A rare collection of early Southeastern Pennsylvania longrifles — including several that have never before been publicly displayed — is now on view in Montgomery County.
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center in Pennsburg has partnered with the Kentucky Rifle Foundation to present “Southeastern Pennsylvania Longrifles — The Early Years,” an exhibition exploring the craftsmanship, cultures and regional influences behind the historic firearms.
The exhibition will remain on display through Oct. 18.
Guest Curator Harry Nowak assembled the collection to highlight how German and other immigrant cultures in Bethlehem, Reading, and Lancaster shaped the development of the Pennsylvania longrifle.
The pieces reveal distinct regional approaches to construction, ornamentation, and design.
Many of the longrifles come from private collections and have never previously been displayed.
The exhibition also includes three recently discovered and previously undocumented early rifles.
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center has planned several educational programs to complement the exhibition.
A free, full-day symposium on Aug. 22 will bring together four speakers to explore the history and artistry of the longrifle.
Nowak will discuss the Caspar Wistar papers, while Historian Scott Paul Gordon will examine German immigrant culture in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Tim Hodges, Director of the Kentucky Rifle Foundation, will discuss the influence of Baroque and Rococo art on early rifles. Collector Art DeCamp will explore regional techniques and design traditions.
Although in-person registration for the symposium is currently full, interested participants may join the waiting list or register to receive a Zoom link.
The program is free through support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
A technical workshop, “Measuring and Recreating the Wm. Antes Swivel Rifle,” will be held Aug. 23 from 1:30-3:30 PM. The workshop costs $10, and advance registration is required.
Families can also attend an Oct. 3 workshop examining the role of the Pennsylvania longrifle in daily life on the frontier.
The exhibition was made possible in part through support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Kentucky Rifle Foundation, and individual donors.
The Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center is located at 105 Seminary Street in Pennsburg.
The museum preserves and shares the history of the Pennsylvania German experience through its exhibitions, collections, and public programs.
For exhibition details, program registration, and museum information, visit Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center.
From historic sites and museums to arts, dining, and family-friendly attractions, Montgomery County offers plenty of ways to turn a visit to Pennsburg into a memorable getaway.
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