A colorful, vibrant encounter with the past at the Dewees Tavern in Trappe, Pennsylvania. Did you ever wonder what every day items in a Colonial house looked like? You would guess that most of those items were made of wood. But, would you guess they were expertly painted by local artists and are now prized possessions of keen eyed collectors? You can see examples of this material culture from the past, grouped together at the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, aka Dewees Tavern.
Kudos to Lisa Minardi, executive director, for her tireless efforts to assemble this astonishing exhibition and special thanks to all the owners who shared their collections with the public.
Lisa Minardi has pieced together a room full of examples of the “best of the best” paint decorated 18th/early 19th century furniture, boxes, and fraktur, which are hand designed and painted family records on paper.
The title of the exhibition is, “Valley Culture: Constructing Identity Along the Great Wagon Road.” The Valley Culture here includes six different regions in south eastern Pennsylvania and Virginia- Perkiomen Valley, Tulpehocken Valley, Cocalico Valley, Mahantongo Valley, Brothers Valley, and Shenandoah Valley.
Seeing items of various sizes and colors grouped together allows the viewer to compare and contrast style and form. Below is a small sample of the huge impact this exhibition creates.
Located at 301 West Main Street Trappe, PA 19426
Exhibition closes August 17, 2025
See www.historictrappe.org for more information
Chest attributed to Johannes Spitler, 1774-1837 Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
Hanging Cupboard attributed to Johannes Spitler 1774-1837 Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
A selection of boxes by Jonas Weber 1810-1876 Lancaster Couny, Pennsylvania
A group of boxes by The Compass Artist of Cocalico Valley, Pennsylvania, active 1820-1850
A wall of Fraktur by various artists, created in Perkiomen Valley, Pennsylvania, The chest below was made in either Berks or Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 1795
Recently discovered Mahantongo Chest of drawers, dated 1829 Mahantongo Valley, Pennsylvania