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Welcome to The 1803 House in Emmaus, Pennsylvania

friends@1803house.org

         
"Happy New Year from the Friends of the 1803 House"!

 


About the 1803 House 
In 1803 Jacob Ehrenhardt, Jr. built this stone, Federal-style home for his wife Susanna and their four daughters, Barbara, Anna Marie, Anna Eleonora and Suzanna.   It was located near the Moravian Church, surrounded by crop fields, the South Mountain and a stream nearby on a plot of land owned by his father, Jacob Ehrenhardt Sr.  Step inside and go back in time to the early 1800's after the Moravians had settled in Emmaus.  The house preserves the architecture of the Moravian culture of Colonial Pennsylvania and illustrates the lifestyle of Colonial America.  This beautiful renovated "time capsule" is a vital link to our heritage and one of the oldest structures in Emmaus. The 1803 House is located at 55 South Keystone Avenue in  Emmaus, PA is managed by The Friends of the 1803 House and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  More history;  A Photo Tour; How to help; Become a Member

         

         



What's Happening at the 1803 House?
Archaeology Resumes with Lehigh University...
Archaeology Professor David Small of Lehigh University has been working with teams of students and with important volunteers from  Emmaus on excavations at the 1803 House.  Lehigh’s enterprise was not the first however, and due recognition must be given to Ryan Loughren who was a teacher at the local Seven Generations Charter School.  Ryan took several students to dig south of the kitchen and exposed important walls to a building which we are today exploring.  For the past two years Lehigh students and Emmaus volunteers have been working to understand the buried walls behind the kitchen. They have currently excavated a small section of  what was a larger building. What this building was is still undetermined. The best estimate to date is that it was a log cabin which was used by the builders of the 1803 House, before the house was built. See progress; 2019 Privy Project; 2019 East Penn Press Article

    

           



2019 Events at the 1803 House:
 "Sips & Strings" at the 1803 House...Sunday May 19, 2019 from 2pm to 5pm:  This fundraiser which helped to restore the colonial windows in the 1803 House, included bites from David's Italian Market, wine tasting in a commemorative wine glass, string music from Montero Violins, and Russ Rentler. Everyone enjoyed an afternoon with wine, food and music. Article from the East Penn Press; Spring Photo Gallery

Emmaus Heritage Alliance Education Project: For the third year, The 1803 House, the Shelter House, God's Acre and the Knauss Homestead will be hosting a Pilot Program with the East Penn School District.  Third graders from four elementary schools will explore and learn about their community, the history of Emmaus and how children lived during the time periods of each site. 2018 article or 2019 East Penn Press article

"Bites + Brews" at the 1803 House...September 22, 2019 from 4 to 7 for information; The fundraiser includes burgers and more form Licensed 2 Grill food truck, a variety of Funk's beers in a commentative 1803 House pilsner glass and music by Larry Killingsworth. Your donation will help the Friends of the 1803 House rebuild the colonial window that are in need of repair. Autumn Photo  Gallery or 2019 East Penn Press Article

"Old Fashioned Christmas at the 1803 House"...December 7, 2019 from noon - 4pm:  This event is always the 1st Saturday of December at the 1803 House. In 2018 visitors enjoyed the fire in open hearth baking gingerbread and beef stew, warm cider, holiday treats, Christmas tree with colonial  decorations, window sill decorated by members of the Emmaus Garden Club, scale Emmaus building models by Andre Fatula, ornament crafting for the children, "1803 House Church Baby" sale, annual homemade wreath sale and holiday tours of the 1803 House.  Photo Gallery.

2019 Events in Emmaus:
Emmaus Founders Day...Saturday, July 27, 2019 from 6pm to 8pm  For Information  The Knauss Homestead and the 1803 House are partnering to sponsor the Emmaus Founders Day in honor of the Knauss and Ehrenhardt families, founders of Emmaus. This is the day to remember a major event occurred to celebrate, give thanks and to reflect upon the evolution of our community. It is an event to reflect on the foundation of our 'village small' created by Sebastian Knauss and Jacob Ehrenhardt. It is a time to look back at our historical journey and to look ahead to sustain the welfare of all persons that call Emmaus home.  A dinner is prepared by Licensed 2 Grill. East Penn Press article 

Emmaus Heritage Festival...Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 11am to 3pm:  Live music, crafts, food truck, displays, games and so much more.at the Emmaus Historical Society 2018 Main Street, Emmaus.

"Old Fashioned Christmas" in Emmaus...Saturday December 7, 2019 from 10am to 8pm:  This event is always the 1st Saturday of December in Emmaus at the Triangle Park. There will be many holiday celebration activities throughout the town of Emmaus.  Photo Gallery

  


 

 

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Recent News:

Emmaus Paint-A-Hydrant Program

East Penn Press Article; Detailed Pictures
Meet Lindsay Fujita...she was inspired to paint something to represent the history of the Moravians and showcase the 1803 House as one of their historic sites.  This fire hydrant is perfectly situated for her inspiration as it is located across from the Moravian Church and in front of the home of the future builder of the 1803 House.  The 1803 House in honored...
THANK YOU LINDSAY!
Why NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. was in Emmaus?

Morning Call article; or  "Ramblings from the Bench" 

 Appeal to Restore Windows...
  
Donation form

Need a Tour or Speaker? 
Tours-Slideshow@1803house.org; 

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