The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is an open-air folklife museum and research center dedicated to preserving and celebrating Pennsylvania German folk culture, history, and language in a unique educational setting at Kutztown University.

Folk Art Paintings of Gladys M. Lutz: Old Time Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking

Folk Art Paintings of Gladys M. Lutz:

Old Time Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking

Gladys Lutz - Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Gladys M. Lutz (1909- 2007), often called “the Grandma Moses of the Lehigh Valley” was a celebrated folk artist who dedicated her life to being an educator. She was born in Lynnport, Lehigh County, PA and spent the majority of her life living and teaching throughout Lehigh County. After completing primary school, which she attended in a local two-room schoolhouse, Gladys graduated from Slatington High School in 1926. Gladys Lutz also attended the Keystone State Normal School, now Kutztown University, and graduated in 1928 with her teaching for rural schools certificate. Gladys also went on to earn her bachelors in Elementary Education from Kutztown State College in 1953 followed by a masters from Lehigh University in 1956 while continuing to teach in several Lehigh County schools. She retired in 1964 from Parkland High School, and began painting, ultimately creating hundreds of folk art pieces. 
Her paintings focused on the every-day life of people on the Pennsylvanian German or Dutch farms she grew up living on and around, and proved to be significant tools in understanding the daily lives of people in Pennsylvania Dutch country. Gladys’ story represents the growth and expression of a passion for culture and education.

In addition to 36 years as a teacher, Gladys created these detailed representations of the past and then shared them at every opportunity. She would table at libraries, museums, art exhibitions, and craft shows where she would display her art in tandem with presentations intended to share the significance of the scenes and practices featured in her art. This collection of paintings was commissioned by redware potter, Jeff Dietrich and included in a collaborative cookbook, Folk Art and Foodways of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Produced by the Albany Township Historical Society, the cookbook featured this collection of paintings, illustrating the culinary traditions of the Pennsylvanian Dutch.

This online exhibition was developed by Stephanie Crogan (’25).