Communion altar from Brickerville United Lutheran Church (originally Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church). Rectangular altar of painted softwood, panelled construction all four sides with pegged mortise and tenon joints. Small panels over large. Door in the back with a recessed panel and knob handle. Molding around base, the edge of the top, and framing the recessed panels.
Modification to altar in 1947 by Bob Helman (signature underneath when removed 10-17-00) was a long platform shelf covering the back 2/5 of the top, with holes at the back, including an electrical outlet. Entire altar has been given a new coat of paint, a light chocolate brown on top and white on the sides. The unpainted interior has one shelf with a vertical divider.
Altar has been used since circa 1800 to serve communion, using the Brickerville United Lutheran Church's ten-piece pewter communion service which is also in collections (P97.08.01-10).
Perhaps made by Emanuel Dyer of Manheim or Mr. Zartman of Brickerville.
Large crack on top, approx. 4" from front, running halfway across top. Recently painted. Some separation at moldings. Large hole bored in altar top (for electric wire) underneath the added platform, now removed. The modern base molding also removed. Repainted top with brown and attached molding at ends of top to secure plexi top. Paint removed on door.
Object ID
P.00.34.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Heritage Center Collection, acquired through generosity of James Hale Steinman Foundation and V. Ronald Smith
Mennonite apron of bleached, plain-weave cotton and black two-ply silk embroidery. Apron is gathered at the top and sewn onto a waist band with a commercial tape string at each end.
At top center is a dark brown cross-stitched design of a central star flower on triangle base, surrounded by seven stars or crosses. The separated initials "M S" flank this design and large crosses flank initials. Three different embroidered borders of black silk combine with drawnwork at bottom above a one-inch self-fringe secured with black stitches.
Provenance
Purchased by donor from the Rev. Fred Weiser in 1997. Weiser notes there are about 15 aprons known; see article in Der Regebogge written "some years ago."
Staining around embroidered design and initials from bleeding embroidery, near top. Age discoloration with small stains overall. Stains along sides. Several thread "pulls". Areas of missing embroidery on three crosses at bottom. Small hole at lower right of design.
Conserved Nov. 1997 by Dorothy McCoach of Bethlehem, PA
Object ID
G.97.39.9
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Hampton Randolph, Sr., Heritage Center Collection
Hepplewhite blanket chest of walnut with dovetail construction. Hinged lid with centered inlaid eagle in flight and applied molding on three sides. Eagle is heavy in form, without shields, banners or stars. Front and sides undecorated except for hollow corner rectanglular cartouches of string inlay; one on each side and two on front.
Two drawers below the mid-line molding have the same inlay rectangles as well as bail handles and oval lock escutcheons. The left drawer has a "1" on the bottom in red chalk and an illegible pencil inscription. The right drawer has a "2" in the same place and in red chalk. Applied base molding and supported by French feet.
Cannot open chest due to missing key. John Snyder reports that "Fianna Bitzer" is written on the inside of the chest lid. She was born in 1861, the daughter of Martin and Annie Royer Bitzer of Ephrata Twp. Although Bitzer was a later owner, Snyder believes that the chest was originally in the Bitzer or Royer families.
Note: John Snyder states that there is a small group of Lancaster County chests and a desk with eagle inlays like this one. This is the best documented piece of the group.
Northern Lancaster County, likely Ephrata area
Provenance
Chest was purchased by John Snyder from Greg Kramer at the York Antiques Show in May 1993. Kramer had just purchased it at Alderfer Auction Co. May 20, 1993. Snyder then sold it to his mother Evelyn Snyder who donated it to the museum.
Has significant cracks, especially on front side where a midline crack extends entire length of chest. Front has inlay losses; in unstable condition; reglued in Jan. 1996 by Clifford Clayton, as well as repair to damaged feet. Dark stains and marring on lid with molding loss at front right. Water spots and worn finiah across lower section of front and feet. Strong wear overall. Old refinishing. Hardware appears to be replaced. No key for opening chest.
On 10/11, discovered extreme detaching of proper right front foot, partially on front left foot and minimally on back left. Reseated all nails but replaced one short rose-head nail at front section of proper right foot w/ modern box nail. It will not penetrate farther, however, and is not properly seated) Old nail placed in envelope in drawer.
