50th Anniversary Events
Saturday, February 12 at 10:30am to 11:30am
The Henrys of Boulton (and Elsewhere)
Dr. Scott Gordon, Guest Speaker at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
The Henrys at Boulton loved to research their family history. They relied on a vast trove of family papers and tended to fill in the blanks with interesting stories, which later historians have repeated as fact. Twenty-first century research has uncovered, however, lots of new material that just wasn’t available to these nineteenth-century historians. This new material reveals that the Henry family history is even more interesting than the Henrys themselves may have realized!
Saturday, March 26 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Boulton: An Early Pennsylvania Gun-making Center
Dave Ehrig, Guest Speaker at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
Join guest speaker Dave Ehrig as he traces the five generations of the historic Henry Gunsmithing family. From the banks of the Bushkill Creek to the Western Fur Trade, the Henrys were always at the forefront of supplying the muzzle loading longrifles to frontiersmen, farmers, fur trappers, and even the military. The program will feature the historic buildings and grounds, from the 18th Century Pennsylvania Long Rifle Museum; the 1832 John Joseph Henry House; the Nicholas Hawk Log Cabin Gunshop; black smith shop; carriage buildings; the 18th Century Crafts Workshop. Visitors to this seminar will explore the history of the Pennsylvania Longrifle and the families of craftsmen who created Northampton County history.
Dr. Scott Paul Gordon, Guest Speaker at JHS Craft Center
Few traces of the village of Jacobsburg survive. A decade of archeological work (1973-1983) recovered the footprint of the small community, but it has received little attention since. What do we know now about the people who lived in Jacobsburg and the activities they engaged in? How is Jacobsburg connected to the Henry family at Boulton and Nazareth? Join guest speaker Dr. Scott Paul Gordon to find out more. This program is being held in the classroom of the JHS Craft Center adjacent to the barn behind 402 Henry Rd. Nazareth, PA 18064. Parking is located by proceeding down Schoeneck Ave. to the rear of the property. Registration is required.
Guided Walking Tour of Jacobsburg Village
L. Paul Lopresti
The tour will begin at the Jacobsburg Village parking area off State Park Road. Dress for the weather and wear shoes appropriate for somewhat rough woods terrain. Free to the public, but reservations please to: digerlandoj@gmail.com
Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce: JHS 50th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting
Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum
Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum
George Dech’s grandson Michael and other family members in attendance will discuss George’s life and work. George was the first life member in the Society and helped to start the Gun-Maker Apprentice program as one of the first instructors. He crafted a number of Henry reproduction rifles, some for fundraising and some for display in our PA Longrifle Museum. George was also instrumental in starting our famous shooting matches and Rifle Frolic reenactment events. He hand-crafted over 450 guns as well as furniture and other décor. By invitation for JHS members and Special Guests. Please RSVP to digerlandoj@gmail.com
George Dech Exhibit: Grand Opening to the Public
Pennsylvania Longrifle Museum
George was the first life member in the Society and helped to start the Gun-Maker Apprentice program as one of the first instructors. He crafted a number of Henry reproduction rifles, some for fundraising and some for display in our PA Longrifle Museum. George was also instrumental in starting our famous shooting matches and Rifle Frolic reenactment events. All venues at Boulton will be open this day, our season opener, and the 44th Georgia Civil War Reenactor Group will present a Camp of Instruction; Marching, Drills, Musket Demonstrations, Camp Cobbler, Camp Cooking.
The Pennsylvania Longrifle … and You!
Dave Ehrig, Guest Speaker at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
In this seminar, we will explore the roots of our state’s iconic new symbol. From humble frontier roots, an evolution of gunmaking technology took place . . . the rifled barrel. While Henry of Lancaster, along with other Lancaster gunsmiths like Matthias Roesser, George Fainot, Jacob Dickert, and others were among the first to exploit the legendary accuracy of long rifled barrels, the Henry family’s fame would increase as the technology was brought to the Moravian Societies in Christian’s Spring, Nazareth, and Boulton. To hold an early Andreas Albrecht, Christian Oerter, or Wm. Henry Jr. longrifle in one’s hands is to create such an indelible memory of Pennsylvania history that it causes many skilled modern longrifle builders to attempt to recreate them. This program will raise your spirits and enlighten your pride in the Keystone State and its iconic gun.
Northampton County Youth Conservation Field Days
Stockertown Rod & Gun Club, Black Powder Shooting Venue
Outdoor Open Fire Cooking Demonstration
Boulton
Free admission to the public. JHS will provide portlets.
World War II Living History Weekend
Visitors can tour Allied & German camps staffed by reenactors, see period military and non-military vehicles and displays. Honor all veterans. WWII Vendors – Music – Food Fun for the whole family!
All venues open to the public