The Henry Antes House, at 318 Colonial Road is located just 9 miles from our old festival location. You can find the Henry Antes Plantation just off Route 73 (318 Colonial Road, Perkiomenville, PA 18074), in Upper Frederick, Pennsylvania, by turning south on Colonial Road. 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.
The Henry Antes House,
located on the 34 acre plantation, is the Historic House Museum of the the Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc. The
house is being preserved and restored to the period of Antes' lifetime as a living history
museum. Designed and built by Henry Antes in 1736, this massive stone building is an
excellent example of Germanic settlement houses. Two and one half centuries after its
construction, the building is remarkably well preserved. With its steep roof containing
two floors in the attic, three room floor plan and massive internal fireplace,
this pre-1760s house preserves rare evidence of early cultural traditions in the
settlement of the colonies. The house was also the site of frequent evangelical and
political meetings held to promote understanding among colonists of different
religion, culture and race. The Moravian school established here is recognized
as one of the first interracial nonsectarian schools in the state of Pennsylvania.
The potential of the Antes Property, with the 18th century backdrop is vast and so conductive to the authentic interpretation of the PA German folk culture that it is the ideal location to continue the tradition of our Folk Festival.
The Henry Antes House was designated a National Historic Landmark on April 27, 1992. It has the unusual distinction of recognition in two categories; as an important building type and for its association with Henry Antes, one of the most important, yet unrecognized men of the 18th century. The Goschenhoppen Historians, Inc., have created this living history museum to interpret the lifestyle and tradition of a prosperous mid-18th century farmstead. The house is notable for its remarkable state of preservation and contains many unusual and unique features.
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