Object ID
G.94.19.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of Evelyn R.G. Snyder, Heritage Center Collection
Two-piece corner cupboard, white pine, painted with brown glaze over yellow (possibly a mid-19th century repainting). Bold cornice over a band of thin reeding in staggered blocks on fascia. Pilasters of thin reeding flank door sections. Upper section has large door with 12 lights (7.5" x 6.5") of old glass, hand-cut tin lock escutcheon and latch with brass pendant ring handle. with; staggered fluting on fascia. The bottom section has bracket feet with below carved sunbursts. Double doors with triple-raised panels and latch with brass pendant ring handle. The interior is painted off-white, and has four shelves furnished with plate moldings along back.
Pencil inscriptions at top inside rail of each bottom door. Left door appears to have "John Rentschler" or similar name, likely an owner. Rentschler name is found in Berks County in mid-19th c.
Lancaster County, possibly Strasburg area
Provenance
Purchased from Park Edwards at a Strasburg, PA sale in April, 1969. It was then purchased from a Walter Himmelreich sale in October, 1971 by Harry Hartman Antiques. Purchased by Museum Sept. 1979.
Scattered losses overall, with chipping and gouges. Evidence of most wear and damage is at cornice, mid-line molding and feet. Existing finish likely a late 19th c. repaint. Strong paint losses on molding at base of upper section. Large area of wood loss in lower left door adjacent to latch. Upper cupboard has wood losses along back edge of right side and reeding at fascia.
Object ID
P.79.101.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Birth & Baptism Certificate, hand done in pen & ink and watercolor, executed on wove paper in German, attributed to Abraham Brubaker (1760-1831), blanks not infilled (never used).
Fratkur has wide ruled border filled with "wave" decoration. Within is a large heart made with elongated leaves alternating with little circles. Inside heart is text done in red ink. "Geburts und Taufschein" is above heart. First three nouns of text have initial letters decorated with stripes. Lower section of heart is partitioned off with six lines of religious verse done in black and red.
Above heart are three flowers with black leaves. Lower corners have large standing multicolored birds holding a carnation sprig. A large vining unopened tulip fills in this space on each side.
A watermark of "S. B." with large open letters with serifs is at center. This appears to be the watermark of Samuel Boyer of Oley Twp. in Berks Co. A history (PM-22 in American Watermarks) states Samuel Boyer listed as a papermaker in 1832, although the Boyers were generally merchants and possibly had paper made for them. Example on p. 181, fig. 837, matches watermark on Brubaker fraktur; it is from a Lancaster Co. document dated 1807.
Abraham Brubaker (former "Huber Artist") was from a Mennonite family and active c. 1790-1829. He was one of the most prolific artists working among the Mennonites. A small percentage of his work were BBC's (which included baptism, a non-Mennonite practice) such as this example.
Clarke Hess, an expert on Mennonite arts, suggests this was executed circa 1815
Fraktur birth certificate for Lydia Glasz / Glass, daughter of Leonard Glass and wife Christina, nee German. Hand drawn and colored on paper. Unusual confronting women with yellow dresses and red parasols flank central textblock within border. Tree of life above textblock; undulating plant w/ flowers sit on shelf at sides. Triple-line outside border.
German text translates to "Lydia Glasz daughter of Leonard Glasz and his wife Christina a born German. Was born 25th day of Jan. in the year of our Lord 1811.
Some buckling of paper overall. Some bleeding of ink, causing brown marks around letters; also in entire upper left corner. Small 1.4" brown streak below the word "Christina" in center panel.
Condition report of 1986 by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Phila. in file. No documented treatment. Matted and framed in 1996 by conservator Brian Howard.
Object ID
P.77.12
Notes
Similar to designs of Plate #61 in Weiser & Heaney, Penna. German Fraktur of The Free Library of Phila., v.1.
Research: Ancestry.com gives the marriage of fraktur recipient Lydia Glass to John Kempfer on 20 Nov. 1828 in Ephrata at the Bethany United Church of Christ. Husband John was born 19 Feb. 1809, died 4 April 1865. Lydia died 24 June 1853. Their daughter Elizabeth Kempfer (1836-1909) married David Rudy Buch (1834-1925) and lived in Lititz.
Ancestry also gives the 1810 Census in Earl, Lancaster Co. that lists Leonard Glase with 4 household members under 16 yrs., 1 at 16-25 yrs., and 2 over 25 yrs. Total of seven in home. Lydia was born the following year in 1811.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Birth & baptismal certificate on laid paper. Printed form with central textblock in German within a multiple line border. Infilled and decorated around textblock by Speyer; cross-legged angel at top, pelicans feeding young at sides and flowers at sides and bottom. Watercolors are red, blue, yellow, green and brown.
