Celebrating 250 Years of America at the Knauss Homestead on July 25th 2026
As the United States prepares to mark the monumental milestone of its 250th anniversary, communities across the country are reflecting on the people, places, and stories that shaped the nation’s earliest days. Here in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, few places offer a more authentic connection to that history than the Knauss Homestead—a rare and remarkably preserved 18th-century home that quite literally stood at the dawn of America.
On July 25th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Knauss Homestead will open its doors as part of the broader America250 and Emmaus250 celebrations, offering a day of immersive history, thoughtful discussion, and meaningful connection to the past.
This is not just a visit. It’s an opportunity to step into a world that still echoes with the spirit of 1777.
A Living Landmark of Early America
Built during the Revolutionary era, the Knauss Homestead is more than a historic structure—it is a surviving witness to the birth of a nation. Its rare continental plan architecture, deeply rooted in Germanic building traditions, reflects the cultural heritage of the early settlers who came to Pennsylvania seeking religious freedom and a better life.
Families like the Knausses were part of a larger wave of immigrants who answered the call of William Penn, establishing communities grounded in faith, craftsmanship, and resilience. Just steps from what would become the Moravian settlement of Emmaus, the homestead existed within a tightly woven cultural landscape connected to Historic Bethlehem—a hub of early American industry, music, and spiritual life.
During America250, that story comes vividly back to life.
A Day of Living History and Shared Stories
Throughout the day, guests are invited to explore the homestead at their own pace—wandering through rooms that have remained largely unchanged for centuries, standing beneath hand-hewn beams, and experiencing the quiet beauty of a home built with intention and care.
But the heart of the day lies just beyond the house, in the historic barn.
In partnership with leading regional institutions, the Knauss Homestead will host a series of engaging talks that explore perspectives often overlooked in traditional Revolutionary War narratives.
Want to Exhibit During the Emmaus 250 Celebration?
You can choose to set up shop along Main Street and around the Emmaus Triangle, or take part in the Heritage Village happening at the Emmaus Historical Society. Both are great options to get your small business noticed!
The Fourth Annual Harvest Festival at the Knauss Homestead
October 24th, 2026
12:00 NOON – 4:00 PM
Join us again as we welcome fall with some of our community’s best artists and crafters while enjoying craft beer, wine, and lots of area food trucks, bakeries, and artisan kitchens!
Indigenous Perspectives on the Early Days of America
Talk Scheduled at 12 Noon and 3:00 PM in the Knauss Barn.
Long before the founding of the United States, this land was home to Indigenous communities whose histories, traditions, and contributions are essential to understanding early America.
Representatives from the Museum of Indian Culture will share insights into the lives of local Native American tribes, their role during the Revolutionary era, and the broader context of Indigenous life in the Lehigh Valley. This talk offers a powerful and necessary perspective—one that deepens and broadens the story of America’s origins.
The Revolutionary Women Who Held It All Together
Talk Scheduled at 1 :00 PM and 4:00 PM in the Knauss Barn.
While the Revolution is often told through the lens of soldiers and statesmen, it was women who sustained households, supported war efforts, managed farms and businesses, and preserved family life through uncertainty and upheaval.
Members of the Knauss Homestead Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will illuminate these vital contributions, offering a richer, more complete understanding of daily life during the nation’s founding years, told in the rich context of our 1777 family homestead. With actual artifacts and experts on hand, this is one session you won’t want to miss!
A Community Effort Rooted in History
This special America250 programming is made possible through collaboration with regional partners including Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, whose ongoing work preserves and interprets the rich Moravian heritage of the area.
Together, these organizations are helping to tell a fuller, more inclusive story of early America—one that honors not just the well-known figures of the Revolution, but the diverse communities who shaped its outcome.
Easy Access via Emmaus250 Shuttle Service
To make your visit seamless, the Knauss Homestead will be accessible via the Emmaus250 shuttle service, connecting guests to celebration sites throughout the borough all weekend long. Whether you’re spending the day exploring Emmaus or making the homestead your destination, getting there is simple—and part of the experience.
