Donmoyer, currently employed by the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center as historic building conservator, will explain the historical and cultural roots of traditional customs, rituals and folkways known as "braucherei" or "powwow." He will use extensive, original primary-source materials to provide the audience with examples of ritual applications of prayers and processes that were used primarily for the healing and protection of both humans and their domesticated animals.
These folk customs were of broad-reaching scope in Pennsylvania throughout three centuries. Donmoyer will explain the concepts underlying these customs, blending a history of religion, medicine and science in early Germanic culture and demonstrate the ways in which folk medicine persists in the present day, despite tension with officially sanctioned religion and medicine.
Donmoyer is a graduate of Kutztown University. He began his research of Pennsylvania German barn stars after receiving a research scholarship from the Peter Wentz Farmstead Society of Montgomery County. He is in the process of publishing his research on this subject. Among his other interests are the study of the Pennsylvania German dialect and German-language printing in early Pennsylvania.
Tuesday's lecture is open to the public; a free-will offering will be taken. Call 717-272-9711 for more information or directions. Visit the Cornwall Iron Furnace website at www.cornwallironfurnace.org for more information about the furnace.