Infilled for Johannes, son of Valiendein (Valentine) and Eliesabetha (Elisabetha) Bohmer of Brecknock Township in Lancaster Co., born Dec. 13, 1788.
Georg Friederich Speyer (active 1774-1801) used this printed form produced c. 1789 by Barton & Johnson of Reading. See Notes.
General wear with numerous creases and wrinkles; one pronounced vertical centerline crease. Repaired tears, esp at left edge. All edges are ragged and uneven, esp. at right.
Conserved by CCAHA in 1989 (see report in file). Hinged into window mat & back mat. Relaced in its original frame using UF-3 Plexiglas and acid-free cardboard on reverse with a taped mylar dust shield.
Object ID
G.77.50.1
Notes
Printed form by Reading printers Thomas Barton and Benjamin Johnson, circa 1789 (see Klaus Stopp, The Printed Birth & Baptismal Certificates of the Pa. Germans, v. 4, p. 84). Speyer used this printed form for Johannes Bohmer who was born the previous year in1788.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Flanders Smith, Heritage Center Collection
Needle cleaner, painted cut velvet and paper, emery sand within. Rectangular box shape; sides slope in to smaller base. Padded top covered with yellow velvet decorated with painted green flowers. Sides and base covered with a glossy tan paper.
Laid paper label pasted onto bottom has handwritten inscription in ink: "Magdelena Andrews (Ressler) received this needel(sic) cleaner in 1825 when three years of age then in 1895 gave it to her granddaughter Clara Aument."
Compare similar needle cleaner 2002.004
Lancaster County, possibly Colerain Twp.
Provenance
Inscription indicates origin as a gift to 3-yr-old Magdalena Andrews (19 Sep 1822 - 24 Nov 1897), daughter of Joseph and Marie (Mary) Andrews. Magdalena married Martin Boehm Ressler, a farmer in Strasburg. Their daughter Annie married H. Elmer Aument and had a daughter Clara P. Aument (1892 - 1974), unmarried & a clerk in Lancaster City. The needle cleaner was given to granddaughter Clara in 1895, two years before Magdalena's death. Finally given to museum by unknown donor.
Wear, soil and fading overall. Small losses of velvet. Paper is cracked, soiled and worn.
Object ID
G.87.08
Notes
Andrews family were early settlers in Colerain Twp., including a Joseph Andrews - see Ellis & Evans pp. 728, 732, 733. Census 1810-1850 show a Joseph Andrews in Colerain Twp. The 1850 Census shows Joseph & Mary in Strasburg, living next to daughter Magdalena family (Martin Ressler).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Courtesy of LancasterHistory, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
All cotton quilt of pieced blocks in pinwheel pattern, using early 19th c. dress fabrics. Within a wide border of yellow print -- three sides only -- is a field of blocks set on point. Pieced blocks have a pinwheel pattern composed of four solid white triangles and four red floral print triangles. Alternate blocks are a print of blue stripes alternating with stripes of brown & blue flowers with white ground. Half-blocks in large triangle form use the same striped print to surround the center field on three sides. The triangles at top are a plaid print of blue, tan and brown.
Quilting patterns are feathers in wide yellow border, waffle in striped blocks and clam shell in triangles. The bordering large triangles have repeating chevrons. An inscription in running stitch in upper right corner block is "Catharine/ Myers the rose/ is read (sic) the leaves/ green here is my/ name when I/ am dead in/ the year/ 1816."
Backing is a red foliate print on white ground. It is brought forward to create binding.
Provenance
Descent through family to Mary E. Walter Ziegler who believed it came from her mother's maternal line (Brubakers and Kempers). Mary Ziegler brought quilt to a Quilt Harvest for documentation in 1992 and considered donating to Heritage Center. In need of funds, she instead sold the family quilt in 1996 to dealer Frances Woods who then sold to Heritage Center.
Extensive research indicates descent from the Walter ancestors of Mary Ziegler's father, one of whom, Peter Walter, was married to a Kathryn Myers (although she was certainly born after the 1816 quilt date). Likely made by another Catherine Myers from the preceeding generation. (See file)
Very good for its age. Some minor wear at edges of binding. Soil visible especially on solid white fabric.
