Upcoming Events
All dates and times are weather permitting. There is never a charge to attend programs or to tour the museum.
Ice Cream Social
Join us for a day of music and ice cream at our annual event to thank the community for their support. This year we will also be hosting a food drive for FRIEND, Inc. Bring a non-perishable item to help those in need in our community. Click here to view their wish list.
Music provided by Les Meck and The Physical Wrecks. FREE Ice cream provided by BAD Farms. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the society grounds, the music, and your ice cream. The museum will also be open, and the trains will be running.
Fries Rebellion
Watch the 45 minute film about the Fries Rebellion, then stay for a discussion moderated by Michael Gabriel, PhD (Kutztown University History Department Faculty Member). The film was produced by the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society. In this docudrama, places and events of the Fries Rebellion are seen through the eyes of a modern schoolgirl. Audiences of all ages will be entertained and informed about an insurrection that occurred in 1798-1799, primarily among the German-speaking populations in and surrounding the “Lehigh Hills” region of then Northampton, Eastern Berks, Upper Bucks, and Upper Montgomery counties of Pennsylvania. Several of the scenes feature original sites that still exist, including the Red Lion Inn (formerly Enoch Robert's Tavern - Quakertown), Jamision Publick House (formerly Conrad Mark's Tavern - Geryville), Hendrixson's Furniture Store (formerly John Shymer's Tavern - Shimersville), Buckeye Tavern (formerly Henry Shankweiler's Tavern - Macungie), 1760 House (formerly Peter Trexler's Tavern - Trexlertown), Commix Hotel (formerly Martin Ritter's Tavern - Allentown), and the 1758 Sun Inn (Bethlehem).
FREE ADMISSION
Museum Open and Trains Running
Tour the 1892 Public School Building and the society’s museum, full of artifacts and photographs relevant to the Kutztown area and Pennsylvania Dutch culture. The popular HO model train display will run from 1pm to 3pm. In addition, the Fries Rebellion movie will also be showing for those who missed it on Friday, September 25.
FREE ADMISSION
The History of the Kutztown Area Historical Society
Incorporated in April 1976, the Kutztown Area Historical Society is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary. Society member Craig Koller takes us through the history of the society, from its early days of dedicated volunteers and a meager treasury, the purchase of the 1892 Public School Building, major events and triumphs, and a glimpse of what’s in store for the future. After the presentation, which should last about an hour, stay and tour the building, including the HO trains, which will run until 3pm.
FREE ADMISSION
Holiday Festival
Our annual Holiday Festival, held in the Victorian splendor of our 1892 Public School Building decorated for Christmas, is a Kutztown tradition that kicks off the holiday season. Get a head start on Christmas shopping with our talented group of artists and craftsmen, eat a home cooked meal, see our H-O train display running to its fullest, and enjoy time with friends. There is also a quilt raffle, as well as a raffle for items donated by our vendors and the Kutztown community. NO ADMISSION FEE. We hope to see you all.
Kutztown Day
Come enjoy the coolest spot in town with expanded activities to celebrate the Semiquincentennial. We will be holding a quilt raffle again this year, with the drawing at 5:00.
Gunmakers Fair at Kempton
Visit the 5th Annual Gunmakers Fair at Kempton, July 24-26, 2026. Features seminars, demonstrations, living history re-enactors, artisans, gunmakers and horners celebrating the 18th and 19th century muzzleloading culture. Kutztown historical society is pleased to co-sponsor a rifle raffle to raise funds for this organization and ours. Please visit the fair website for more information https://www.gunmakersfair.com/
The History of Education in Kutztown
Join board members Craig Koller and Brendan Strasser as they discuss the history of education in Kutztown and the history of the 1892 Public School Building. From parochial schools in the 18th century and private schools in the first decades of the 19th through the public school era after the Pennsylvania Free School Act of 1834, they will detail the storied history of how the Kutztown area supported the education of generations of local children and focus particular attention on the building now hosting the society's museum, one of the best preserved examples of Victorian schoolhouse architecture in the Mid-Atlantic states.
Annual General Membership Meeting
Every member of the historical society is encouraged to attend our annual general membership meeting. Held during our normal museum open hours from 1:00-4:00, with the trains running till 3:00. We will have a short meeting at 1:00 including a vote on next year’s board members. Following, will be a program on the history of the historical society and our continuing renovation of the 1892 schoolhouse in honor of the society’s 50th anniversary. The public is invited.
Berks History Day
Join us as we travel to Reading to share a day celebrating Berks County’s rich history! Over twenty museums and historical sites from Berks County will have exhibits and activities highlighting their locations.
Ice Cream Social
Free ice cream at our annual event to thank the community for their support. Music provided by Les Meck and Friends. The museum will also be open, and the trains will be running. Ice cream provided by BAD Farms. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the society grounds, the music, and your ice cream.