The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

08/14/2026

Join us for an exploration of the vibrant barn stars or “hex signs” of the decorated barns of Northern Berks County—a uniquely American art form and the best-known symbol of the Pennsylvania Dutch culture.

Guided by Patrick Donmoyer of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center and celebrated barn star artist Eric Claypoole, this charter bus tour will feature over 2 dozen of the region’s finest decorated barns tucked away in the heart of Berks County’s farm country. Experience the unique features of the Pennsylvania Dutch folk-cultural landscape and learn how local barn star artists shaped the region’s folk-art traditions.

This tour is sponsored by Experience Reading & Berks County and Unique Chauffeured Services, and all proceeds support cultural programming at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Departure Times:
9:00 AM
1:00 PM

Tour Duration:
Approximately 2 ½ Hours

Departure Point:
22 Luckenbill Rd., Kutztown, PA 19530

Door prizes per coach:

- A signed copy of “Painter of the Stars: The Life and Work of Milton J. Hill (1887-1972)” By Lee S. Heffner and Patrick J. Donmoyer.

- A signed copy of “100 Barns: Selected Works of Eric Claypoole (1972-2022)” by Patrick Donmoyer and Eric Claypoole.

- A signed copy of “Hex Signs: Sacred and Celestial Symbolism in Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Stars” by Patrick Donmoyer.

- A signed copy of “Decorated Barns of the Pennsylvania Dutch in Northern Berks County” by Patrick J. Donmoyer & the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania.

https://www.givecampus.com/schools/KutztownUniversityFoundation/events/back-roads-barn-stars-tour

06/26/2026

DUE TO RAIN PREDICTION, PA GERMAN DAY HAS BEEN RELOCATED TO THE DELIGHT E. BREIDEGAM BUILDING, HEADQUARTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER, 15155 KUTZTOWN ROAD, KUTZTOWN PA 19530.

Pennsylvania German Day 2026
Second Annual Pennsylvania German Day showcases the music, humor, and language of the Pennsylvania Dutch at Kutztown University.
KUTZTOWN, PA – The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center will host the second annual Pennsylvania German Day on June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kutztown University. Pennsylvania German Day 2026 will showcase a sampler of Pennsylvania German music, humor, and language that will honor the Pennsylvania Legislature’s declaration fifty years ago for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day in 1976.

Pennsylvania German Day will take place in the DeLight E. Breidegam Building, Headquarters of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, located at 15155 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, PA 19530.

At 10:30 a.m. the program will open with a performance with the internationally-recognized Pennsylvania German music sensation, the Shooflies, an up-and-coming family band promoting the preservation and enjoyment of Pennsylvania Dutch music, language, and culture. At 11:15 a.m. the Shooflies will perform a Pennsylvania Dutch-language sing-along with leading Pennsylvania Dutch language online educator and musician, Doug Madenford.

At 1:00 p.m. a hilarious program of Pennsylvania Dutch-language jokes and translations will be offered by community language teachers David and Jean Adam. At 1:45, the program will continue with a performance of music and comedy by Doug Madenford.

Throughout the program, readings in Pennsylvania Dutch language, including stories and poetry, will be presented as part of the continuation of Schreiwer Fescht, a writer’s celebration originally founded as part of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Closing remarks will include “Ferwas mir kumme zamme” (why we come together) as a tribute to the Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2294, Session 1976, PA Legislative Act 113, providing for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day, approved June 29, 1976.

The event is free, fun, and educational for the whole family. Food concessions will be served by the Kutztown Lion’s Club.

For more information, follow PGCHC on Facebook and Instagram, visit pagerman.org/pa-german-day-2026/, or call 610-683-1589.

06/16/2026

In case you missed National Ag Day back on March 17, here is a video of our presentation as part of a collaboration with the Berks County Department of Agriculture, celebrating the decorated barns of Northern Berks County.

A video about Berks Agriculture Day is introduced by Patrick Donmoy...

06/15/2026

Pennsylvania German Day 2026
Second Annual Pennsylvania German Day showcases the music, humor, and language of the Pennsylvania Dutch at Kutztown University
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KUTZTOWN, PA – The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center will host the second annual Pennsylvania German Day on June 27, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kutztown University. Located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead, Pennsylvania German Day 2026 will showcase a sampler of Pennsylvania German music, humor, and language that will honor the Pennsylvania Legislature’s declaration fifty years ago for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day in 1976.
Pennsylvania German Day will take place in the picturesque barnyard of the historic Sharadin Barn built and decorated in 1855 at the historic Sharadin Farmstead at 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA 19530.
At 10:30 a.m. the program will open with a performance with the internationally-recognized Pennsylvania German music sensation, the Shooflies, an up-and-coming family band promoting the preservation and enjoyment of Pennsylvania Dutch music, language, and culture. At 11:15 a.m. the Shooflies will perform a Pennsylvania Dutch-language sing-along with leading Pennsylvania Dutch language online educator and musician, Doug Madenford.
At 1:00 p.m. a hilarious program of Pennsylvania Dutch-language jokes and translations will be offered by community language teachers David and Jean Adam. At 1:45, the program will continue with a performance of music and comedy by Doug Madenford.
Throughout the program, readings in Pennsylvania Dutch language, including stories and poetry, will be presented as part of the continuation of Schreiwer Fescht, a writer’s celebration originally founded as part of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Closing remarks will include “Ferwas mir kumme zamme” (why we come together) as a tribute to the Pennsylvania House Bill No. 2294, Session 1976, PA Legislative Act 113, providing for the observance of Pennsylvania German Day, approved June 29, 1976.
The event is free, fun, and educational for the whole family. Food concessions will be served by the Kutztown Lion’s Club.
For more information, follow PGCHC on Facebook and Instagram, visit pagerman.org/pa-german-day-2026/, or call 610-683-1589.

05/11/2026

Pennsylvania German Day - June 27, 2026, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join us for a sampler of Pennsylvania German language, musical performances, humor, and folk culture!
With food by the Kutztown Lions Club.
Location: Heritage Center Farm, 22 Luckenbill Road, Kutztown, PA 19530.
Rain Location: DeLight E. Breidegam Building, 15155 Kutztown Road, Kutztown PA 19530.
Virtual option available, email us for a link at [email protected].

04/14/2026

Join us for a collaborative event with the Historic Barn & Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania for the 2026 Barn Tour "Decorated Barns of the Pennsylvania Dutch" produced in cooperation with the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University. Registration Required, limited seating, sign up now!

https://pahistoricbarns.org/2025/08/25/decorated-barns-of-the-pennsylvania-dutch/