The Friends of the Kutztown Community Library hosts their 2017 Holiday House Tour, Pathways through History on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Attendees will travel back 300 years on a self-guided tour of six historic sites in Maxatawny and Upper Macungie townships. Homes on the tour date from the late 1700s to the early 1900s.
“It’s been a dream of mine to put together something like this. This has always been in the back of my head to make people aware of how beautiful, how well preserved (this area is),” said organizer Tory Bieber of The Friends of the Kutztown Community Library. “We still have these places preserved and we’ve been invited to see them… We’re lucky to have the opportunity to see these historical homes.”
The tour pays tribute to two early settlers of the area, Johannes Siegfried (1691-1747) and Johan Egidius Grim (1700-1761).
“There are some Siegfried descendents living in the area,” said Beiber, noting the tour includes homes of Siegfried descendents. “We’re lucky to have that history and know that area, Maxatawny Township and Kutztown, were one of the first real settlements in Berks County.”
Of particular note, Kutztown Community Library Board President Cathy Ruhf’s mother’s father was a Siegfried.
Library Director Janet Yost is a big fan of the annual Holiday House Tour.
“This is one of Friends of the Library’s biggest fundraisers for the year. They give the money to the library for youth programs and other things to keep the library up and going,” said Yost.
The Holiday House Tour is the weekend of Kutztown Community Partnership’s Christmas in Kutztown to kick off the holiday season.
“It’s always so festive and it’s an opportunity to get together with friends and feel like you’re in the holiday spirit,” said Yost.
Holiday House Tour attendees will be treated to refreshments, including freshly baked holiday cookies, at Zion’s Union Church, Maxatawny, which is part of the holiday tour.
“The Friends put on a wonderful spread of food,” said Yost. “It’s very festival. It’s a nice feature.”
Beiber also enjoyed researching the local history. The following was provided by Beiber and Yost.
The oldest home on the tour was built in 1791 by the Breinig family for whom Breinigsville is named. It was purchased in 2000 and has been gradually restored to its former glory. The current owner infused his personal touch with antique locks, antique furniture, red ware and memorabilia spanning three centuries, as well as an extensive collection of antique quilts.
The residence on Albright Road is on land whose ownership dates back to 1734. From the back kitchen you can see the contrasting eras in which the home was built and later renovated. Original features, such as the walk-in fireplace, rustic overhead beams and curved wooden staircase, compliment the 1960’s modifications. The owner’s passion for decorating for Christmas will be evident both inside and outside the home.
Nearby on a 72-acre working farm is a 1910 brick house with well-preserved original woodwork. A wooden porch on the side of the house was enclosed to make a large kitchen and an eating area to accommodate family and friends. You will marvel at the owners beautiful display of quilts from her 25 years of quilting.
A short distance down the road is a home built in 1900 by B.C. Bennicoff. The current owners have lived here since 2004, remodeled the house, built an addition, and even used trees that once stood near the barn to make the pine wainscoting.
Also in the “neighborhood” is the Grimsdahl Farm, built in 1858. The current owners inherited the farm in 2000 and spent the next 12 years restoring it. Notice the hex signs on the barn that the owner and his father diligently recreated. You will see many photos of the history of the family and farm. The house and outbuildings have been kept original except for updating the kitchen. Surrounding their home is a newly painted cast iron fence that has been there for over 100 years.
Silhouetted on the hill off Route 222 stands Zion’s Union Church Maxatawny. Founded in 1826, this beautiful brick church was built in 1890. As you tour the church and learn its history, you will recognize some of the names of the early settlers. Light refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Kutztown Community Library at the church.
All proceeds benefit the Kutztown Community Library located at 70 Bieber Alley in Kutztown. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the library for $20. They are available for $25 on the day of the tour at Zion’s Union Church Maxatawny, 329 Church Road, Kutztown. Please, no cameras or high heels inside of the homes out of respect for our tour hosts’ privacy and property. For more information call 610-683-5820.