Object ID
P.96.05.1
Notes
Trish Herr notes in Quilting Traditions of Lancaster County, 2000, p. 27, that Catharine was the daughter of Henry (b. 1830) and Barbara Brenner Myers of East Donegal Twp. Catharine later married Peter Walter, also a farmer from the same neighborhood. This CANNOT BY CORRECT since this Catharine was born after the quilt was made. This Catharine Myers Walter is buried in the Cross Roads Church Cemetery.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Quiltmaker
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Butler's desk with bookcase, cherry, Federal style. Secondary wood is poplar. Bookcase section is 54.5" high, has restrained cornice over frieze over two large double-panelled doors. Doors rails are through-tendoned into stiles. Interior bolt at bottom of left drawer missing. Stamped eagle lock escutcheon likely a replacement. Interior side dadoes support four original shelves w/ molded front edge; A fifth shallower shelf is a later addition.
Desk section is 43 1/2" high. Butler-type top drawer over three lower graduated drawers w/ diagonally striped veneer facings and cockbeaded edges that have been planed flat. Stamped oval brasses replace original round pulls (marks visible underneath). Lock escutcheons are brass insets. Large butler's desk drawer hinges down to reveal interior w/ center bank of pigeon holes under a single long center drawer, all flanked by vertical manuscript drawers which are in turn flanked by four stacked, graduated drawers at each side. Most drawers are numbered on bottom and most fitted with tiny brass pulls. Reeded quarter columns at front and back corners. Applied strips of reeding at front and side edges of top. Four turned feet with reeded cuffs.
Inscriptions: inside central drawer above cubby holes are pencilled names in modern cursive: Barbara Fisher/ Ellie McMellen, Sadie McMellen/ ( ? ) McMellen."
Maker unknown.
Provenance
According to John J. Snyder, Jr., secretary was owned by James Buchanan's physician, Dr. Henry Carpenter. Original owner was likely either father-in-law John Mathiot (elected sheriff of Lancaster Co. in 1818 and Mayor of Lancaster City in 1831) or his father Henry Carpenter (1773-1835), a surveyor and merchant. Passed down within Carpenter family until 1977 when Snyder, Jr. purchased it at public auction. Donated to Buchanan Foundation May 6, 1988 in memory of Snyder's spaniel Sukey. Transferred to HCLC due to lack of space at Wheatland.
Carpenter, born in 1819, was one of the community's leading physicians. He was founder of the Lancaster County Medical Society in 1844. Dr. Carpenter lived in a brick house on the west side of the first block of South Queen Street.
Sound;refinished. Several wide horizontal cracks at sides of desk. Scars overall; deep dent to top front edge of chest, just right of center; large burn mark at left as well as dark stains. Bottom of top drawer repaired and patched along lower edge, especially at left. Drawer hardware replaced, inside bolt on left door missing; several small interior drawer pulls missing with some large holes.
Object ID
G.04.28.1
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Usage
Carpenter family
Credit
Gift of James Buchanan Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Walnut Chippendale style bookcase on desk. Bookcase has broken arch pediment with carved scrolls terminating in12-petal rosettes, large flame finials at corners and a carved stylized shell at center. Scrollboard has graceful symmetrical vine carved in relief on nearly smooth ground (usually punched ground). Below are two flat-paneled doors with brass escutcheons; right door has keyhole. Interior shelves. Inset fluted quarter columns.
Lancaster County, certainly Lancaster Borough
Fall-front desk sits on 4 ogee-bracket feet. 4 graduated, thumbmolded drawers, each w/ replacement bail brasses and an oval brass keyhole escutcheon. Inset fluted quarter columns w/ unexpected small volutes carved above capitals. Two wooden slide supports flank top drawer. Replaced fall-front door fitted w/ a brass keyhole escutcheon with swiveling cover. Interior has a central prospect door with shell and leaf carving, opening to two pigeonholes over two drawers. Door is flanked by manuscript drawers faced with baseball bat-shaped carving. On each side are groups of four valanced pigeonholes over four drawers fitted with small bail-type brass pulls. Pencilled inscription on underside of top right interior drawer has "Adam Bare, sheriff," (also dated 1846?). Adam Bare (1784-1877) apparently owned the desk. He was a Mennonite tavernkeeper near New Holland who became sheriff of Lancaster County from 1831-1833. Perhaps his father, John "Bear", was the original owner (he was an innkeeper at a hotel in Bareville, Upper Leacock Twp.).
