The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University is a place, a museum, and a year-round program.

The Center represents the commitment of Kutztown University to the preservation of Pennsylvania German (“Pennsylvania Dutch”) history, folkore, and traditions. It is part of the University’s educational and cultural program.

On the site is a stone farmhouse, a cold storage wash house, butcher house (both circa 1800), a Swiss bank barn (1871), a corn-crib shed and a inverted corn crib (circa 1890), a pigsty (1928), and the Freyberger School, an authentically-restored one room school (circa 1870). The school was moved to the farm site for educational purposes.

The Center houses the collection of more than 10,000 artifacts of the Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Culture Society. The distinctive collection represents Pennsylvania German rural life of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There is special emphasis on the household, the school, women’s clothing, as well as farm and agricultural equipment. The collection contains many rare and fascinating items related to Pennsylvania German life.

The Center also houses the Pennsylvania German Genealogical Center, an important resource established through the research of the late Russell Baver and through subsequent contributions of materials. All of these genealogical resources are available to the public. Inquiries are invited.