|
 |
Culture
The Upper Perkiomen Valley is filled with wonderful resources of history and a Pennsylvania German heritage that has
influenced the area from the 17th century to the present. From the delightfully decorated historic homes along our
main streets to the stately churches of 18th, 19th and even 20th century construction, the people of this
"Goschenhoppen" region show a true pride in their community and their nation.
Old schoolhouses can still be seen throughout the Valley: their days as centers of education long past, serving
now as homes or long abandoned. Examples can be seen in Sumneytown, Huff's Church, Hereford and in Perkiomen Heights.
Mills thrived throughout the region in the 18th and 19th century. The Perkiomen Watershed is said to have had
one of the highest concentrations of mills using its waters in the Colonies. Still standing are the Comly Mill
along the Perkiomen Creek across from Knoll, Inc. and Kriebel Mill in Hereford.
The Churches of the Upper Perkiomen Valley reflect a strong cross section of the German immigrant's sacred
traditions. The Reformed and Lutheran sects cohabited with Schwenkfelder, Mennonite and Roman Catholic groups in
their midst. Two mid 19th Century Schwenkfelder Meetinghouses still stand a solemn sentinel in Hosensack and Kraussdale.
Our rich cultural heritage is actively preserved in two institutions open to the public: Goschenhoppen Historians and
Schwenkfelder Library and Museum. The Goschenhoppen Historians have not only a folk life museum and monthly meetings in
Pennsylvania German Heritage, but also bring to life the 18th century in the annual Folk Festival held at the New
Goshenhoppen Park. Schwenkfelder Library and Museum, a research library, archives and museum, attract people from
throughout the United States in genealogical research.
The "Goschenhoppen Region" is steeped in history and culture. From the first local newspaper, Bauern Freund
(Farmer's Friend) Print Shop, in Sumneytown to the Church School, known as Bullfrog Academy due to the frog infested
swamp area behind the building, in Upper Hanover Township, we find a plentiful and generous past in every neighborhood,
enriching the lives of everyone in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.
|
|
|
|
|
|
