Winter History Class

Winter History Class is an adult learning opportunity that brings together scholars, volunteers, staff and interested people to explore the history of Historic Ephrata Cloister, the wider Pennsylvania German world, and early Pennsylvania and local history.

January

22: Introductions, quick review of site history (15 min)—Michael Showalter, Museum Educator and Origins of Ephrata Theology—Nicholas Siegert, Tour Guide Supervisor

29: Cloister Member Johannes Hildebrand—Dr. Jeff Bach, Director of the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies

February

5: An Overview of the Amish— Edsel Burdge, Jr., Research Associate, Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies and A Primer on Post Card History and Ephrata Post Cards—Kerry Mohn, Curator of Collections

12: Oral History Interviews with Dan Kachel and Marie Bucher, last members of the Ephrata German Seventh Day Baptist Church

19:   18^th Century Cloister Neighbors and Christopher Beeler and the Ghosts –Michael Showalter

26: Placards of Pietism:  The Wall Charts of Ephrata—Rebecca Lawrence, Ephrata Cloister Program Facilitator and Michael Showalter and Ladder Back Chairs–David Hoffman, scholar and craftsmen

March

5: PA German Kitchen Gardens and 18^th Century Squash –William Woys Weaver, scholar and author

12: Homes of Iron Masters – Earle Henderson and William Coleman, estate owners and Archaeology at the Alexander Schaeffer Farm—Dr. Patricia Gibble, Archaeologist

19: The Sisters’ “Other House”—Nicholas Siegert and Dangerous Guests: Enemy Captives and Revolutionary Communities during the War for Independence –Dr. Ken Miller, Associate Professor of History, Washington College

$8 for single class

$40 for members for all classes

$50 for non-members for all classes