SCHWENKFELDER LIBRARY & HERITAGE CENTER
105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073
Phone 215 679-3103 Fax 215 679-8175
info@schwenkfelder.com
www.schwenkfelder.com

November 15, 2007

Contact:

David W. Luz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
215-679-3103, phone
215-679-8175, fax
NEW EXHIBITS AT THE SCHWENKFELDER

Pennsburg, PA ---

The Board of Directors of the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 105 Seminary Street, Pennsburg, PA 18073, announces the opening of four new exhibitions in our changing exhibit galleries on Sunday, November 25, 2007. New exhibits opening include "Irwin Mensch, 20th Century Scrivener", "Beaded Whimsies", "Christmas Putz", and "Strollin' the Valley: Artwork of Len Hillegass."

The elaborate Christmas Putz has become a Heritage Center tradition. Miniature scenes with houses, animals and people, on a much smaller scale, were enjoyed through the Christmas season by young and old. If you haven't seen our Putz yet - don't miss this year's. Included this year will be a special "hands-on" mini-Putz for the young or old to set up or change.

The Victorian Beaded Whimsies are from the collection of Dr. Thomas Schantz. These exquisitely detailed little treasures that range from pin cushions to picture frames and everything in between were made by Native Americans for sale to tourists at such attractions as Niagara Falls. This is a rare opportunity to see a well curated collection of these objects that are examples of a happy blending of Native American traditional beading skills and full blown Victoriana.

Irwin Mensch, of Hereford Township, Berks County, was one of a rapidly diminishing group in his day - the mid-20th century - a professional penman and calligrapher. Though often referred to as a Fraktur artist, Mensch's work ran the gamut from copies of Celtic writing to the popular graphic design of his day. He illuminated folksy homilies and scripture in his own inimitable style. Don't miss this retrospective of his work - it's an impressive must-see!

Noted local artist Len Hillegass shares his artistic talents with us in his Meeting Room exhibit: Strollin' the Valley: Artwork by Len Hillegass. Len's lovely, skillfully executed local scenes span the seasons and will take you back to a simpler, quieter time of family farms, covered bridges and untouched expanses of rolling fields. Len's works may be purchased; however, they must remain on exhibit until the conclusion of the exhibition.

With so much to offer, a stop by the Heritage Center this Christmas Season is a must!

The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center was founded in 1884 as an informal collection in a private home to assure the preservation of the Schwenkfelders' cultural identity. Today the Heritage Center, a not-for-profit organization, is still preserving, interpreting, and documenting the history of this German Protestant group, along with the history of the Upper Perkiomen Valley. The Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm; Thursdays 9:00 am to 8:00 pm; Saturdays 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; and Sundays 1:00 to 4:00 pm. The Heritage Center is closed to the public on Mondays. For additional information call 215-679-3103 or visit our website www.schwenkfelder.com

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Images available upon request: Call Candace Perry at 215-679-3103 or email at candace@schwenkfelder.com

David W. Luz
Executive Director
Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073
Tel. 215-679-3103
Fax 215-679-8175
email: info@schwenkfelder.com
www.schwenkfelder.com