Welcome!
This site is dedicated to Nicholas Stoltzfus, Amish pioneer, and the preservation
of the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead.
Here you will find some history on Nicholas, the early Stoltzfus family and
Amish settlements in the
Reading and Lancaster, Pennsylvania area.
Select this link to enjoy a video presentation of
the history of the Nicholas Stoltzfus House.
Upcoming Events
The Nicholas Stoltzfus House will be open for tours
Tuesday August 5th and 19th, from 10 AM to 2PM.
Download details of the Tennesse John Renuion
Download the registration form for Tennesse John Renuion
Tennessee John was an Amish deacon in the mid to late 1800’s who favored church reforms. Some of the issues he debated was “whether to baptize by pouring from a jar or kneeling in a river, to meet in homes or in meetinghouses, to wear or not to wear raincoats, and whether or not to have photographs in their homes……” Tennessee John and others of his time eventually led reforms that split the Amish church between what we now know “Old Order Amish” and “Amish Mennonites”.
Come learn about this amazing man! Saturday, Sept 27th – Music & Arts Festival
The 2nd annual Bluegrass/Gospel Music and Arts Festival with plenty of jamming, food, vendors……bring your lawn chair and come listen to our music, eat our food and pursue the vendors.
Friday, Oct 10th – Berks County Heritage TourThe Amish originally settled in Berks County, PA. Visit many of the houses lived in by our Amish descendants and learn about various Amish gravesites where our immigrant ancestors are buried. Many folks want to visit where the Hostettler massacre too place, where Bishop Jacob Hertzler lived and is buried, as well as many of the other 70 family ancestors. The Nicholas Stoltzfus House is the only homestead with descendant ownership, thanks to the Leader family.
Wednesday, Oct 22nd – Don Kraybill book signingProfessor Don Kraybill will be at a dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord to talk about his new book on the Amish beard cutting incident. An event he knows well, as he was an expert witness for the prosecution at the Samuel Mullet trial in Cleveland, OH. Tickets are limited. Call for reservations.
Saturday, May 2, 2015 – The Nicholas Stoltzfus House AuctionIf you have never attended one of our auctions, please plan to attend next year's auction that is moving to the first saturday in May, May 2, 2015. Please mark you calendar and plan to attend.
Download the Summer 2014 Newletter
PHOTOS from the 2013 auction
Saving The Stoltzfus House
In the Lancaster newspapers 11/20/2012
and lancasteronline.com
Download The 2012
House Restoration Progress Brochure
Read about the July 27, 2012 Barn Raising
View photos of the barn raising on youtube
Recently added articles
Read the Article by Tom Infield in
The Philly Inquirer on 9/5/2011
How Firm a Foundation? The Barn Construction Begins.
Newsletter and Publications Archive
Speech given at Barn Groundbreaking
by Merle W. Stoltzfus
Faith Heritage of the Stoltzfus Familyby Merle W. Stoltzfus
Photos from the 2011 barnraising
Make it a day at historical Berks Parks!
Begin the day at the NSH, have lunch in the local pavilion,
then see the Gruber Wagon Works, the Canal Museum, and take to the trails.
Or canoe on the Tulpehocken.
In 2006 members of the Preservation Committee met with Michael Leader, President and CEO of Country Meadows. He assured the Committee he supports future development based on the Committees's goals. Preservation is assured through an agreement with Country Meadows.
The goals include completing a barn with an apartment for caretakers to replace the house trailer, public restrooms, a heritage room, and a utility room. Inquiries can be made by calling 717-808-7785.
Nicholas Stoltzfus House drawing by Roger Cooke - Used by Permission.