The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
Help support us by becoming a member today!
The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is an open-air folklife museum and research center dedicated to preserving and celebrating Pennsylvania German folk culture, history, and language in a unique educational setting at Kutztown University. Located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead, the Heritage Center engages the University community and the public with seasonal cultural programming, historic buildings and exhibitions, a world-class research library collection, as well as conferences, online-educational resources, lectures, and classes in Pennsylvania Dutch language. An extensive research library is available for all who wish to conduct genealogical, historical, linguistic, and cultural research. The Heritage Center also publishes Hiwwe wie Driwwe, the world's only Pennsylvania German newspaper, and the Annual Publication Series, which showcases premier research in Pennsylvania German Studies. The Heritage Center offers tours of the historic site by appointment to individuals, organizations, and schools. Please visit the Heritage Center, become a member, and help support cultural programming at Kutztown University.
Freyberger Schoolhouse
1870's Brick One-Room Schoolhouse
Freyberger Schoolhouse
Inside the One-Room Schoolhouse
Schoolhouse Textbooks
Reading, writing, and arithmetic books used by children attending one-room schoolhouses.
Sharadin Farmhouse
1814 Stone Farmhouse
School and Group Tours Available
Guided tours can be scheduled by calling the Heritage Center Office.
Sharadin Farmhouse
Entryway to the home looks straight into the kitchen.
Sharadin Farmhouse Parlor
Decorated for Christmas, the parlor fireplace features portraits of Ephram Sharadin and ancestors of Dr. Don Yoder.
Sharadin Farmhouse Kitchen
The large hearth is the focal point of this well-used kitchen.
Student Interns
The Heritage Center works closely with multiple departments at Kutztown University to provide internships for students.
Sharadin Bank Barn
1820's Bank Barn
Student Workers
Student Workers are able to try their hand at traditional crafts of the PA Germans
Corrigan Log Cabin
Now used as a Tin Smith Shop, the Corrigan Log Cabin also showcases a collection of tools.
Student Workers
The Heritage Center has a variety of opportunities for students on site.
Sharadin Summer kitchen
Summer Kitchen
We are excited to announce that the DeLight E. Breidegam Building, Headquarters of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is now open to the public. Our new headquarters features access to the Heritage Center Library & Archives, as well as thematic exhibitions in our galleries. It is located at 15155 Kutztown Road, Kutztown PA 19530, with parking located at the back of the building by the main entrance.
Tours of the open-air folklife museum located on the historic Sharadin Farmstead at 22 Luckenbill road, Kutztown PA 19530, must be scheduled in advance.
Requests for research or information must also be scheduled by appointment only. Contact us to schedule an appointment with a staff member.
Hours of Office Operation:
Monday through Friday:
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Phone: 610-683-1589
15155 Kutztown Road
Kutztown, PA 19530