On Saturday, October 28, 2006, the Penn State Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures hosted its fifth annual Pennsylvania German Day. The purpose of this event was to explore, showcase and celebrate the German heritage in Pennsylvania with lectures, field trips, and banquets. Alumni, faculty, friends, students, and teachers were invited to attend.

The event focused on two distinctive religious communities of German origin in Pennsylvania: Bethlehem and Ephrata Cloister. The lecturers were John Frantz from the Pennsylvania State University and Michael Showalter of Ephrata Cloister.  John Frantz is an emeritus member of Penn State's Department of History.   He is a member of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania German Society and is a former president of the Pennsylvania Historical Association.  Michael Showalter is a 1997 graduate of the Master's Degree program at Penn State, Harrisburg.  He has served in various capacities at the Ephrata Cloister for about twenty-five years.

The program included three lectures in the morning and an afternoon concert of music associated with the Moravian and Ephrata communities performed by ARIETTA Women’s Chorus. ARIETTA, an outreach ensemble of the State College Choral Society, performed a variety of religious music sung in these two unique eighteenth-century communities as well as other sacred and secular selections representative of the Germanic culture.

Program

9:30–10:30 a.m.
"The Moravians' Influence on the Pennsylvania Germans"
John Frantz, Penn State
Foster Auditorium, Pattee Library

10:30–11:30 a.m.
"Ephrata Cloister:  A Community's Earthly Life and Heavenly Quest”
Michael Showalter, Ephrata Cloister
Foster Auditorium, Pattee Library

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Lunch on your own. There are many good dining options just a short walk from the library in downtown State College.

1:00–2:00 p.m.
Concert by the Arietta Women’s Chorus
Worship Hall, Pasquerilla Spiritual Center- Eisenhower Chapel

 

 

 

 

Hotel Information

Participants are responsible for making their own reservations. A list of hotels can be found at www.visitpennstate.org.

More Information

For further information, please contact Dr. Richard Page, Acting Head, Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures at 814-865-5481 or brp3@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
Michael Showalter, Ephrata Cloister

This publication is available in alternative media upon 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 05-37.