Once again we are heading to Buffalo, first with a stop at the Historic Ephrata Cloister in Ephrata, PA. This was a communal society established in 1732 by Conrad Beissel, German immigrant who sought to worship freely under Penn's policy of religious tolerance. He originally wanted to become a hermit to prepare himself for the second coming of Jesus Christ, but was joined by many who were impressed by his speaking. At its height, the community housed 80 celibate Brothers and Sisters, and 200 Householders (family groups who supported the followers of Beissel).
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| A surviving copy of Weiber Büchlein/ [Mid]wives' Booklet |
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| The Sisters made their own clothing and shoes, based on the robes of Catholic monastic orders |
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| An original shoe made of linen and leather |
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| Because the Brothers did not associate at all with the opposite sex, they made their own clothing as well |
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| The Brothers and Sisters followed a schedule with tasks done for at least an hour, thus no minute-hand was required on this clock (1735) that once was hung in a tower |
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| When funded, archaeological excavations are done; a mystery object is this glass "trumpet" |
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| A guided tour is the only way to enter the Sisters' House (1743) and the adjoining Meetinghouse (1741) |
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| One room in the Sisters' House was set up as the office of the Prioress, who created the daily schedule for the Sisters |
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| One of two workrooms in the Sisters' House for spinning flax and making baskets; through the doorway on the left is a 'comfortable' bed for guests |
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| The central room for cooking and eating features a table with a built-in shelf to make it more functional; to prepare for meeting Christ, the Brothers and Sister ate one meal per day, and no meat except on one feast day |
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| The second workroom is where the Sisters practiced the art of Frakturschrifte, a German calligraphy style, and also composed simple hymns |
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| The sleeping cells of the Sisters were narrow benches with a block of wood as a pillow; they slept fully clothed in case Jesus Christ arrived in the middle of the night |
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| In fact, Conrad Beissel predicted that the Second Coming was going to be between midnight and 2:00 am, and it was during these hours that they had the Night Watch Service in the Meetinghouse - the Sisters only in this location |
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| The Printing House in Ephrata published volumes of the Martyrs' Mirror that contained stories of especially Anabaptist Christian martyrs, an important text for the Amish and Mennonites; it is often a wedding gift |
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| Behind the Meetinghouse is a room for the so-called Love Feast, when they ate lamb stew (Christ is the Lamb of God) and washed each other's feet; note the coiled rye straw basket in the back L corner: rye straw naturally deters rodents and pests |
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| The stone kitchen was added later, perhaps after the death of Conrad Beissel when rules were relaxed and the followers ate more meals |
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| Bridge over a millrace and the Weaver's House |
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| A loom in the Weaver's House |
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| A sink for used water had an outlet to the outside |
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| God's Acre is the cemetery of the community |
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| Grave marker for Georg Conrad Beissel |
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| Nora Connell was the last person buried in God's Acre, in 1961 |
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| Rear of the Bake House |
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| In the 'middle' of the Bake House is a large barrel and above is a 'spout' that may have delivered water from a pump up above |
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| Water pump with the 'spout' back on the wall (KSS) |
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| The upper part of the Bake House |
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| This part of the Bake House may have been used to house widows or indigent women |
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| Inside the Physician's House |
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| Inside the Small Bake House that was used for seasonal activities such as candle making |
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| The Small Bake House has a rain barrel! |
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| This area is believed to be the site of the Brothers' House and Meetinghouse (1746-1908) |
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| Printing Office Exhibit (L side 1735, R addition 1810) |
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| Printing press |
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| Carpenter's House; the Brothers built German-style buildings of up to 5 and a half stories which were much taller than what was typical of the time |
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| Inside the Carpenter's House |
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| Amphitheater (1970s) with a back wall to the stage inspired by the historic buildings on site |
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| Householder Exhibit in a building similar to those of the local Pennsylvania Germans, which was moved here in the 1940s |
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| Married couples with families joined the community as Householders, who provided economic support and received assistance from the celibate members; when the last celibate member died, they established the German Seventh Day Baptist Church that lasted until 1934 |
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| Reconstruction of an original building used to show a stable |
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| Inside the stable |
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| Conrad Beissel House (1740s) that he used until his death in 1768; he had hoped he would be alive for the Second Coming |
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| Inside the Conrad Beissel House with a typical Fraktur wall decoration |
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| The Academy (1837) was a private school for the children of the Householders; in the mid-1800s it became a public school until 1926 |
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| In nearby Mount Zion cemetery, the obelisk monument marks the traditional location of the mass grave of Revolutionary War soldiers who died in the temporary hospital established in Ephrata during the winter of 1777-1778 |
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