Supernatural Beliefs of the Pennsylvania Germans

Rooster Bones - Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University

Supernatural beliefs played a central role in the traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch, supporting a wide range of expressions in material culture, literature, customs, and ritual applications. This gallery showcases examples of archival materials and artifacts reflecting local interest in legends, protective traditions, and ritual blessings from the Pennsylvania Dutch culture in and around the Berks County area from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. While some of these artifacts may appear ordinary at first glance, their contexts within a ritual framework provide additional significance beyond the mundane. These objects, when combined with the records of legends and ritual blessings, reflect the beliefs of many generations of the Pennsylvania Dutch, and reinforce their cultural values in everyday applications.

Image of illustrated German almanac Americanischer Stadt und Land Calender (American Town and Country Calendar), 1834, printed by Conrad Zentler, Philadelphia, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Image of a book and two details with prints of a woman in white Popular depictions of Agnes Gräfin von Orlamunde in Johann Heinrich Jung (Johann Stilling), Theorie der Geister Kunde (Theory of Spirit Knowledge), 1816, Reading, PA. and Der Hoch Deutsche Americanische Calender (The High German American Calendar), printed by G. & D. Billmeyer, 1817, Philadelphia, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Images of a book containing spells, Johann Georg Hohman, Der lange Verborgene Freund (The Long-Hidden Friend), 1820, Reading, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Blessing drawn and written with pencil on paper, Astrological blessing with instructions on the back, c. 1916, Hamburg, Berks County, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Images of the devil and seven animals in the heart of a man, Das Herz des Menschen, ein Tempel Gottes oder eine Werkstätte des Satans (The Heart of Man, a Temple of God or a Workshop of Satan), printed by Gustav S. Peters, 1832, Harrisburg, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

An image of a man being scared by the devil sitting in a chair, Americanischer Stadt und Land Calender (American Town and Land Calendar), 1821, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, printed by Conrad Zentler

Images of a white dish with purple decoration, Dish contained in the wall of an 18th century house, Parkesburg, Lancaster, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Image of both sides of a black leather boot, Right boot, possibly an 18th century riding boot, found in the region of northern Berks County. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Henry Draper, Delusions of Medicine, 1873, Harper’s Magazine, Volume 46, pages 386-387. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Engraving of a dog in a doorway with a horseshoe above it, as well as an actual horseshoe found, Henry Draper, Delusions of Medicine, 1873, Harper’s Magazine, Volume 46, pages 388-389. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

A page with lyrics to the ballad of Susanna Cox, A New Mournful Song Containing the History of Susanna Cox, 1809. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

A photo of a spread including a faded image of a man at a table with a lit candle, Spread from Verbesserter Calender, auf das Jahr Christi, 1847 (Improved Calendar, for the Year of Christ, 1847), 1847, Reading, Pennsylvania, printed by J. C. F. Egelman

Illustration of a woman next to a skeleton at a wedding, Spread from Americanischer Stadt und Land Calender (American Town and Land Calendar), 1835, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, printed by Conrad Zentler

A bowl with the skull and tied legs of a rooster, Rooster bones from the wall of a 20th century house, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Thread wound around a piece of fabric, Sewing scraps from the wall of a 20th century house, Auburn, Schuylkill County, PA. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University.

Photo of an old broom nailed to a piece of wood, Photograph of a concealed broom in a Berks County farmhouse, nailed to a floor joist visible from the basement stairs, Private Collection.

A spread of text and an image depicting a man dressed as a sorcerer performing a ritual, scaring three young men, Spread from Americanischer Stadt und Land Calender (American Town and Land Calendar), 1843, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, printed by Conrad Zentler

Engraving of a celebration around a fire from Americanicsher Stadt und Land Calender (American Town and Land Calendar), 1824, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, printed by Conrad Zentler

This online cultural exhibition was created by Amalia Taylor (’26).