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Please Join Us for the Next Goschenhoppen Folk Festival at the Henry Antes Plantation, August 7 & 8, 2009

Up for Bid this year is the Original Oil Painting of the Antes House -- Details in Upcoming Events

Good Things to Know Before You Go... To the Folk Festival at The Antes Plantation

And don't forget about our FOLK FESTIVAL APPRENTICE PROGRAM -- See details below

We also welcome you to view our Folk Festival Photo Gallery from Previous Years

Since 2007, our Annual Folk Festival has been held at the Henry Antes Plantation, Colonial Road in Frederick, PA. The potential of the Antes Plantation, with its 18th century backdrop is vast and so conducive to the authentic interpretation of the Pennsylvania German folk culture that it is the ideal location to continue the tradition of the Folk Festival.

The Goschenhoppen Historians was established as an educational society dedicated to learning about preserving and teaching the Pennsylvania German folk culture. Red Men's Hall, the annual Folk Festival and the Antes House are the three primary ways the Historians accomplish this mission. For the past 40 years the authentic recreation of folk culture trades and home skills have been demonstrated at the annual Folk Festival. Red Men's Hall houses a local folk life museum, country-store museum, a research library and a blacksmith's shop. The Antes House was acquired in 1987 with one acre of land in Upper Frederick Township and in 2000 an additional 25 acres were purchased. The Antes House has been designated a National Historic Landmark as an outstanding example of Pennsylvania German architecture in the mid-18th century, and in recognition of Henry Antes'contributions to Colonial America. The restoration of the house is nearly completed and the master plan for the property has been prepared.

For years the goal of the organization was to have a place of its own to keep alive the Pennsylvania German folk culture and to educate the public. The Antes Plantation is that place. We look forward to the continued support of the members and friends of the Historians as we make this exciting move.

The annual Goschenhoppen Folk Festival, started in 1966 is nationally recognized as an educational event to be enjoyed by the whole family. It is always held in August on the 2nd Saturday and the Friday before. It is a non-commercial family oriented day in Goschenhoppen. Old fashioned foods and Pennsylvania Dutch meals are for sale on the festival grounds. Young and old alike can leisurely enjoy more than 500 skilled and apprentice craftsmen giving live demonstrations of more than 150 skills of the 18th and 19th centuries. Dressed in authentic costumes of the periods (many of which are loaned from the Historian's extensive wardrobe), they use authentic tools in recreating traditional home skills, trades, pastimes, foods, and folk music. Stage programs and lectures both scholarly and entertaining, serious and humorous, in the dialect and in English, are presented throughout the day.

The Historians put their own learning to work as they display the area's largest collection of traditional foods, crafts, homeskills, trades, music and folk itinerants. The Historians are purists and the Festival Committee documents as completely as possible every detail of early Goschenhoppen life including food, dress and practices. Since 1976 a Student Apprentice program has introduced and educated countless numbers of school children to the traditional ways of Goschenhoppen. These young apprentices are included each year in festival activities. It is a leisurely family event which visitors will find educational and entertaining.

The staff and workers are dressed in typical everyday working garb that corresponds to the time frame and the type of tools used in the demonstration. Styles of clothing seen on the festival grounds date from 1750-1820, 1810-1830, and 1880-1900. Some 20th century "Plain" garb can also be seen which is not a recreation.

This year, the Folk Festival will take place on Friday, August 7 from 12 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 8, from 10 to 6:00 p.m. The historians base their demonstrations on a new theme each year. Donation is $10.00 for adults, and $2.00 for children 6 to 12. No pets are allowed in the park.

FOLK FESTIVAL APPRENTICE PROGRAM - Open to students in grades 6-12 (must be going into grade 6 in September 2009). Students must be in costume - most of which are provided by the Historians. Students may participate in one or both days. Call Mrs. Hausmann for a sign-up sheet, which should be completed by June 10th.

How do I get to the Folk Festival? It is located at the Henry Antes Plantation on Colonial Rd in Frederick, 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 ~ Head west from King of Prussia. Take the exit toward Limerick (0.3 miles). Merge onto Lewis Road north toward Limerick (1.4 miles). Turn right at Ridge Pike (0.1 miles). Turn left at Swamp Pike (4.3 miles). Turn right at New Hanover Square Road (2.5 miles). Head northeast on New Hanover Square Road toward Big Road-PA 73 (364 ft.). Turn right at Big Road/PA 73 (2.3 miles). Turn right at Colonial Road.

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, Festival 2 miles ahead.

From Phila - Leave Philadelphia on I-76 W (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.

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