indian collection.”1
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1986 Oct 18
Early Colonial Shipbuilding and Shipboard Life – Jack Tepper (marine artist, maritime and whaling history lecturer) talked about how life would have been for the Schwenkfelder immigrants traveling down the Elbe River and on board the St. Andrew crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1987 Oct 24
Is It Old? – Albert T. Gamon (Director of Peter Wentz Farmstead, Worcester, PA)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1988 Oct 15
Treasures of the Schwenkfelder Library – Dr. Peter C. Erb (Associate Director of Schwenkfelder Library; Professor of Religion/Culture, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1989 Sep 23
Caspar Schwenckfeld, Religious Freedom, and the Modern World – Dr. Emmet McLaughlin (author of Caspar Schwenckfeld, Reluctant Radical; Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Villanova University)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1990 Oct 20
Schwenkfelder Motif Samplers – Tandy Hersh (historic needlework expert researching embroidered wedding handkerchiefs and decorated towels; helped author several Pennsylvania German publications on historic needlework)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1991 Oct 19
The Fraktur Collection in the Schwenkfelder Library – Rev. Dr. Martha B. Kriebel and Dennis K. Moyer
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1992 Oct 17
Yesteryear in Pennsylvania Dutchland – John R Dale (mechanical engineer, woodcarving)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1993 Oct 16
The Viehweg at Harpersdorf and Berthelsdorf in the 1700’s and Today – Dr. Claude A. Schultz, Jr., and Lee Schultz
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1994 Oct 15
Perkiomen School Tour – Carol S. Dougherty, Director of Admission
Held at Perkiomen School, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1995 Oct 14
Modern Day Visit to Lower Silesia – Dr. William Dresher
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1996 Oct 12
Schwenkfelders Reminiscing About Schwenkfelders of Yesteryear – Dr. Jack Rothenberger (Moderator) and panel consisting of Paul Bieler, Waldo Johnson, Ethel Martin, Kyrel Meschter, and Dr. Claude Schultz
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1997 Oct 18
Major-General John Frederick Hartranft: Citizen Soldier and Pennsylvania Statesman – Albert M. Gambone, author; Mr. & Mrs. Shireman shared collection of artifacts/remembrances from General Hartranft’s life; Harry and Patricia Sproehnle dressed in period costume
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1998 Oct 24
Antique Dolls – Mrs. Joan Nichols (collecting dolls since 1977, operated a doll repair business and antique shop)
Antique Toys – Dr. David K. Bausch (collector of antique automobiles, automobilia [automobile in art], and automobile toys for over 45 years; managed the Macungie Toy Show; conducted the Allentown Toy Show)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
1999 Oct 24
Pennsylvania German Fraktur: Background in Europe and Developments in America – Dr. Don Yoder (Fellow of Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, retired professor of folk life studies, and adjunct professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2000 Oct 22
Pennsylvania German Group Migrations into 18th Century Pennsylvania – Jane Adams Clarke (Fellow of Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, lecturer, consultant, and author)
Held at Chapel, Kriebel Hall, Perkiomen School, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2001 Oct 14
Behind the Scenes Tour – Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center – Rebecca Kummerer (Administration Offices/Board Room), Hunt Schenkel (Library/Archives), David Luz (Museum Storage), Candace Perry (Collections Work Area), Laura Heebner (Genealogical Record Update)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2002 Oct 13
Special Meeting – Rededication service for the Schwenkfelder Exile Plaque Monument
Held at Third garden outside Seaport Museum, foot of Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
2002 Oct 27
Farm Machine Innovations of the 19th Century and Their Impact on Farm Life – Charles Fox (Historic Site and Museum Administrator of Somerset Historical Center; Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Somerset, PA)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2003 Oct 26
Insight into Life of Schwenkfelders in America and Silesia around 1750-1790 Through Correspondence Between Immigrants Rosina (Drescher) and Christoph Hoffmann in America and Their Family and Friends in Silesia – Dr. L. Allen Viehmeyer (Professor of German and Department Chairperson, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH; Scholar in Residence, SLHC)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2004 Oct 24
Highlights of the 2003 Schwenkfelder Homelands Tour (including re-dedication of the Viehweg Monument) – Jerry Heebner (tour group leader)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2005 Oct 23
Finding Susanna Heebner, 1750-1818 – Candace Perry (Curator of Collections, SLHC)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2006 Oct 22
Abraham Wagner: Schwenkfelder Exile and Pennsylvania Physician. What does he tell us about health care in the 18th century and today? – Dr. John Crellin (British qualifications in medicine and pharmacy and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. in history of science)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2007 Oct 28
Pennsylvania German Textile Traditions – Candace K. Perry (Curator of Collections, SLHC)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2008 Oct 26
Schwenkfelder Heritage Tour 2007 – Dr. L. Allen Viehmeyer & David W. Luz
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2009 Oct 25
Emerging Internet Tools for Finding Our Ancestors and Cousins – Hiram “Bud” Gross (retired IT manager and System Analyst, volunteer at Mennonite Heritage Center)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2010 Oct 24
The World in Schwenckfeld’s Day and the World in Ours: Are There Lessons for the Present in the Past? – Dr. Peter C. Erb (retired professor, SLHC Associate Director of Theology)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2011 Oct 23
Treasures of the Collection – Hunt Schenkel (Archivist, SLHC), Allen Viehmeyer (Associate Director of Research, SLHC), Candace Kintzer Perry (Curator of Collections, SLHC)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2012 Oct 28
Flora Heebner and the Chinese Mission – Some Historical Background – Candace Kintzer Perry (Curator of Collections, SLHC)
“Miss Flora Heebner” – as interpreted by Carol Spacht
