Goschenhoppen, correctly pronounced Gush'n hup'n, is one of the oldest existing, continuously Pennsylvania German communities in America. Settled in the early eighteenth century by Mennonite, Lutheran, Catholic, Schwenkfelder, Reformed and Dunker farmers and artisans, it was a center of Palatine German language and culture, with Alsatian, Swiss, Bavarian, and Hessian influences.
Many descendants of these early settlers live in the community today. Our concerned community members support the Historians in the collection, preservation and dissemination of the historyand folk culture of the Pennsylvania Germans in the Goschenhoppen and nearby areas.
The Historians were organized in 1963 as an educational society dedicated to learning about, preserving and teaching the local folk culture. They identify and restore significant sites and buildings. By sponsoring educational seminares, restoration projects and by collecting and displaying artifacts, they interpret the heritage and folk culture of the Pennsylvania "Dutch" in Goschenhoppen.
The Historians are influencing the development of a philosophy of tourism that is free from artificiality and commercialism by presenting their heritage both simply, accurately and modestly. They have twice been awarded the Valley Forge Freedom Foundation's George Washington Medal for their work. They meet regularly each month, hold exhibitions, operate a country store, a folklife museum and hold an annual Folk Festival in the town of East Greenville, Pennsylvania. They are an educational society dedicated to the learning and teaching of local folk culture.
No. It is a geographical region that was originally settled by Lutherans, Reformed, Dunkards, Mennonites, Catholics and Schwenkfelders.
This name refers to a geographical region established in the folk mind and noted on early surveyor's maps. It has no political boundries and is not a political unit. The region may be identified as the area encompassing the northern half of the Perkiomen Creek and its tributaries in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
The Henry Antes House is located just 9 miles from our old festival location. You can find the Henry Antes Plantation just off Route 73, in Upper Frederick, Pennsylvania, by turning south on Colonial Road (318 Colonial Road, Perkiomenville, PA 18074). Please note that that Colonial Rd will be closed on the day of the festival and Parking will be accessible from Rt 73 just west of Colonial Rd
From Philadelphia:
Mountian Mary was known to have lived in hills above Oley, Pennsylvania. Having immigrated to the Goschenhoppen region in 1765, she had a reputation as being an herbalist and a faith healer. It is known that wounded Revolutionary War soldiers from hospitals in Bethlehem, Pa, were sent to her by wagon for healing. Her real name was Maria Young and she remained unmarried throughout her long life. Her house still stands above the Oley Valley today. A book called "Mountian Mary Legends" by William T. Parsons is available through the historians and at the Folk Festival. Watch for Mountian Mary, itinerants and other colorful characters about the festival grounds.
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