Innovative "Pennsylvania German Futures" Conference Will Map New Directions for the Field this Autumn

The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center will be hosting a new conference on November 14 & 15, 2025 in the Academic Forum at Kutztown University, exploring the future of Pennsylvania German folklife, ethnic identity, and language through academic and community presentations.

This interdisciplinary conference will examine the present state of scholarship about the Pennsylvania Germans (Pennsylvania Dutch), imagine future trajectories of the culture, and envision directions for future scholarship. Welcoming everyone from all backgrounds to attend the event, the Heritage Center will facilitate an open and inclusive discussion with scholars and the community.

On Friday, November 14, the conference will open at 6:30 PM in the Academic Forum at Kutztown University, Room 102, with a keynote presentation by Heritage Center Director Patrick J. Donmoyer, exploring future trajectories of Pennsylvania German Studies and living traditions in the culture region. Light Refreshments will be served, followed by a Community Discussion at 7:00 PM, moderated by Dr. William W. Donner, Freyberger Professor of Pennsylvania German Studies and Patrick Donmoyer. On Saturday, November 15, a series of presentations will commence at 8:30 AM with panels of speakers exploring Pennsylvania German identities, Material Expression, Future Voices, Pennsylvania Dutch Language, and Pennsylvania German Futures.

Speakers will include celebrated voices in the field of Pennsylvania German Studies as well as students studying the culture at Kutztown University, including: Alexander Ames, Simon Bronner, Joshua Brown, Beau deForest, Patrick Donmoyer, William Donner, Vance Dotterer, Sarah Edris, Rose Fisher, Melissa Geary, Mark Louden, Doug Madenford, Richard Miller, Lisa Minardi, Steven Nolt, Nathan Rein, Jennifer Schlegel, Brad Smith, Elaine Vardjan, James Weaver, and William Woys Weaver.

A full conference schedule is available at www.pagerman.org/futures/.

Registration is required to attend, and is free to the public. Optional Saturday Lunch registration is $30, and features traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare, including sausage, sauerkraut, potato filling, salad with hot bacon dressing, and shoofly pie. Registration information is available at www.pagerman.org/futures/ and registrations must be received by November 1. For more information follow PGCHC on Facebook and Instagram, or call 610-683-1589.