On Saturday, October 22, 2005 , the Penn State Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures will host its fourth annual Pennsylvania German Day. The purpose of this event is to explore, showcase and celebrate the German heritage in Pennsylvania with lectures, field trips, and banquets. Alumni, faculty, friends, students, and teachers are invited to attend.
This year's events are centered around the topic of Pennsylvania German textiles. The lecturers will be Janneken Smucker from the University of Delaware and Elaine Mercer of Belleville , PA. Janneken Smucker is an expert in textile history who has worked as a curator and consultant on Amish quilts. Her publications include the co-authored book Amish Crib Quilts from the Midwest : The Sara Miller Collection (2003). Elaine Mercer, a native of California, previously lived in an Amish settlement in Conewango Valley, New York, and now lives in Belleville where she owns a Bed and Breakfast and sells Amish quilts through a mail order catalog. She enjoys visiting her many Amish friends and neighbors.
The program will include two lectures in the morning, lunch at rustic and picturesque Peachey’s Restaurant near Belleville , and an afternoon visit to an Amish family in Big Valley with a practical quilting demonstration.
Program
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
"Amish Quilts: Creativity Supported by Rules and Traditions”
Elaine Mercer, Belleville
Foster Auditorium, Pattee Library
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
"In the Dealer’s Footsteps: A Hunt for Quilt Documentation in Amish Country"
Janneken Smucker, University of Delaware
Foster Auditorium, Pattee Library
Noon
Bus departure. Pick-up at library entrance, Curtin Road .
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Luncheon at Peachey’s Restaurant, Belleville . Participants pay for their meals individually.
2:00 – approximately 4:30 p.m.
Visit to an Amish family with quilting demonstration. Afternoon refreshments.
Hotel Information
Participants are responsible for making their own reservations. A list of hotels can be found at (http://www.visitpennstate.org.)
Advance registration is requested for the afternoon program. Since there is a limited number of seats, participants will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Information
For further information, please contact Dr. Adrian Wanner, Head, Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures at 814-865-5481 or
( ajw3@psu.edu.) For further information about our German programs, please visit our Web site at (http://german.la.psu.edu.)
Images reproduced with the permission of Penn State Libraries Rare Books and Manuscripts (The Chris Gaines Memorial Endowment, Penn State University Archives) from the book Frances Lichten. Folk Art Motifs of Pennsylvania . New York : Dover 1954.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce. Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please consult Adrian Wanner at 814-865-5481 in advance of your participation or visit. U.Ed. LBA 06-08.
