Archive Exhibit
Two Centuries of Childhood Mementoes:
Schwenkfelder Documents from 1725 to 1935
All of the documents in this exhibit come from the
Archives of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center.
These documents were produced by Schwenkfelder children
between the ages of 7 and 18.
The photos, of course, simply
present Schwenkfelder children themselves.
Since the major activities
of children in this age range revolve around the school and church almost all of
these documents fall into those two realms. From the school
(after 1762) come copy books, cipher books, and songs for
learning the alphabet. From the church come catechisms, letters
on religious topics, and music. Prior to actual schools,
children learned basic reading and writing at home,
and some of that copy work is presented here, too.
PHOTOS
Portraits of Schwenkfelder Children
Elmer Ellsworth Schultz Johnson 1872-1959
Jacob Paris Schultz Johnson 1874-1908
(who perished in the Boyertown Opera House fire.)
DRAWINGS
Drawings and Cartoon Books
William S. Krauss (1842-1862)
Drawings by William are dated 1857 and 1858 when he was fifteen or sixteen years old.
BOOKPLATES
Bookplate 1828
Lydia Schultz (1814-1874)
The bookplate in this 1784 Schwenkfelder catechism show the owner was Lydia Schultz. She may have made the plate herself.
SCHOOLWORK
Penmanship
Christian Kriebel (1764-1812)
Christian practiced his letters when he was seven years old.
PAGEANT
1934 Centennial Celebration
Claude A. Schultz, Jr. (1920-)
Eugene A. Schultz (1922-2003)
These Schwenkfelder descendants played the roles of Melchior and Christopher Schultz
in this play produced for the bicentennial celebration of the 1734 immigrants.