Keep checking back and watching our social media accounts for more information!
🥃 Vendor Spotlight! 🥃
We`re excited to welcome @3sistersrum to our Harvest Festival this fall!
Crafted in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, 3 Sisters Rum is known for its award-winning lineup of handcrafted rums, including their signature 3-year aged white rum, barrel-aged in white oak bourbon barrels, as well as naturally fruit-infused varieties distilled with real fruit flavors.
Their dedication to quality and craftsmanship has earned multiple industry awards and made them a favorite throughout Pennsylvania. Be sure to stop by their booth and raise a glass with them at the Harvest Festival! 🍂
📍 The Knauss Homestead | 152 E Main Street, Emmaus, PA 18049
🎟️ FREE tickets! Link in bio
#KnaussHomestead #HarvestFestival #EmmausPA #SupportLocal #PennsylvaniaMade #CraftSpirits #3SistersRum #LehighValleyEvents #HistoricEmmaus #ShopLocal
Please show the team at @betterscapes some love for showing up and saving the barn. We were minutes from a real heartbreaker. Blas and Ivan, we are forever in debt to you!
#emmauspa #lehighvalleypa #emmaus250 #knausshomestead #savinghistory
🇺🇸 Celebrating 250 Years of American History 🇺🇸
In 1777, America was in the midst of the Revolutionary War. As our nation fought for independence and an uncertain future, another story was unfolding in Emmaus.
On land purchased by his father, Sebastian Knauss, one of the founders of what would become Emmaus, Heinrich Knauss was building a home. Stone by stone and beam by beam.
The Knauss Homestead is a living witness to the birth of our nation and the founding of our community. When America was being born, the Knauss Homestead was being built.
As we celebrate America`s 250th anniversary, we invite you to help preserve this remarkable piece of our shared story:
❤️ Restore the original hearth and chimney
🤍 Preserve the historic front door and transom
💙 Restore the historic barn
Help ensure our story continues for generations to come. Please consider making a donation and become part of preserving nearly 250 years of American history.
Please visit the link in our bio 🔗
#America250 #Knauss #AmericanRevolution #USA #4thofJuly #HappyBirthday #America #Preservation #EmmausPA #FoundingFamilies #Celebration
We`re excited to welcome @yorky_the_realtor to our 4th Annual Harvest Festival at The Knauss Homestead!
Whether you`re buying your first home, searching for your next chapter, or simply stopping by to say hello, be sure to visit Yorky`s booth and learn more about her passion for helping people find a place to call home! 🏠
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 12–4 PM
📍 The Knauss Homestead | 152 E. Main Street, Emmaus, PA
FREE admission tickets: LINK IN BIO 🎟
#KnaussHomestead #HarvestFestival #VendorSpotlight #YorkyTheRealtor #EmmausPA #LehighValleyEvents #SupportLocal #ShopLocal #CommunityEvent #FallFestival
We`re excited to welcome @robertmaletskyhexsigns to our 4th Annual Harvest Festival! 🎨⭐
@robertmaletsky creates authentic, hand-painted Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs and barn stars using traditional techniques and paints. Inspired by the rich folk art traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch, each piece celebrates the history, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage that make our region so special.
Be sure to stop by and discover these beautiful works of Pennsylvania folk art while enjoying an afternoon of local vendors, historic house tours, food, and fall festivities at the Homestead!
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 12–4 PM
📍 The Knauss Homestead | 152 E. Main Street, Emmaus, PA
FREE tickets: LINK IN BIO
#KnaussHomestead #HarvestFestival #VendorSpotlight #HexSigns #PennsylvaniaDutch #PennsylvaniaGerman #FolkArt #EmmausPA #LehighValleyEvents #ShopLocal #SupportSmallBusiness #FallFestival
