With the stroke of a “Penn,” King Charles II of England made William Penn the largest land holder in England, yet there were those who already lived and thrived in what was destined to become Pennsylvania. The Lenape people had populated the region for 15–20,000 years. Success for Penn rested in their hands. Learn about their relationship and the tragic unintended consequences of it, from Doug Miller, Site Administrator for Pennsbury Manor.

Program in-person or via Zoom.

This program is free of charge, thanks to the support of KeyBank. We ask that you pre-register to ensure enough supplies (215-679-3103 or meredith@schwenkfelder.org). Fun for all ages. Younger children may need the assistance of a parent or guardian.

We will be starting off 2026 with a special Tea & Textiles virtual program titled “Textiles for the 250th” with a group of excellent textile experts that we are always delighted to welcome back!

In honor of the 250th, we have invited Lynne Z. Bassett to present her program “Federalist Fathers and Republican Mothers: The Fashions of John and Abigail Adams;”  Dawn Ronningen is creating a special presentation “Evidence of Patriotism From the Sewing Box” for us; and we’re delighted to have Dr. Marla Miller from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, whose expertise lies in women’s work before industrialization. Schwenkfelder curator Candace Perry will present a mini lecture titled “Sewing the Symbol: A History of Flag Factories in Southeastern Pennsylvania.”

Lectures are $25 per lecture or $60 for all three. The mini lecture is free with the purchase of any lecture. Register online at schwenkfelder.org/tea-and-textiles-with-caroline or call 215-679-3103.

This program is free of charge, thanks to the support of KeyBank. We ask that you pre-register to ensure enough supplies (215-679-3103 or meredith@schwenkfelder.org). Fun for all ages. Younger children may need the assistance of a parent or guardian.

Dave and Joanne Luz, leaders of the 2025 Schwenkfelder Heritage Tour, share their slides and experiences from the fabulous tour of August 20 - September 5, 2025, in Germany and Poland. Meet the many friends we’ve made along the way and see some of the special places we shared as we explored our Schwenkfelder roots and the Lower Silesia and Eastern Germany of today. Presented as a travelogue, you will get a taste and feel for the adventure we call the Schwenkfelder Heritage Tour!

Christmas Market at the Heritage Center

Christmas Market at the Heritage Center

In 1920 one in three men belonged to such organizations as the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks or the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. More Americans belonged to fraternal societies than to any type of organization with the possible exception of churches. Ed John, retired teacher and president of the Goschenhoppen Historians, will address society rituals and regalia and how these groups provided much more than a place for members to meet socially.

Whether you need to store kindling, potatoes, a remote control, or your latest knitting project, this basket will fit your need, measuring 10” x 10” x 11”. You can choose to weave it natural or add color to create a pattern - the choice is yours! Whether you are a novice or an advanced weaver, Karen Wychock will help you make the perfect addition to your homer. You may bring a bagged lunch.

This program is free of charge thanks to the support of KeyBank. We ask that you pre-register to ensure enough supplies (215-679-3103 or meredith@schwenkfelder.org). Fun for all ages. Younger children may need the assistance of a parent or guardian.

Local quilt historian Barbara Garrett will present a walk through 175 years of quilt making in the US, from approximately 1780 to 1950, using her collection of historic reproduction doll quilts. Barbara designs and makes historic doll quilts based on actual antique quilts using the theme "These are quilts a mother could have made for her daughter's doll with the scraps left over from the quilt she just made for her family."

She will share approximately 150 of them to illustrate the time periods, styles, trends and stories of quilts during our country's history. The program is 2 hours and includes an opportunity for questions at the end of the presentation. This is an in-person program and will not be recorded.

Local historian Tom Henry will share his knowledge of the farms and structures razed during the construction of the Green Lane Reservoir.

This program is free thanks to the Friends Local History Fund. You may attend in-person or via Zoom, but reservations must be made by the previous Friday, September 26.

Free of charge but please register by calling 215-679-3103 or emailing Meredith Reinhart at meredith@schwenkfelder.org.

This workshop focuses on the sgraffito technique used by 18th and 19th century Pennsylvania German potters to make expressive designs in their folk art pottery. Sgraffito means to “scratch,” and workshop participants will draw and scratch a design on a redware plate. No experience required. Participants may chose plate size but limit of 3 plates as time permits. All the sgraffito tools and books for ideas are provided.

Workshop fee of $60, Materials fee of $38 for a 7” plate or $50 for a 10” plate.
Registration deadline is September 12.

Join curator Candace Perry for an exploration of how the introduction of Lager beer to Philadelphia around 1840 influenced saloon culture and was a major contributing factor to the rise of the temperance movement of the 1800s. Candace will intertwine her research on he great-great grandmother, Miriam Hitchcock Cole, a 19th century suffragette and temperance advocate, with the colorful history of saloons and how they inspired a crusade that would eventually bring about Prohibition in the United States.

In this lecture, Pastor Nick Pence will explore some recent applications of Open AI in translating the Corpus Schwenckfeldianorum and explore how this technology can assist in studies of historic and genealogical interest. If you have documents which need translation, bring them along and we can work on how to shape our results.

At one time, cigar making was more than a hobby for one’s own enjoyment. This short-lived industry provided work for thousands of people in many small-town communities and was a large part of their local economy. Here is an opportunity to learn about some of the local cigar factories—where they were and what happened to them. This program in free thanks to the Friends Local History Fund, but reservations must be made by Friday, July 18 by emailing info@schwenkfeder.org or calling 215-679-3103.

Let us visit the Ocean quilt exhibit, from the Carrefour European Quilt Show, for inspiration as we create our own ocean themed masterpieces.

Program is free of charge, though we ask that you pre-register to ensure enough supplies. Contact Meredith at 215-679-3103 or meredith@schwenkfelder.org.

Fun for all ages. Younger children may need the assistance of their parent or guardian.

Come join us for a fun workshop—making a posy pincushion based on an antique design! Charlotte copied a wool pincushion in our collection that dates to the late 19th–early 20th century and was found in Berks County. You will need to have at least advanced beginner sewing skills to participate. We will provide all supplies including your choice of wool, thread, and if you want, a button for your posy center.

More than a century before the township one-room-schools came into being, there were sincere efforts by most all fledgling congregations to provide the basics of reading, writing, and math for their children. Bob Wood will discuss how early church schools stood in the shadow of every church and community pay schools dotted the landscape.