The Schwenkfelder

06/17/2026

CCHC enjoyed hosting students from indigenous communities across the U.S. as part of the training program in artifact research and management developed by the West Chester University Anthropology & Sociology Department. Their afternoon visit at the beginning of the two-week program encompassed how artifacts are cataloged, important considerations surrounding NAGPRA (National American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act), and the tools to conduct property research, among a variety of other questions. Thanks to our colleagues at Chester County Archives for their help with this visit.

West Chester University of PA Chester County Archives and Records Services

06/17/2026

Only a few spots remain for The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center's Patriotic Fraktur Workshop on Friday, June 19. Artist Ruth Williams will lead participants in the creation of a 6 x 8 watercolor fraktur eagle, inspired by a work in the museum's collection. Register now: https://www.schwenkfelder.org/calendar/patriotic-fraktur

WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS: PATRIOTIC FRAKTURE
Friday, June 19, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fee: $75 person (includes materials)
Registration is required.
Location: 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073
https://www.schwenkfelder.org/

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06/16/2026

Music is in the air this summer!

On June 21, stop by the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center as part of Make Music Upper Perk, a free, valley-wide celebration happening across 20+ local venues.

Drop in anytime between noon and 6:00 PM and enjoy live performances as part of this global day of music celebrated in over 100 countries.

Bring the family, explore the area, and make us one of your musical stops for the day.

See the full schedule at valleyartscene.wordpress.com/make-music-upper-perk/.

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

*Times and events are subject to change.

06/13/2026

1776 Schwenkfelders wish Samuel Krieble a 250th birthday! Born today, June 13, in 1776, Samuel Kriebel [19-10] (June 13, 1776–Feb. 1, 1841) was the third of nine children born to Andreas/Andrew Kriebel [19-4] and Susannah Yeakel. [Towamencin Schwenkfelder Cemetery, Lansdale, PA]. Samuel married his first wife Christina Schultz Kriebel (1782–1819) on June 3, 1802. They had 5 children. Samuel married his second wife Catharine Leatherach Kriebel (1795–1848) on July 20, 1824. Their only child was Sophia (1826–1903).

Samuel Kriebel’s father, Andreas/Andew Kriebel (1748–1830) is listed as a DAR Revolutionary War Patriot in the PA Archives. He is buried at the Washington Schwenkfelder Cemetery in Hereford, PA. Samuel Kriebel’s grandfather was George Kriebel (1715–1798) arrived in Philadelphia on the St Andrew in 1734 with his 6 siblings and parents. Smauel’s great grandfather Christoph Kribel also came from on the same ship.

Samuel and his 1-year and-8 months-older brother Abraham (1774–1844) were millers and co-owned and operated a mill near Cedars, PA, known as the “Kriebel’s Mill.” “Tradition states that these brothers and their families lived together in splendid peace and harmony. It is stated that they ate at a common table, one family furnishing the provisions for one week, and the brother’s family the next week. (GR, p. 231).

For help in understanding an entry in the Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families, go to schwenkfelder.org/saved-in-vault-blog/how-to-read-a-family-entry.

06/11/2026

Couldn’t get to Pennsburg for the 2026 Penn Dry Goods? You now have a chance to purchase the recordings for eight of the lectures—on topics as diverse as the album quilts, knitting, and the needlework of Eliza Hamilton. Each recording is good until July 15 and special package deals make them very affordable. See schwenkfelder.org/virtual-lecture-series for the list and to order.

06/11/2026

Join historian Dr. Emily Sneff at The Schwenkfelder on June 10 at noon as she talks about her new book “When the Declaration of Independence Was News.”

Published for the 250th anniversary of the United States, “When the Declaration of Independence Was News” focuses on the nation’s founding document at the moment of its creation in 1776, before anyone knew what the legacy of the Declaration would be or if the United States would win the war against Great Britain. It explores how the Declaration was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world and reveals the stories of the many people involved in the process of declaring independence, from printers to soldiers to diplomats to translators.

For more information, visit schwenkfelder.org
For more PV250 events, visit pv250.org

06/11/2026

If you missed our Brown Bag Lecutre yesterday about the Declaration of Independence, I could chide you for missing a great talk—except I can now offer you a chance to hear Emily Sneff speak about “When the Declaration of Independence Was News.” The recording is available through July 7 at Declaration of Independence --passcode BB . A great way to prepare for summer commemoration! (Listen and learn why July 4 might not the right date.)

06/10/2026

The opening of "Revolutionary Fraktur" on Sunday, June 14, includes great family activities, including a visit from the Mobile Experiential traveling exhibit of America250PA! Come on out between 1 and 4pm for some free fun!