The New Hanover Historical Society will feature pottery collector Jeff Rhoads for the November program. His illustrated talk will center on the Stahl Pottery of Powder Valley and also Jacob Medinger who worked in Neiffer.
Jeff Rhoads, of Rhoads House Antiques, and his wife Deborah are students of Pennsylvania German culture and decorative arts. He has long been a collector of South East Pennsylvania redware including many pieces by Medinger and Stahl. Rhoades has collected dozens of examples from both potteries and is particularly interested in both since both potters documented their work so their history is well known.
Rhoads has given talks on both Medinger and Stahl Potteries for various organizations and has consulted with local Pennsylvania German scholars on these subjects. He is a long time member of the Berks County Historical Society and Antique Dealers Association of Berks County.
In addition, Rhoads and his wife have been involved in extensive historical restoration of two eighteenth-century stone farmhouses and currently reside in the 1765 Hoch-Keim mansion located near the hamlet of Lobachsville.
The program is scheduled Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the restored Swamp Creek School House, 3179 Reifsnyder Road, Gilbertsville (in New Hanover Township’s Swamp Creek Park). The program is free as usual and light refreshments will be served. Visitors Welcome. Seating is limited. Call 610-326-4165 for information.
