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 history and 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 seminars, 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 at the Henry Antes Plantation on Colonial Road in Frederick, 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 Plantation, on Colonial Road (318 Colonial Road, Perkiomenville, PA 18074), is easily accessible off Route 73, in Upper Frederick, Pennsylvania, by turning south on Colonial Road. Parking is available at the Festival Site. Please call 610-754-9238 for directions.
From 422 - Take Swamp Pike to Fagleysville Road to Colonial Road. The Antes House is located at 318 Colonial Road, Perkiomenville, PA 18074. You can call us at the Festival if you have any trouble finding the plantation - 610-754-9238.
From Reading - PA Route 12 out of Reading, then turn right on PA 73 at Breezy Corners. Then go through Oley, Pleasantville, Boyertown, and Gilbertsville, staying on Route 73. Turn right on Colonial Road - the Festival 2 miles ahead.
From Phila - Head east on Spring Garden Street toward N 32nd St. Turn left to merge onto I-76 W, partial toll road (16.1 miles) Take exit 328B-A 327 for US-202 toward W Chester/US-422 W/King of Prussia/Pottstown (0.2 miles) Keep left at the fork to continue toward US-422 W (0.3 miles) Take exit 328A to merge onto US-422 W toward Pottstown (14.6 miles) Take the exit toward Limerick (0.3 miles) Merge onto N Lewis Rd (signs for Limerick) (1.4 miles) Turn right at W Ridge Pike (0.1 miles) Turn left at Swamp Pike (4.3 miles) Turn right at New Hanover Square Rd (2.5 miles) Head northeast on New Hanover Square Rd toward Big Rd/PA-73 (400 ft) Turn right at Big Rd/PA-73 (0.7 miles) Turn right at Colonial Rd. (0.8 miles)
From Wilmington, DE - Head east on Northeast Blvd/US-13 toward E 11th St/US-13 (0.4 miles) Turn left at SR-202/Vandever Ave. Continue to follow SR-202 (1.7 miles) Continue on Concord Pike Entering Pennsylvania (5.0 miles) Continue on US-202/Wilmington W Chester Pike. Continue to follow US-202 (7.7 miles) Take the ramp onto W Chester Bypass/US-202/US-322. Continue to follow US-202 (17.4 miles) Take the exit onto US-422 W toward Pottstown (14.0 miles) Take the exit toward Limerick (0.3 miles) Merge onto N Lewis Rd (signs for Limerick) (1.4 miles) Turn right at W Ridge Pike (0.1 miles) Turn left at Swamp Pike (4.3 miles) Turn right at New Hanover Square Rd (2.5 miles) Head northeast on New Hanover Square Rd toward Big Rd/PA-73 (364 ft) Turn right at Big Rd/PA-73 (0.7 miles) Turn right at Colonial Rd.
From Newark, NJ - Head south on Broad St toward Edison Pl (1.3 miles) Slight left at RT-21 (0.3 miles) Merge onto I-78 W via the ramp to Garden State Pkwy, partial toll road, entering Pennsylvania (74.5 miles) Take exit 60A toward Quakertown/State Hwy 309 S (0.3 miles) Merge onto Route 309 (3.1 miles) Slight right at PA-309/N Route 309 Continue to follow PA-309 (6.2 miles) Turn right toward W Broad St/PA-663 (144 ft) Turn right at W Broad St/PA-663 Continue to follow PA-663 (14.9 miles) Turn left at Big Rd/PA-73/Route 73 Continue to follow Big Rd/PA-73 (2.3 miles) Turn right at Colonial Rd.
Mountain 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 "Mountain Mary Legends" by William T. Parsons is available through the historians and at the Folk Festival. Watch for Mountain Mary, itinerants and other colorful characters about the festival grounds.
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