Early American Life magazine showcases Montgomery County’s 1736 Henry Antes House.

by Jane Stahl

Anne Grasberger and Bob Wood with photographs by Michael E. Myers of Steadfast Imaging authored “A Gem of German Architecture," a feature article that appeared in the August 2023, Early American Life magazine showcasing Montgomery County’s 1736 Henry Antes House.

Each August, the Early American Life magazine features contemporary artisans who study the craftsmanship, skills, and artistic sensibilities of the forebears. In the August 2023 edition, the magazine showcases work chosen for the Directory of Traditional American Crafts at Montgomery County’s 1736 Henry Antes House—a National Historic Landmark.

The article offers eight pages replete with photographs and annotations concerning the artisans and their newly-made objects reflecting the traditions and styles owned by the early settlers.

Since its first edition in January/February 1970, the Early American Life magazine, edited by Jim Betts and published by the Early American Society, Inc., has been a great source of information for over 6,000 subscribers interested in the early American style of homes and living.

The article begins, “After settling in southeastern Pennsylvania in the early 1700’s, Henry Antes built a substantial two-story German stone house, established himself as a respected businessman, and devoted much of his life to spread the Moravian faith."

1736 Henry Antes House—a National Historic Landmark
The restored house is a perfect example of early Germanic architecture that has been unaltered over 200 years. The Goschenhoppen Historians, a group of preservationists and folk life researchers, have dedicated their efforts to showcasing the home and its designer Henry Antes—who worked to spread the principles of the Moravian faith.

Goschenhoppen Folk Festival
The site of the sparsely furnished home holds the Goschenhoppen Folk Festival each August to provide demonstrations of the folk ways and life skills of the German settlers.

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