During the Industrial Revolution when steam powered threshing machines replaced horse powered tread-mills, farmers with large tracts of land built huge Pennsylvania bank barns with double and triple threshing floors, realizing that these structures provided them with the most efficiency.
Threshing a quantity of grain took both light and air for breathing, thereby large windows with multi-panes of glass were installed in the forebay wall above the threshing floor doors, out of which straw was blown or pitched constantly. After which the winnowing process occurred {freeing grain of lighter particles of chaff (husks/seed coverings) and dirt}….for our younger readers).
A common feature in these Sweitzer barns were louvered windows in the gable-end walls used to vent the hay mow. The successful husbandry by Rhinelanders who immigrated to Pennsylvania by the thousands in the 17th century truly earned the state fame as the “Breadbasket” of America. Their farming practices, together with the development of farm buildings unique to the purpose for which they were designed, made these Germanic people agricultural leaders to be followed through successive centuries.
Although the PA Dutch immigrants in the Valleys (Oley and East Penn) had created a Germanic cultural island in the piedmont area of the state, complete with their Germanic Dialect, this successful farming Utopia could exist side by side with our other English American national civilization (the Quakers). Thus, the area became a quaint, ethnic pocket culture like other areas of this multi-national immigrant founded civilization, and the mere fact that these Pennsylvania Dutch farmers were active in their commerce with Philadelphia, the Colonial capitol of the United States.
However, they were torn between being old fashioned Germanic Rhinelanders and becoming part of a dynamic, American civilization, and speaking American English. As loyal American immigrants, they were active in the political affairs of the Continental Congress and whole-heartedly supported the Declaration of Independence! Thus, these seemingly backward immigrants who came to Philadelphia to sell their agricultural harvests and Colonial wares had became acculturated with William Penn’s English architecture, like the grand Pennsylvania State House, known as Independence Hall, which was dressed with Georgian Keystones and became the symbol of our Colony’s interaction with the founding of the United States of America.
Thereby, the commerce of our Berks County citizens became interwoven with the spirit of free private enterprise and freedom of religion among our Quaker immigrants, as well. Many older Germanic immigrants who likewise came to America for the Freedoms promised by William Penn embraced the English architecture of Philadelphia. As successful farmers, they built smart-looking Georgian architectural mansions, turning away from the earlier medieval manor homes built by their ancestors. With stone and brick arched windows, these mansions were an American symbol of the 19th century when progressive Rhinelanders had become prosperous citizens of the United States.
Although much of their farming techniques were still Germanic inspired, as well as food dishes, since English customs were not accepted. In time though, the Georgian English architectural style was also used on the edifices of gristmills (like the 1809 Knabb-Bieber Mill off the Oley Turnpike written about 6 weeks ago) and barns such as the Clarence Yoder Swiss bank barn (pictured) at the Lobachsville mill site, built about 1800, with three wooden keystones placed over each window on the broadside of the barn, having once had two traditional hex signs in front. Since many PA Dutch woodworkers were excellent craftsmen, the pedimented Georgian doorway in the front of a Georgian house was an opportunity for the craftsman to outdo himself, providing intricate moldings and an arched fan light (see Hunter Mansion article/ doorway pictured about 2-3 weeks ago) to admit light into the central hallway, as well as ornately carved chair-rails and carved staircases winding upstairs in the home, itself.
Richard L.T. Orth is assistant director of the American Folklife Institute in Kutztown.