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2013 Oct 27
Early Twentieth Century Photographs of Silesia and Germany – Allen Viehmeyer, Ph.D. (Associate Director of Research, SLHC)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2014 Oct 26
Letters from a Montana Sheep Man – Darlene Schneck (manages touring arm of American Shakespeare Center, Staunton, VA; prior adjunct professor at Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, and freelance photographer and book designer, self published author)
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2015 Oct 25
Walter Emerson Baum: Sellersville Artist of Schwenkfelder Ancestry” – presented by Larry Grim, oldest grandchild of Walter Baum, a Perkasie lawyer, past president of Bucks County Bar Association, past director of the Baum school of Art and James A. Michener Art Museum; assisted by Kathleen O’Dea, a Fine Arts Consultant who completed the course of study at the Barnes Foundation and did graduate studies in art at NYU, holding a BA from the College of New Jersey and MA in Teaching from University of Pennsylvania
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2016 Oct 23
Clockmaking in the Style of the PA Dutch (Southeastern PA) – Gregg Perry. The presentation will focus on construction, materials, surface finish, proportions, and ornamentation of 18th – 19th century Pennsylvania tall case clocks produced by the Pennsylvania Dutch in southeastern PA. A tall case clock in the Heritage Center collection will be visually dissected to extrapolate on all key points. Gregg Perry has been a builder of high end, period 18th century furniture and clock case copies for the past 35 years. For the last 16 years he has been a practicing full-time horologist (a person who makes clocks and timepieces) in his Topton, PA, studio. He has studied two years at the NAWCC School of Horology, one year at the British Horological Institute, attained a graduate certificate from the Louvre in France in wooden artifact conservation, and has been an apprentice in 12 European countries in the last 12 years.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2017 Oct 22
Schwenkfelder Petitions for Tolerance – Dr. Allen Viehmeyer. It is well known that three Schwenkfelder representatives traveled to Vienna, Austria, to plead tolerance for their faith by means of written petitions. Several searches for the original petitions have not brought a single one to light, but copies have been discovered recently in the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center. Come and find out the story of these petitions and their contents and see the petitions firsthand.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2018 Oct 28
Organ Building of the Krauss Family – Raymond J. Brunner. The organ building of the Krauss family over several generations will be described, with emphasis on their relations to the community, members of other religious groups, and contact with other organ builders. Their business practices will be discussed, with the opportunity for attendees to view original contracts, organ drawings, and diaries from the Heritage Center archives. Photographs of extant Krauss organs, as well as the Krauss homes and organ workshops, will be shown.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2019 Oct 2
Where Would You Find Slackers, Whackers and Frakturs? – Roger and Tim Heebner. Samuel Y. Heebner was a Renaissance Man of the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century.
Roger and Tim Heebner will share some insights into his background and where his legacy is still felt today. Details will include sources of information and how his background information was obtained.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2020 Oct 25
Frozen Diamonds – The Ice Industry of the Upper Perkiomen Valley – Larry Roeder. Before the age of mechanical refrigerators, icehouses and dams of varying sizes stood upon the banks of many ponds and creeks in our region. Some provided local families with ice for their needs while others supported small and later larger businesses.
Learn about the wood and stone icehouses used to preserve the food of our ancestors long before electric powered refrigerators and how those cleverly constructed and insulated buildings led to the rise of one of the largest businesses to take root in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. Consider why the water of the Perkiomen and Hosensack Creeks were preferred and what role the railroad played in the location of the icehouses. Hear how the ice was harvested and where it was shipped. You’ll be surprised at the number of jobs the industry created and how much ice was harvested here.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2021 Oct 24
The Ladies of 20th Century Pennsylvania Dutch Literature and Illustration – Candace Perry. In the early to mid-20th Century, authors were discovering that the rich tapestry of Pennsylvania German culture and life made good subject matter for books, both for adults and children. Many of these authors were women. These authors took what they viewed as the quaint customs (and sometimes backward thinking and superstitions) and wove them into stories that captivated the nation’s imagination. Candace Perry will explore several of these books and authors in this illustrated lecture – some with whom you might be familiar, such as Marguerite de Angeli and Katherine Milhous, and others that have become more obscure over the years.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
2022 Oct 30
Historian Craig Bird spoke on John F. Hartranft’s Masonic Connections.
Held at Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA
Sources:
1Annual Meeting notices and Annual Meeting agendas
2der Bericht issues (Spring/Summer 2009 – present)
3Exile Herald issues (1924-1954) – missing issues: Vol 4, #4, Dec 1927; Vol 5, #4, Dec 1928; Vol 6, #2, May 1929; Vol 6, #3, Oct 1929; Vol 6, #4, Dec 1929; Vol 7, #4, Dec 1930; Vol 9, #3, Oct 1932; Vol 10, #2, May 1933; Vol 10, #3, Oct 1933
4Exile Herald, Vol. 9, No. 1, February 1932, “A Review of the Work of the Society of the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles During Its First Dicennium”, pages 3-16
5Newsletters (April 1977-Fall/Winter 2008)
6Report of the Initial Meeting of the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian Exiles 1921
7Schwenkfelder Bicentennial Services Commemorating the Arrival at Philadelphia of the followers of Caspar Schwenckfeld von Ossig (1489-1561); The Affirmation of Allegiance; The first Thanksgiving Day, September 22, 23, 24, 1734
8The Schwenkfeldian issues
9Twentieth Century Schwenkfelders: A Narrative History by W. Kyrel Meschter, 1984
Society of the Descendants of the Schwenkfeldian E 