Maintaining buildings that date to the 18th century can be a scary proposition. For a nonprofit such as the Lititz Historical Foundation, fundraising is an essential part of preserving such buildings and securing artifacts that tell the town’s history. It was 65 years ago that a group of dedicated Lititz residents set out to preserve the rich history of the Lititz area by founding the Lititz Historical Foundation, a nonprofit organization that oversees the Lititz Museum, the Johannes Mueller House and the Mary Oehme Gardens.
The museum, which is housed in the Christian Schropp (1793) house, transports visitors back to the late 1700s and the Moravian society of Lititz. An illustrated timeline depicts the growth of Lititz from Native American settlements through the incorporation of the present borough system. The Sutter Room, dedicated to General John Sutter, founder of Sacramento, California, and a resident of Lititz from 1871 to 1880, is furnished with items from his home. Other rooms throughout the museum offer items that are unique to Lititz.
Next door, in the Johannes Mueller House, costumed docents lead visitors through the 1792 home, offering a captivating glimpse at what everyday life was like for an 18th-century tradesman and his family in a closed Moravian settlement. The house retains its original architectural character and has been carefully restored with hundreds of traditional items from the late 1700s and early 1800s. The items are all family heirlooms that have been lovingly passed down through generations of Lititz families and donated to the foundation so that others may explore the diverse historical, regional and social traditions of the early Moravian settlers.
The Foundation has gotten creative where fundraising is concerned, offering events throughout the year such as Whiskey & History Tours (held in conjunction with Stoll & Wolfe Distillery) that concluded for the year in mid-October. The Foundation’s annual and successful Antiques Show is held in June. The Mary Oehme Gardens, which is celebrating 30 years this year, is made available for weddings and other social events. In addition, the Foundation offers guided tours of Lititz and operates a museum store.
Seasonal events also abound. The Gardens host the popular Plant Exchange each spring, as well as the summer concert series. Next on the agenda is the Departed Spirits Tour, being held October 24. Guests, who are guided by costumed docents, are introduced to “departed spirits” who share their stories. Tour-goers also learn about and visit sites such as the Revolutionary War hospital and a corpse house. Tours leave the museum complex every 15 minutes from 5 to 8 p.m. (some are sold out). The Foundation is also excited to share an arrest warrant issued in 1691 in Salem, Massachusetts, weeks before the start of the Salem Witch Trials. The warrant will be on view in the museum during the event.
The holidays bring more events. On November 21 and December 5, classes will delve into the art of creating paper German Stars. Also known as Froebel Stars, they honor the German educator, Friedrich Froebel, who used paper-folding techniques to teach math to his students. The classes will be held at the museum at 1 p.m. each day.
The Foundation will partner with the Lititz Moravian Archives on December 10 for the annual Community Christmas Carol Sing being held in Moravian Church Square at 6:30 p.m. The Moravian Trombone Choir will be in attendance. Afterwards, attendees are welcome to enjoy light refreshments in Fellowship Hall. This is a free event, but donations are always appreciated.
The popular Candlelight Tour of the Johannes Mueller House will be held December 11 & 12. Guests will receive a guided tour of the Mueller home and learn the story of its owner and his family, as well as the history and customs of the early Moravian community of Lititz during the 18th century. Tours depart every 15 minutes and run from 5-8 p.m. each evening.
For ticket information, visit Lititzhistoricalfoundation.com
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