Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

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Folklore Term Paper: Folk Cures for the Common Cold

Robert E. Ackerman

A handwritten term paper completed at Franklin and Marshall College by Robert Ackerman, dating from circa 1950. Within, Ackerman describes several interviews conducted across Berks, Lancaster, and Somerset counties relating to folk cures for the common cold.
Pennsylvania German Rhymes, Chants, and Lullabies

Unknown Author

A handwritten document by an unknown author, dating from circa 1950. Within, the author details various Pennsylvania German sayings, chants, and rhymes.
Reading Boat Trip to Philadelphia, May 14, 1788

Unknown Author

A typed copy of a May 14, 1788 article from the Pennsylvania Gazette, entitled, "1788 Reading Boat Trip to Philadelphia". The article details the costs and dangers associated with moving freight along the Schuylkill River by boat between Reading and Philadelphia.
The Masterpiece

Unknown Author

A handwritten document entitled, "The Masterpiece", by an unknown author, dating from circa 1950. Within, a tale of a man who rode around with a buggy blanket made from the stolen skinned fur of local cats is detailed.
Term Paper: Customs of the Year

John U. Baker Jr.

A typed folklore term paper completed at Franklin and Marshall College and entitled, "Customs of the Year", by John U. Baker Jr., dating from circa 1950. Within, Baker details the various customs and practices of the Pennsylvania Dutch, including Easter egg hunts and the refusal to work on Ascension Day.
Undated Note From Florence Baver to Alfred L. Shoemaker

Florence Baver

A typed and handwritten note from Florence Baver to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. Within, a recipe is provided, along with information about names in a guest book.
Letter From Mrs. Charles Binkley to Alfred L. Shoemaker

Mrs. Charles Binkley

A typed and handwritten letter from Mrs. Charles Binkley addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. Within, Binkley provides a superstition about eggs, a Pennsylvania Dutch poem, and an alphabet rhyme. She also asks Shoemaker to consider writing a column on butchering and soap-making practices.
Mother's Dutch Bean Soup Recipe

Mrs. Clyde Borneman

A handwritten recipe entitled, "Mother's Dutch Bean Soup", written by Mrs. Clyde Borneman, dating from circa 1950. Within, Borneman provides Alfred L. Shoemaker with an outline for preparing the Pennsylvania Dutch dish.
Account of Ephrata and History of the Dunkers

Redmond Conyngham and Christian Endress

A typed copy of a history of the Dunkers of Ephrata Township originally found within the Pennsylvania Gazette. Within, the copy documents information provided by Redmond Conyngham and Christian Endress on the community, ranging from doctrines to manner of dress, and days and holidays of observation.
Folklore Report: The Amish

Jim Eisenbud

A typed term paper completed at Franklin and Marshall College by Jim Eisenbud, dating from circa 1950. Within, Eisenbud writes his report on the folklore and practices of the Amish within and around Lancaster County. Topics include differences between Amish and Mennonites, farming practices and traditional songs.
Letter From Ben Fisher to Alfred L. Shoemaker

Ben Fisher

A handwritten letter from Ben Fisher addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. Within, Fisher writes to describe a peculiar birthmark his daughter possesses that he believes is correlated to bruise salve her mother used on her throat.
Note on Ash Wednesday Traditions

Samuel J. Fritch

A typed document noting the customs and traditions observed by the Pennsylvania Dutch community on Ash Wednesday, composed by Samuel Fritch and dating from circa 1950. Within, Fritch details how those who rise last in the morning are dubbed "Esha Puddle".
Letter From James H. Groff to Alfred L. Shoemaker

James H. Groff

A handwritten letter from James H. Groff addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, dating from circa 1950. Within, Groff writes to detail some of his childhood memories involving Pennsylvania Dutch customs and superstitions.
A Tall Fish Story

H. Wayne Gruber

In this typed document, H. Wayne Gruber relates a "fish story" of a man sleeping by the banks of the Tulpehocken Creek in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The man is awakened by nuts falling on his head due to a large carp scratching its back on the exposed roots of a hickory tree. Gruber provides the tale in the form of a Pennsylvania Dutch rhyme.
Childhood Recreations of H. Wayne Gruber in His Boyhood Days, 1875-1885

H. Wayne Gruber

A typed document entitled, "Recreations of H. Wayne Gruber in His Boyhood Days", by H. Wayne Gruber, dating from circa 1950. Within, Gruber details various activities he engaged in growing up, including farm chores and hoop rolling.
Dialect Stories of William Bickel, 1877-1879

H. Wayne Gruber

Typed stories by H. Wayne Gruber, mainly in Pennsylvania German dialect, dating from circa 1950. Gruber describes stories he heard as a young boy as related by a neighbor named William Bickel.
Games Played by H. Wayne Gruber, 1876 to 1892

H. Wayne Gruber

In this typed essay dating from circa 1950, H. Wayne Gruber lists and describes games he played as a child: Creitz Mill, Bally Over, Town Ball, Rabbit Ball, Room Ball, horseshoes, Peg, Fox and Goose and Drop the Handkerchief.
Letter From H. Wayne Gruber to Alfred L. Shoemaker, Undated

H. Wayne Gruber

A typed letter from H. Wayne Gruber addressed to Alfred L. Shoemaker, circa 1950. Within, Gruber provides some Pennsylvania Dutch beliefs from Berks County, Pennsylvania and stories of farmer Christian Gruber's ability to remove hexes from people.
Pennsylvania Dutch Rhyme on the Twelve Constellations

H. Wayne Gruber

A clipping from John Gruber's Hagerstown almanac showing how the constellations correspond to parts of the human body and a childhood rhyme about the signs of the Zodiac recounted by H. Wayne Gruber. Gruber provides Pennsylvania Dutch translations for the star signs along with the rhyme his mother, Mary Ann Schaeffer, repeated to him as a child.
Sounds of Letters in Pennsylvania Dutch Spelling

H. Wayne Gruber

In this typed document, H. Wayne Gruber of Reading, Pennsylvania outlines his simplified method for the pronunciation of vowel sounds in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. He provides examples to illustrate each combination of vowels.
Stories and Incidents, 1880

H. Wayne Gruber

A set of typed stories, compiled by H. Wayne Gruber, circa 1950. The humorous anecdotes, featuring Pennsylvania German dialect, were related to Gruber in the year 1880. Subjects include a haunted farmhouse, butchering, fence posts and a city girl's first visit to a farm.
Translated Verse About the Pee-wee Bird (da Bivvi)

H. Wayne Gruber

In this typed document, H. Wayne Gruber provides an English translation of a verse about the pee-wee, or phoebe, songbird. He notes that the Pennsylvania Dutch term for the bird is "Da Bivvi."
Verse Poem (I Wish I Was a Farmer)

H. Wayne Gruber

In this typed document, H. Wayne Gruber provides Alfred Shoemaker with a copy of a Pennsylvania German poem, "I Wish I Was a Farmer." Gruber gives an English translation of the verses.
Mei Mutter ihra Garta (My Mother's Garden) with Notes

H. Wayne Gruber and Michael Alvin Gruber

In this typed document, H. Wayne Gruber provides a copy of a Pennsylvania German poem originally written by Michael Gruber about his mother's garden in Heidelberg Township. Gruber notes that the spelling has been copied exactly and gives translations for various herbs such as saffron, rosemary, sage and thyme.
Babies and Superstitions

Ida Hollenbach

A handwritten set of notes entitled, "Babies and Superstitions", compiled by Ida Hollenbach, dating from circa 1950. Within, various beliefs surrounding newborn babies are documented including hair cutting, baptism and a birthday ritual to determine the life path a baby will follow.