Provenance
Found in 1938 by S.E. Dyke in a home being demolished on New Holland Ave. S.E. Dyke owned it until 1943, when he sold it to C.W. Lyons of New York City for $4,500. By 1970, it was owned by H.R. Sandor, who sold it to Mrs. Margaret A. Lucas of New York City for $24,500. At some point, General L.W.T. Waller of Meadowbrook, PA, owned the piece and sold it to Ronald A. DeSilva, Inc. of NYC, who sold it to the Heritage Center.
Underside of drawer has: "Adam Bare, sheriff," (also dated 1846?).
Inscription Type
Inscription
Object Name
Secretary
Oither Names
Desk and Bookcase
Material
Wood, Brass
Height (in)
96
Width (in)
42
Depth (in)
23
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2014-08-27
Condition Notes
Extensive restoration (done by unknown person apparently when first obtained by Sam Dyke). Early photo shows damage/losses and restoration: replacement of left scroll and rosette and portion of right rosette; missing fall-front, 3 interior drawers and finials; both front feet damaged (bottom half of left foot missing and right foot cracked); missing right volute, damaged drawers, overall badly scarred with extensive loss of finish, etc.
Above repaired/replaced. There are two significant cracks on the writing surface: one 5" long at right and one 7 1/2" long at left. 1/4" gouge on right side of bookcase. Long horizontal crack across tympanum and one under shell "finial". Long vertical crack a both sides of desk. Repaired vertical crack in right door panel, repairs to both doors' top edges, both escutcheons replaced and holes plugged. Dark stains on inner writing surface.
Left diagonal edge of desk accidentally damaged while at museum in 1984 (see envelope w/ snapshots). Restored by Alan Miller.
Object ID
P.77.34
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Bunch of grapes, carved wood, gessoed and painted dark purple/blue with green leaves. Iron hanging ring attached at top; cluster hangs from a reproduction decorative hanger (see notes).
This bunch of grapes was said to have hung at the Grape Tavern (Sign of the Grapes) at 32-34 North Queen Street, Lancaster, most likely on the interior. This fragile object would not have stood up to outside weather. (Ellis & Evans, writing in 1883, state, "The wrought iron bunch of grapes now hanging in front of the hotel was made for, and used by, Adam Reigart.")
The Grape tavern was built in 1741 by John Harris, then sold at sherrif's sale to Adam Reigart, Sr. in 1769. He ran it from 1769 to March 3, 1794, when John Michael took over ownership. During his ownership, the tavern began its most opulent elegance as well as being called by various names including The Grape, Conestoga Waggon (sic) and Michael's Hotel. He ran it until May 5, 1821, when it was purchased by his son John Michael, Jr. who kept it until 1839, restoring the original name. According to Ellis & Evans, John Michael, Jr. moved the tavern, with the "old familiar sign" to the adjoining lot in 1839. It was then known by the original name as well as Michael House.
Provenance
Once owned by W.U. Hensel (1851-1911) who lived at the historic "Bleak House" near Kinzer, where it hung on the porch. He had a collection of early Lancaster signs.
Pictured on frontispiece of booklet of Hensel's address in 1912 on "Jacob Eichholtz, Painter." The grape sign was sold at the estate sale (March 1947?) of Hensel's daughter Elizabeth Hensel Nauman and purchased for $320 by William Lebzelter of Lancaster City, whose family owned the American House which was successor to the Grape Tavern (Groff and Wolf Dept. Store at time of sale).
No record in file later than this other than the name of seller, Marian L. Schaffner. She was the wife of physician Meade D. Schaffner, on Columbia Ave.
Paint chipping in some spots; some wood loss at tips of some individual grapes. Iron hanging ring has minor rust spots. Minor losses of gesso repaired, gesso loss between grapes at bottom. Nail repairs. Repainted at some date prior to 1984; painted at least once before. Wood at top shows deterioration.
Object ID
P.77.72
Notes
Ellis & Evans, pp. 363, 394 1/2 and 395.
Multiple references in this file including newspaper articles.
Booklet entitled "Jacob Eichholtz, Painter", an address given by W.U. Hensel Nov. 22, 1912 (eve of portrait exhibit at Woolworth's)
Hanger is a reproduction scrolling wrought iron bar with eight small swirls along the top, and is attached to a heart-shaped iron mounting plate. Made by Thomas C. Moore of Glen Rock in January 1978, based on a drawing and painting by David McNeely Stauffer (P77.31.57 and P77.31.22).
Maker is unknown.
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Usage
Grape Tavern
Credit
Gift of James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collecti
