KU dedicates new headquarters of Pa. German center
There is a Pennsylvania Dutch word, “laerne,” that describes the new DeLight E. Breidegam Building, headquarters of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University.
“It’s one verb that means to learn and to teach,” said Dr. Jennifer R. Schlegel, associate professor of anthropology and sociology at KU. “Think about that. To learn is to teach and to teach is to learn. And this headquarters is a center of laerne, of learning, in the truest Pennsylvania Dutch manner. It’s learning by doing; it’s teaching by doing. This is quintessentially Pennsylvania Dutch.”
Dedicated to the memory of Breidegam, founder of East Penn Manufacturing Co., Richmond Township, the newly renovated building was formally opened Thursday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The project was funded by the university, Kutztown University Foundation and Breidegam Family Foundation.
DeLight Breidegam “was very much a Berks County boy,” his son Daniel D. Breidegam said, thanking all involved for working to preserve Pennsylvania Dutch culture and heritage.
“I’m very grateful for that,” he said. “I think my dad would be very grateful for that and my family.”
The state-of-the-art research library at15155 Kutztown Road in Maxatawny Township houses a world-class research collection of books, manuscripts, photographs, documents, ephemera and artifacts acquired since the establishment of the center in 1991, said Patrick Donmoyer, site director.
He said the center provides students, faculty, visiting researchers and the public with access to a unique collection showcasing four centuries of Pennsylvania German cultural presence in the region.
“As we cut this ribbon today and dedicate this facility, I wish to emphasize that our work as a museum and cultural center has only just begun,” Donmoyer said. “While we have reached a state of completion for the physical infrastructure of the Heritage Center, the work ahead of us is immense.”
The next step is organizing and cataloging and digitizing previously inaccessible portions of the collection, including thousands of books, manuscripts, doc
uments and multimedia recordings, he said.
The facility gives the organization space to grow and ensures the preservation and accessibility of significant cultural collections for present and future generations, he said. It also provides unique experiential learning opportunities for students, research opportunities for faculty and resources for visiting scholars, researchers, genealogists and others.
KU President Kenneth S. Hawkinson said the center’s opening held special significance for him.
As a young Army officer, Hawkinson was stationed in the northern Bavaria region of Germany from 1979 to 1982.
“I was enchanted by the rolling hills covered with forests and vineyards, its rich fertile valleys, and its German food, drink, music and culture,” he said.
When he and his wife, Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson, visited Kutztown for the first time 35 years later, he found a similar ambiance, Hawkinson said.
The experience, along with the heritage center and many other positive attributes of the university and community, made the area ideal for them, said Hawkinson, whose area of research is folklore, storytelling and the study of culture.
“I’m delighted to be here today to celebrate this major accomplishment in preserving Pennsylvania German culture in this new building,” he said.
German Consul General David Gill also expressed his enthusiasm for the greater Kutztown area and the center’s new headquarters.
“You introduced me to a town with interesting, innovative businesses, and I met wonderful, rooted, committed people here,” said Gill, who previously visited the area to attend the Kutztown Folk Festival.
“And I’m happy to be back for such a meaningful occasion. This day puts the spotlight on a truly unique institution, which is devoted to preserving German legacy in this wonderful part of the United States and to making it accessible to the public.”
This ceremony also spotlighted all who made expansion of the center possible by their commitment, dedication, willingness and generosity, he said.
“Personally and on behalf of my country, I would like to say thank you to all the people who were visionaries to establish the new center here,” Gill said. “You enable this gem of unique GermanAmerican history to thrive and develop new possibilities to serve the community.”
Speakers also included Dr. Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of the state system of higher education; Alex Ogeka, executive director of the KU Foundation; state Sen. Judy Schwank and others. Attendees were invited to tour the facility following the dedication ceremony.