Lititz Moravian Archives and Museum 

                  Early History of Lititz Moravian Archives

Today’s Archive Museum on Church Square is a result of careful collecting begun by Abraham Reinke Beck (1833-1928) who first taught in his father’s school and later established the Beck School for Boys. He was the archivist of the congregation and during his life he carefully collected for preservation early registers, diaries, ledgers and personal writings of the congregation, adding many translations and explanatory notes about the items he gathered. Books, textiles, artwork, and furniture of the early Lititz community were included in the collection housed in two rooms of the third floor of the Brothers’ House.

    While the concept of an Archives/Museum dated from the mid-19th century, it was not until the late 1940s that members of the Archives Committee committed themselves to the task, including Dr. Byron Horne, Herma Losensky, Ernie Johnson, Bea Posey, Mary Huebener, and Katherine Bricker. With a generous gift from Eli L. Garber work began, and the first museum display was set up in the two front rooms on the second floor of the Brothers’ House and dedicated on June 24, 1951. 

New home for Archives and Museum

    With the construction of Moravian Manor in the early 1970s, the building on the west side of Church Square, which had been built as the Moravian Home for Aged Women in 1908, became available for museum purposes. One of the featured exhibits of the museum is the Church’s large collection of early musical instruments. By the summer of 1980, with expert help by the curator of musical instruments at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, the Committee collected, restored and organized the exhibit into displays on the second floor of the museum.  Over the ensuing years, displays have been added as papers, furniture and artifacts became available.  Currently, the exhibit features a series of climate controlled display cases containing brass, woodwind, and string instruments. 

Archives Committee under Authority of Trustees

    The Archives Committee operates by the authority of the Board of Trustees, who originally appointed all of the members. Membership is now open to any member of the congregation who wishes to contribute his or her time and talent. The first president to be elected by the committee itself was Wayne LeFevre. Wayne was church historian as well as church organist.  Other well-known Lititz Moravian historians and archivists have been A.R. Beck, Herbert H, Beck (who served as archivist for 32 years), Mary Huebener, Hiram Eberly and Dr. Byron Horne.

    Today the Committee is chaired by Trustee Clarence Martin. Members are Dale Shelley, Cindy Seaton, Cyndy Scibal (Elder Representative,) John Morman, Dorothy Earhart (tour guide organizer), Pat Hartzell, Tom Wentzel, Charlene VanBrookhoven, Ed and Jeanne Preisendanz and Nancy and Bob Sandercox.  The Committee usually meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. 

Museum Hours

    The Archive Museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays during summer months from 10 a.m. to noon. It and the Gift Shop are also open on the second Friday evening of the month for the merchants’ “Lovin’ Lititz every 2nd” Friday program.  Otherwise, access is available by appointment by calling the church office.