Presented by Lynn Otto

The period of 1755-1758 was a violent time in colonial Pennsylvania. There was no standing army to protect early inhabitants from the threat of hostile Native Americans and foreign forces at war with the British colonies.  When the Pennsylvania Regiment was formed in 1756, one of the first things they did was build a series of forts along the Blue Mountains. This program highlights those forts, their purposes and their value. 

Speaker Intro: Lynn Otto is a historian with a passion for history and research focused on the mid-18th century in Pennsylvania. He is a frequent speaker about the French and Indian War in Pennsylvania, and commander of the recreated French and Indian War era 1st and 3rd Battalions of The Pennsylvania Regiment.  Lynn serves as Treasurer of the Friends of Conrad Weiser Homestead, is chairperson of their Event Committee and is a regular volunteer. 

A Reception with light refreshments will follow the presentation.

A Free Community Concert

As part of Kempton’s 150th celebration please join us for a free concert at the Kempton Community Center Friday, August 16, 2024 from 7:30 to 9 PM.

An evening of Blue Grass, New Grass, Celtic, and Folk music starring Travis “The Mad Fiddler” Wetzel and “East Side” Dave Kline.

Presented by Bradley Smith

The Pennsylvania Dutch have made a tremendous impact on our nation's development, and as recently as 1950, a half million individuals spoke or at least understood the Pennsylvania Dutch language. Despite this, many do not fully appreciate the curious and unique history of these people and their language. Join Bradley Smith for an entertaining discussion exploring the origins of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the importance of their legacy.  Whether you are a "native Pennsylvania Dutchman," who grew up speaking the language, or a person who is completely new to our region, this program will have something for you!

 

Speaker Intro: Bradley Smith holds a Masters of History degree from Shippensburg State University and is the Assistant Director at the Berks History Center. A native of Lebanon County, he grew up in a PA Dutch family, hearing their language spoken everyday. He has been an adjunct professor of history at Alvernia University for nearly 20 years, and has been teaching PA Dutch classes since 2022.

Along With the Other Berks County women who played in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League- Alice Hoover, Ruth Kramer Hartman and Amy Dunkelberger Jurasinski

Fern will be remembered and will be the subject of a presentation by baseball historian and Berks History Center Ambassador Brian Engelhardt.

George Hamm’s son, Walter, has graciously donated a collection of his father’s tools to the society. He will speak on the use of the tools and his personal experience working on the farm with his father and other family members. The tools will be displayed that evening for the first time.

A reception will follow the program.

In August 1874, the Reading Eagle reported that hunters in Albany Township had killed the region's last Mountain Lion.  In the weeks that followed, dozens of additional newspapers, from across the country, shared this story, with each providing new sensational details of the hunters' ordeal.  Interest in the tale was rekindled decades later, after the taxidermied remains of the Albany Township mountain lion appeared at an estate sale. Join Bradley Smith, Archivist at the Berks History Center of Reading, PA, as he discusses the facts - and the mythology - surrounding this intriguing local legend.    

The ATHS November meeting will feature guest speaker, David Ray, discussing the Indigenous Peoples of Berks County. The program will include information concerning villages, names, archaeological surveys and sights, photos, and artifacts. David is the President of the Hawk Mountain Chapter 31 of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. The meeting is free and open to the public. It will be held in the Allemaengel Room of the Albany Township Historical Society at 7:30 PM on Friday, November 18. We hope to see you there!

Join us as we host 10 local artists for the second annual Albany Arts Fest. In conjunction with the Berks History Centers Road Ramble.

The Albany Township Historical Society will be hosting a bus tour of Albany Township geared to the young people in our community. The date will be Saturday, May 14. There will be two bus trips available: 9AM- 11:45 and 1PM-3:45. Lunch will be provided at society headquarters from noon-12:45 for both bus trips. Lots of surprises are in store for your youngsters ages Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. There will be opportunities to do crafts, learn how the pioneers of our township did some of their farming and other unique experiences. 

We are limiting the adults who can attend since this is for the children. One to three children per adult is what we are requesting. If we find we have more space on the bus you can be put on a waiting list to attend. 

Any members without children are welcome to volunteer to help us provide this wonderful experience to the youth of Albany Township. For more information please call Lucy Muth 610-756-6144 or Jon Bond 610-756-4490 or email info@albanyths.org.

Please fill out this

Registration Form

and return it to

ATHS, PO Box 95, Kempton PA 19529

DEADLINE MAY 1

The society will be hosting local artisans in the Allemaengel Room as part of the Kutztown Public Library’s Country Cruise. Local Artists include: Ron Imboden - Watercolors, Mark Amey - Pottery, Rose Fritch - Jewelry, Gene Allen - Acrylic Painting, Jeanne Stock - Pastels, Luke Voytas - Woodworking, Daily Loaf Bakery - Breads and Pastries, Lisa Gauker - Fine Art Prints, Woolly Bugger Hat Co. - Handmade Hats.

Jon Bond’s art gallery will also welcome visitors as part of the tour.

Please visit - Kutztown Community Library’s event calendar for more details.

THIS IS AN ONLINE EVENT ONLY

Erin Reynolds, Civil War Reenactor, will explain the Victorian style of dress from top to bottom along with a few stories about camp life for women. Also, learn how ladies communicated across a crowded ballroom using the language of the fan.

