2019 Dreisbach-Dresbach Reunion - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
July 19, 20 and 21, 2019 - Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel
A wonderful reunion planned by our Reunion Coordinator - Sharon Driscoll. Thank you, Sharon!
Two Bus Tours were offered for Friday, July 19th:
TOUR 1: 9 9:00-10:30am
JOHN ADAMS BETHLEHEM WALKING TOUR Leaves from the Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center 505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 See Bethlehem through John Adams' eyes on this tour led by a costumed guide & discover the role historic Bethlehem played during the American Revolutionary War. The Historical Society is going to customize this tour to our family’s interest. Learn more about who the Moravians were, as well as the visits of John Adams and the Marquis de La Fayette to our city.
TOUR 2: 12:30pm-7:30pm
Zion UCC Stone Church & Cemetery Also known as Kreidersville Cemetery, Stone Church Cemetery, Zions Stone UCC Cemetery-Pastor Mike Landman
Zion's Stone UCC has been a vital and active congregation in the Northampton and greater Lehigh Valley area for over 240 years. Nestled in a picturesque country setting in Kreidersville, Pennsylvania and just a hop, skip and jump from downtown Northampton. Zion's Stone UCC is devoted to spreading the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 51 Church Road Kreidersville, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 18067
Tour of the cemetery - 83 Dreisbachs are buried in this cemetery, visit tombstones of Simon Dreisbach Sr, Jost D (miller and oldest son of Simon Sr), Adam Dreisbach (2nd son of Simon), Simon Dreisbach Jr (3rd son of Simon Sr) and Johannes/John Dreisbach (5th son of Simon Sr) as well as other very early Dreisbachs from the 1700's.
Leaving the church parking lot, the bus will head north on Walnut Drive. The bus will park at the intersection of Walnut Drive and Cedar Drive and people will get off the bus. We will see the site where Jost had his mill, as well as where the original Dreisbach Church was located (it was replaced by Zion Stone Church about 1780). We will get back on the bus and head EAST on Cedar Drive, making a stop beside an original Dreisbach log cabin (which is not open to the public). Bus will continue along Cedar Drive to Apricot Road. Turn right on Apricot Road. Continue to Murphy Road. Turn right on Murphy Road. Continue on Murphy Road back to Walnut Drive. Turn LEFT on Walnut Drive. Continue on Walnut Drive to Route 248. Pull into the parking lot of the Pennsville Tavern which is at the intersection of Walnut Drive and Route 248
4:00pm - Drive-by Pennsville Hotel-site of early Dreisbach Tavern-present building from early 1800
From the Pennsville Tavern stop.... turn onto Kreidersville Road going South. Turn left onto Howertown Road. Turn left onto Mud Lane. There is an old Mennonite cemetery immediately on the right and a small parking lot for the cemetery. The bus can pull into the parking lot or park along the side of the road. After the cemetery stop, the bus will continue East on Mud Lane and turn right on Seemsville Road. It will continue south to route 329 (Nor-Bath Blvd) and turn left on 329. It will go about one mile and then turn into the parking lot for the old Presbyterian Church that Simon Jr also attended. Disembark the bus if there is time and visit the old church and the old cemetery. Exit church parking lot and continue East on Route 329 (Nor-Bath Boulevard). Turn right onto Airport Road South. Continue south to Colony Drive. Turn Left onto Colony Drive. Continue along this road to Jaindl Boulevard. Turn Right onto Jaindl Blvd. Turn Right at Township Line Road. Turn Right onto Hanoverville Road. The Hanoverville Inn is at the corner, parking lot is on the left.
4:30-5:30pm - Drive to Simon Dreisbach Jr's land
5:30-7:00pm - Dinner at Hanoverville Inn, 5001 Hanoverville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017 - Hanoverville Inn - built by son of Simon Jr. Beginning its life as a stagecoach stop in the 1800s, the Hanoverville Road House has found the perfect equation for casual grace.
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019: The BIG day! Best Western Lehigh Valley Hotel
9:00am Registration-nametags
9:30am Kick-off and opening remarks
9:45-10:45am Simon Dreisbach Jr. - Marcia Falconer, Dreisbach genealogist, DFA Newsletter author/editor.
11:00-12:30 Dreisbach Patriots during the Revolutionary War-Sharon Driscoll, Registrar, Amelia Island Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Steven Patrick, President, Arthur St. Clair Chapter, Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Steve & I will be dressed to authenticate the era they lived before, during and after the Revolutionary War.
12:30 - 2:00pm Lunch on your own
2:00–3:00pm Bethlehem, PA during the Revolutionary War
3:00-4:00pm German Heritage & Language
4:30pm DFA business meeting, planning for the future of DFA, planning 2022 reunion, sharing stories and memorabilia.
Browse silent auction tables.
6:00–7:30pm Buffet dinner at the hotel Dinner Buffet
8:00pm Silent Auction winners announced ***Finally, Please bring items for a Silent Auction***