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Welcome to The 1803 House in Emmaus, Pennsylvania

Mailing address: Post Office Box 7, Emmaus, PA 18049;  Email: friends@1803house.org; 
Location: 55 South Keystone Avenue, Emmaus, PA 18049;

The mission of "The Friends of the 1803 House" is to help preserve and maintain the 1803 House, as a museum for the community of Emmaus.
We protect the past while ensuring the next generation of Americans will learn from the lessons of our history.

2023 Lehigh Valley Passport to History at the.1803 House

Lehigh Valley Passport to History at the 1803 House...July 22nd from 1-am to 4pm and 23rd from noon to 4pm: The Lehigh Valley Passport to History is a celebration of local history, stories, and the community that brings Lehigh Valley history to life. The event gives an opportunity for visitors, to explore local history through a variety of museum tours, interactive exhibits, children’s activities, and more. Go to Summer Events. 

The 1803 House:

In 1803, Jacob Ehrenhardt, Jr. built this stone, Federal-style home for his wife Susanna and their four daughters, Barbara, Anna Marie, Anna Eleonora and Suzanna.  It was located near the Moravian Church, surrounded by crop fields, the South Mountain and a stream nearby. The house preserves the architecture of the Moravian culture of Colonial Pennsylvania and is located at 55 South Keystone Avenue, Emmaus, PA and is managed by The Friends of the 1803 House. More history;



 

1803 House Archeological Dig:

Since 2015, Lehigh University Archaeology Professor David Small, has been working with teams of students and Emmaus volunteers on excavations at the 1803 House. Lehigh's enterprise was not the first however, as Ryan Loughren, a teacher at  Seven Generations Charter School, in 2012, took several students to dig south of the kitchen. In 2017, the project took on an exciting new focus. Lehigh University will be constructing an integrated, interactive website which will contain not only the information from the excavation, but the information from the 1803 House itself. This new focus is only possible through the "Mellon Digital Initiative Grant", which Lehigh University helped the 1803 House procure. That same year the excavating crew uncovered a "privy". In 2019, the team completed their excavation of the site. They preserved the site walls and then placed clean fill over the area. Now, the 1803 House, anxiously awaits the release of the new website being created by Lehigh University students. More on Dig;
 

Flood Damage Appeal

    
  
We, the Friends of the 1803 House, have been digging deep into the history of the 1803 House since 1975.  We are thankful the flood on August 4, 2020 did not damage our recently completed archaeological dig. The 1803 House was surrounded by water, which filled the basement and one inch into the above 1st floor. We now have to "Dig Deep" into the resources of the community asking for funding and "in-kind" efforts to help with the mounting flood bills that are $12,000.  Please consider supporting the 1803 House with a tax-deductible contribution to help with our flood damage costs.  Below are two ways to  contribute; by credit card with "GoFundMe Charity" or by check.  Thank you in advance for your continued support to the 1803 House!   Presidents Appeal Letter;  Flood Pictures   
To donate click on the "Contribute to Appeal" button below and mail it with your tax-deductible donation.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Come one, come all:

  To Jacob's Tavern   
When: February 25, 2023
Time: 2pm to 6pm
Where: YERGEY BREWING, 235 Main Street, Emmaus, PA
The 1803 House celebrated 22 decades, that's 220 years of history.  
Everyone enjoyed special ale "Grey Beard" brewed by Jim Yergey, in commemorative 1803 House glass, along with the tasty local cider, cocktails and wine offerings. The homemade food from Red Ticket Cafe and old-time folk music of Kelly Planer and the Perks made the afternoon even more enjoyable.  And the themed raffle was a great success!
[flier] 
     

For more Events at the 1803 House and in Emmaus go to "All Events" 

1803 House Crock Fund Raiser:


The Friends are selling 1803 House Bujino pottery crocks.  Great addition to any kitchen! We are selling 1803 House crocks! All monies go to the repairs and upkeep of this amazing piece of history right here in our town. Stop by South Mountain Cycle at 318 Main Street in Emmaus to pick one up today! The cost is $40 by check or cash and $45 by credit card. Thank you for supporting the 1803 House!!!

Become a Friend of the 1803 House...

To become a "Friend" click on the "Become a Member" button below mail it with your tax-deductible contribution.

Attend an 1803 House or Emmaus Event:

For more information Go to Events;

Need a Speaker?

 
Planned Programs...The 1803 House also gives slide show presentations to a group or organization at another location. Since we totally rely on donations to achieve our mission, we would greatly appreciate a donation.
To schedule a planned program, contact us.

1803 House Education Programs:

 
The 1803 House offers Educational Programs. We currently have an educational partnership with nearby Seven Generations Charter School and East Penn School District.
For more information Go To Education or contact us

1803 House & Dale Earnhardt Jr.:

     
Why was NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. in Emmaus?  His Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather was Johannes Ehrenhardt who was the father
of Jacob Ehrenhardt Sr. who was the father of Jacob Ehrenhardt Jr., who built the 1803 House.   Morning Call article; or "Ramblings from the Bench"; Paul Reinhard-Morning Call