Pennsylvania German Christmas Displayed at Log House

Pouring rain outside wasn't enough to dampen the spirits inside the Bortz log cabin in Wescosville two weeks ago as visitors there got a glimpse of what Christmas was like 200 years ago.

Candles aglow in the windows and warmth from the huge walk-in fireplace made for a cozy atmosphere. That, coupled with a traditional German Christmas tree decorated with handmade ornaments brought to mind a holiday season from years gone by.

Greeting visitors were members of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society (LMTHS), who were on hand to discuss the history of the four-room log cabin built by Henry Bortz in 1792. Society President Craig Bartholomew explained that the structure, which began as a two-room house, was originally thought to be a summer kitchen located at the former Wescosville Hotel, on the site where Hunan Springs restaurant now stands. The building was later moved to a spot farther south on Hamilton Boulevard now occupied by an orthodontist's office, and in 1989, through the efforts of Nancy Leibensperger and a number of township residents, was moved again, to its present location at 5047 Hamilton Boulevard. Bartholomew was quick to point out that Leibensperger spearheaded a group that included Bill Erdman, president of Keystone Engineering, in soliciting private funds to offset the cost of the relocation.

The township laid a foundation for the building, and the move was completed by a group of Amish and Mennonite workers. Renovation of the cabin began in 2001, and, Bartholomew noted, all work was done with volunteer labor, with the exception of the newly constructed fireplace, which he added, was built using skilled laborers who were on probation with Lehigh County.

The cabin is made up of four rooms: a sitting room and kitchen on the first floor, with two bedrooms on the second. One bedroom was sparsely furnished in 19^th-century fashion, with two beds a table and blanket chest. The second bedroom contained a display of early artifacts donated by Norman Hoffman, whose family occupied the home from 1924 to 1927 when it sat on the site of the orthodontist's office. Other Society members also added to the collection.

Pat Taylor of Pottsville was busy showing off her Colonial culinary talents in the kitchen, where a  small cauldron of homemade soup simmered in the fireplace, along with a cake, which she explained would bake for about 35 minutes in a redware crock inside a cast iron pot. A lid with coals from the fire topped the pot, which was then placed directly into the fireplace. In the meantime, she mixed up a batch of peppermint-flavored butter cream, making a confection to satisfy the sweet tooth. Visitors were treated to warm mulled cider and cookies.

In the sitting room, visitors could take a look at framed photos depicting the cabin in its earlier stages, along with a hand-drawn map by society treasurer Chris Seedorff, and vice president Chuck Peters added commentary on the building's history.

The log cabin is open during society events, which are announced in the Society calendar at www.lmths.org.