It might be impossible to travel through time, but the large groups of people who walked along a narrow, rough gravel path to enter the Dreibelbis Historic Farm in Richmond Township on Saturday would disagree.
On a sunny late-summer day, the caretakers of the farmstead, which dates back to the American Revolution, opened their doors to guests excited to experience a journey through history.
The Pennsylvania German Farm Festival attracted a large number of visitors to the 180-acre site located south of Virginville, offering a living depiction of Berks County’s rural history.
Presented by the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society, the event honored the common abilities, customs, and narratives of Pennsylvania Dutch farming households. It also highlighted the Native American heritage near Maiden Creek, where the farm is located on the site of the biggest Lenape settlement in Berks.
The gathering included open-fire cooking, quilt making, blacksmithing, kids’ activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, and traditional music. Guests had the chance to see how farmers used to till the land before machines were available. Although plowing wasn’t shown, an ox (a male cow that has been neutered) was tied near a display featuring a wooden yoke and plow.
Within the brick farmhouse constructed in the 1860s, dressed guides escorted guests through the kitchen, parlor, and cold cellar, while outside, reenactors recounted the tales of Civil War soldiers, Revolutionary War fighters, and early pioneers.
David Ray from Tilden Township takes on the role of Mouns Jones, one of the earliest settlers in Berks County, at the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival held at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, located at 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Preserving a family legacy
For Mark Dreibelbis, the head of the historical society, the festival holds both personal and historical significance. His family has possessed the land for almost 250 years, making it the second-oldest family-run farm in the county.
In the 1990s, previous owners of the farm reached out to the family in an effort to secure funds for its maintenance, according to Dreibelbis. They had relocated to a nursing home and were aware of how significant the farm was to the family, which is why they did not wish to sell it to a developer who would likely convert it into a residential area.
Mark and his wife, along with the Berks County Conservancy, now known as Berks Nature, established the nonprofit organization to purchase and protect the land.
The special aspect,” Dreibelbis explained, “is that there has never been a sale (a previous sale), so all the antiques, artifacts, pots, pans, quilts, ice harvesting tools — everything was present.
It’s similar to putting up a sign and opening the door, which was part of it. It’s like once you descend that rough path, you’re transported back in time.
This year, the festival introduced a tour of the farmhouse’s cold cellar. Volunteer interpreter Ealine Stone, wearing clothing from 1810, demonstrated how farming families preserved vegetables without refrigeration.
They would place potatoes and carrots in dirt on shelves, maintaining the cellar at around 50 degrees,” she explained. “This was their method of preserving food throughout the winter.
Jakob Wiswesser performs country and bluegrass banjo at the Music Eck during the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, located at 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
A crossroads of cultures
The farm’s position has historical and archaeological importance.
David Ray, the founder of the Hawk Mountain Chapter of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, took on the role of settler Mouns Jones, who engaged in peaceful trade with the Lenape in the early 1700s.
This was the biggest Indian settlement in Berks County, right next to the stream,” Ray said, pointing towards the tree line. “It served as a major route for the indigenous people.
Ray and his team, which included a Native American woman, showcased their assortment of furs, arrowheads, and various relics, while responding to inquiries from guests.
The historical society has documented over 10,000 items discovered at the location, most of which are connected to Lenape culture.
Aron Duncan from Kempton assists his daughter Emmy, age 4, in using a corn shucking crank at the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival held at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, located at 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville, on Saturday, August 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Addressing a void in heritage
Dreibelbis mentioned that the 2025 event attracted more attention than typical, in part due to the fact that the long-standing Kutztown Folk Festival did not take place this summer.
Over the past few years, we’ve welcomed almost 1,000 visitors,” he stated, “and with the favorable weather and increased promotion this year, we anticipated it would be a significant year.
Guests walked through the area and observed live displays as staff members dressed in historical attire provided insights into various skills, including meat cutting and the craft of spinning.
The Virginville Grange provided visitors with classic cuisine.
A horse-drawn carriage was one of the highlights at the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival held at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, located at 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, August 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Visitors find connections
Some of the attendees included Herb Farnsler from Lehigh County and Tim and Kathleen Litzenberger from Bucks County, who are part of the Lehigh County Model A Ford Club. They came in classic vehicles and mentioned that the journey was as much about history as it was about cars.
The work that has been done here and shared with the public is outstanding,” said Kathleen Litzenberger, 81. “We were raised with some of these things, and the younger generation should be aware of them as well.
Her spouse, Tim, referred to the homestead as a genuine living-history museum.
It’s uncommon to find 150 years of history preserved in one location,” he remarked. “It’s as if the family fell asleep, kept everything as it was, and now it’s been opened up for everyone.
Debra Bauer from Fleetwood is distributing some homemade sauerkraut samples at the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival held at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, located at 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, August 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Volunteers keep history alive
The event, which is entering its 13th year, depends significantly on community members who offer their time.
Volunteers are the backbone of this place,” Dreibelbis stated. “There are many committed individuals who have a passion for history and consistently put in the effort throughout the summer, even in the hot and humid conditions, so it’s great to be around people with similar interests.
It’s an ongoing project, he mentioned.
The community intends to keep growing its offerings by adding more nature trails, historical displays, and agricultural showcases in the years ahead.
Stephen Burholder from Fleetwood, left, and Tom Spaar from Hereford were seen driving a horse-drawn wagon ride at the Pennsylvania German Farm Festival held at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm, located at 356 Hard Hill Road near Virginville on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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