preserve
/prəˈzərv/ (verb)
to maintain (something) in its original or existing state
At the Emmaus Historical Society and Museum, we know that our quaint Borough has physically changed since its founding in 1759. However, we believe that the spirit and fortitude of the original Moravian village is maintained through our Mission of keeping our history alive for current and future generations.
The mission of the Emmaus Historical Society is to collect, preserve and exhibit Emmaus artifacts, documents, histories, photographs and genealogy for displays and research and to offer educational programs and events throughout the year.
Emmaus’ rich history is captured in the photographs and artifacts we’ve collected over the years. We make vibrant history of Emmaus tangible, meaningful and relevant today. Read on to learn more about what we’ve uncovered.
Our programs immerse attendees in Emmaus’ past, present and future. We invite you to join in the fun! We offer a wide array of programs and events for everybody in the community to enjoy. At the Emmaus Historical Society, we tell stories to strengthen community connections, preserve narratives and celebrate the Borough of Emmaus.
Take an adventure through the past by exploring the history, culture, and events of Emmaus. Visit the Emmaus Historical Society, enjoy our collection of artifacts and gain knowledge and understanding of the history of our town.
President - Jeanne Harakal
Jeanne grew up in Emmaus and her family’s roots have been traced back to the original Moravian village. She represents the Emmaus Historical Society at the Heritage Alliance, Heritage Keepers of the Greater Lehigh Valley and the Lehigh Valley Passport to History meetings. Jeanne is the grant writer for the Emmaus Historical Society, actively serves on the Finance, Newsletter, Programs, Publicity, and Website committees as well as Ex-Officio on all other committees.
The Emmaus Historical Society was founded in 1992 and continues to grow and thrive through the generosity of our members, volunteers and supporters from the community and beyond. The Emmaus Historical Society collects objects, photographs, documents of all kinds, books and genealogical materials – anything that tells the story of Emmaus and its people. Please join us in attending one of our events or supporting us via a donation of time or money. We are extremely grateful for all who work to keep the history of Emmaus alive.
Visit Us
We’d love for you to visit us!
218 Main Street Emmaus, PA 18049
Our Museum is open every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm as well as extended hours and days during Special Events. There is never any charge for admission.
We are also happy to give tours during off hours – whether a solo visit or a group. Scouts, class reunions, elementary classes and families – all are welcome.
Please call the office at 610.966.6591 to schedule a visit.
Our knowledgeable staff of volunteers is always happy to share our Borough’s history through our dynamic exhibits and displays, which change seasonally and historically. Come often and bring visiting family and friends.
in collecting historical artifacts from Emmaus to educate and inspire the people of today and tomorrow.
We want the citizens of Emmaus to feel inspired and empowered by the rich history that we’ve collected and exhibited in our museum.
- Jeanne Harakal, President
German Settlers began coming to the area known as “Maguntsche” (derived from the Lenni Lenape phrase “feeding place of the bears”) around 1730. They were fleeing war and seeking religious freedom.
The oldest building within Emmaus is the “Zuflucht Haus” or Shelter House. It was built around 1734 near an Indian trail along the slopes of South Mountain and was probably a safe haven and shelter for early travelers. During the next few years, log cabins were built in the area. In 1736, George Shoemaker took a warrant for two hundred acres of land near the present site of Emmaus High School. In 1738, John Henry Knauss settled near Furnace Dam. Sebastian Knauss built his home near the present day railroad underpass. Jacob Ehrenhardt erected his cabin on South Keystone Ave, near where his son, Jacob Jr., later Jacob Ehrenhardt, Sr.’s house where the missionary and patron, Count Zinzendorf, came to preach in late 1741.
In 1742, the first community structure was a small log church built on land donated by Jacob Ehrenhardt for this purpose at the site of what is now God’s Acre. Estimated at having been no larger than 20 by 40 feet, its location on the northeast corner of the old Moravian Cemetery is marked with a marble obelisk. In this simple log church, Lutherans, Reformed and members of other denominations worshipped. The remote church was served by visiting preachers from as far away as Philadelphia. Construction of the church and the beginnings of the cemetery predate by several years the formation of the Emmaus Moravian Church in 1747. In 1749, the log church was dismantled and reconstructed closer to the boarding school, built in 1746, a little to the rear and southeast of the Moravian Parsonage on Keystone Avenue.
In 1758-59, the community became a “Gemein Ort” translated as “common place” where those who lived in the community would live according to the customs and practices of the Moravians.
The first house officially built in the new village was at the now 160 Main Street. It was built by Andreas Giering and occupied in 1759. The village was first called Salzburg (Salisbury). On April 3, 1761, Bishop Augustus Spangenberg renamed the village Emmaus, a biblical name, during a Moravian Love Feast.
The Revolutionary War brought new tribulations to the Emmaus community. Moravians were pacifists and such were harassed, fined and even imprisoned for refusal to fight. However, twelve members did enlist in the Continental Army. All returned home to continue to serve in their community and are all buried in God’s Acre at the foot of Third Street.
The spelling of the village name changed to Emaus in 1830 and was incorporated under that name in 1859. The Railroad came through Emmaus in 1859, that same year. The Borough population was 277 and was comprised of about two hundred acres. The boundaries remained unchanged until 1903 with a population of 1,468.
Industry began to grow in the area as iron ore was mined and processed at the Donaldson Iron Company in 1850. By 1882, silk mills came into the area. Other products from Emmaus, past & present were/are cigars, shoes, pajamas, roofing paper, boilers, electrical products, industrial gases, books, grinding bails, handbags, and magazines.
The annexation of surrounding land began the growth toward a modern Emmaus. In 1938, petitions were circulated under the leadership of the Emaus Rotary Club to change the name again, and Emaus once again became Emmaus.
Today, Emmaus is more than thirty times the size of the original Moravian village with a population of over 11,000 people of many faiths.
