Johannes
Schwalm Historical Association, Inc
PO Box 127
Scotland PA 17254-0127
May
2017
Dear Members and Friends,
The Johannes Schwalm Historical Association (JSHA) invites
you to join us in celebrating our history during this year’s Annual Meeting
Weekend. We welcome you to see static
displays of history items, hands on activities for children to learn about
history and living history interpretations related to American History since
1776. You are highly encouraged to bring
friends and relatives who have not attended in the past.
This
year JSHA is conducting a two day history event on July 8 and 9, 2017 at Valley
View Park in Valley View, PA. This event
is free to the public and will start
at noon on July 8 and start at 10 AM on July 9.
We will have activities to honor our Hessian ancestors from all families
with a focus on “Hessians Victorious”
in 1776 during the afternoon of Saturday, July 8. Dr. Daniel Krebs - Hessian Descendant, Bundeswehr
Officer, published author and American History Professor at the University of
Louisville - will be our guest historian for the weekend. He will lead a round table discussion group
with the JSHA Military History Committee concerning the military success of the
Hessians in New York and New Jersey in the summer and fall of 1776. Descendents of Peter Schwalm will sponsor a
Hessian Happy Hour at Benigna’s Creek Winery and all are welcome to attend this
no host social event between 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
We
will have a series of speakers on Sunday July 9 to cover a “Historiography of Prisoners of War.” Dr. Krebs will lead off the
day with information from his book A Generous and Merciful Enemy
about the Hessian Imprisonment in Lancaster in 1777. Dr. Krebs will have his book for sale and sign
these per your request. A second talk
will cover the experiences of Schuylkill County prisoners during the Civil War. A slide program will highlight our ancestor
US Army Major John Mark Schwalm’s 6th Armored Division liberation of
Buchenwald Labor Camp in April 1945 during World War II. The final presentation will be given by JSHA
President and US Marine Corps Major (Retired) Ross H. Schwalm’s Desert Storm
experience with Iraqi Prisoners.
Throughout
each of the days, Saturday noon to 4 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 3 PM, we will have
our traditional Share Fair with individuals and organizations offering history
displays and presentations on subjects related to American and German history
and culture. Mr. and Mrs. Barry Stocker,
Civil War Interpretive Historians, will join us this year with a variety of
offerings to include children’s education opportunities. JSHA President Ross Schwalm will be
displaying information about his Civil War ancestors and his research of the
Second Battle of Manassas in 1862 which is also the subject of an article in
this year’s JSHA annual publication The
Hessians.
There
are modern restroom facilities and picnic pavilions as well as parking areas
close to all events we have planned. The
park is located near the intersection of Gap Street and Gun Club Road just
south of Valley View, PA. Google Coordinates 40°38'13.3"N
76°32'50.9"W. Valley View is a
short drive from Harrisburg, PA.
On
Sunday, we will be offering traditional bean soup, hot dogs, birch beer and
games for children and adults. Families
are welcome to have mini-reunions and picnic lunches throughout the day. The JSHA Board will report on the status of
the organization and our plans for the future starting at 2:00 PM. We will conclude our event at approximately
4:00 PM Sunday with a traditional German Kaffeeklatsch.
The
JSHA Lead Coordinator for the 2017 weekend is Mr. Ross H. Schwalm at (C) 571-330-2745
or by email at pahessian@gmail.com
if you have any questions about this year’s events.
Sincerely,
Ross H. Schwalm, President, JSHA http://www.jsha.org/