We are asking all those who are interested in participating to register at our email address info@albanyths.org and the Zoom meeting information will be emailed to you closer to the date. We also hope to be able to offer a recording of this on our Facebook page or Youtube channel.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Our first PA German language class was so popular Keith Brintzenhoff will be offering a second-level class this spring. The class will run for 10 weeks and will focus primarily on reading. Classes will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8 pm beginning April 7th and ending on June 9th. Each class will consist of 60 minutes of language and 30 minutes of video, speakers, culture, or music. The class will be offered via Zoom or live at the ATHS headquarters. Masks and social distancing will be required.

• Cost - $190

• Pre-requisite - Beginning PA German Class or the ability to converse in the language.

• Supplies - A PA German Reader and Grammar by Earl Haag, Penn State Press. Available at the Kutztown University Book Store or online.

Please register with Keith at keith.brintzenhoff@gmail.com

Movie Night in Albany Township

In this documentary film, Douglas Madenford, born and raised in Pennsylvania, goes on a quest to learn more about the Pennsylvania Dutch in his homeland and the Palatinate, Germany.

Don’t let the word “documentary” scare you away. This is a fun and informative movie with a cast of local characters.

“Grumbier Nacht!”
A celebration of potato lore in Albany Township

We will begin the evening with a program about potatoes from their origins in South America to potato farming in the 20th century and ending with a new generation of potato farmers in our area. Local potatoes will be available for purchase.

This program will be followed by a social time featuring potato snacks, complimentary beverages and some special treats. If you enjoyed our gala last September, please join us for this fun evening. A little history, neighbors and food...what could be better?

Our museum and community room will be one of the stops on this years Hawk Mountain Arts Tour; a self guided tour of artists studios and businesses in Albany, Greenwich, and Lynn Townships.

Our building will be host to several artists.

Join us as we tour some of Albany Townships historic barns by bus.

Barn Historian Greg Huber, author of the book, "The Historic Barns of Southeastern Pennsylvania.", will leads us on this tour. We will learn about the diversity and the great differences of some of the surviving barns that dot the countryside of our beautiful township.

Two tour departure times: 9 am and 1 pm. The tour takes approximately 3 hours. A box lunch will be served at 12 noon at one of Albany Townships historic barns.

Parking at New Bethel Church, 135 New Bethel Church Road, Kempton, PA 19529

Tickets available online through our General Store or by printing out the form below and sending a check to: Albany Township Historical Society, PO Box 95, Kempton, PA 19529

BARN TOUR FORM

Join us as we welcome Bill Uhrich who will offer us a glimpse into the life and work of artist and ornithologist Conrad Roland.

Conrad Roland was born in Reading in 1900 and was educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. In 1936, he and his wife Marie Palmore moved to Kempton where he spent the next 20 years studying and painting birds.

A selection of Roland’s work will be on display.

ATHS ushers in Christmas with "Moravian Christmas Customs" presented by Marianne and Gene Allen. We will hear about the wonderful traditions of the Moravians and learn about the early Moravian settlement in Albany Township. Gene will be leading a craft and a traditional Moravian pastry will be served. Please join us in our new meeting room at 404 Old Philly Pike, Kempton.

If you would like to participate in the craft please email info@albanyths.org.

Join us on November 9th as author, barn expert, and historian, Greg Huber shares his expertise and love of barns.

Learn about the diversity and the great differences of surviving barns in Albany Township. These barns include Sweitzers, stone and frame, standard barns, ground barns, and up-country posted barns. On the way, see many of the mysterious hex signs and other barn decorations – some very obvious and some very hidden that no one has seen – that adorn many of the township barns.

Greg Huber, author, barn and house historian, independent scholar, consultant and principal owner of Past Perspectives and Eastern Barn Consultants lives in Macungie, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

Huber, since 1974 has specialized in pre-Civil War era house and barn architecture of Holland Dutch and Pennsylvania Swiss-German areas. He has documented more than 8,000 vernacular buildings that include more than 5,000 homestead barns.

He is author of more than 250 articles on barn and house architecture. He edited and published the first barn research journal from 1991 to 1994. Huber also is co-author of two books; the second edition of The New World Dutch Barn (2001), and Stone Houses – Traditional Homes of Pennsylvania’s Bucks County and Brandywine Valley (2005). He has given more than 230 lectures on house and barn architecture. He won the Alice Kenney award in 1997 and the Allen Noble Book Award in 2003 issued by the Pioneer America Society. Greg Huber’s 240-page book – The Historic Barns of Southeast Pennsylvania –Architecture and Preservation 1750 to 1900 was published by Schiffer Publishing In July 2017, the book reached Number 1 several times on the specific Amazon Best Seller list for – Vernacular Architecture.

http://easternbarns.com/index.html

The Allemaengel Room at the Albany Township Historical Society is finally completed!
Please join us Saturday evening, September 29 from 7-10 PM for a Gala Viewing Party.
This project has been many years in the making but it is time to unveil this beautiful new space. This room will open up many possibilities for ATHS and the community. Come see the skilled workmanship, visit with your neighbors and enjoy some refreshments
All our welcome but we encourage you to RSVP to:
info@albanyths.org or 610-756-6144