Kutztown in Berks County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Dew of Heaven

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

1. Dew of Heaven Marker

Inscription.

For the Pa. Dutch, the dew which falls from heaven on the anniversary of the coming of the Christ child is supposed to have beneficial effects. Here are several examples: since the number 3 is considered lucky, three pieces of bread are hung on the washline Christmas eve. Before breakfast on Christmas morning, each member of the family eats a portion of the dewey bread. This would prevent fevers until next Christmas.

Farmers would place hay & grain in the barnyard on Christmas eve to collect the dew of heaven. After eating this hay & grain the farm animals were protected against sickness for the coming year.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 40° 31.095′ N, 75° 46.976′ W. Marker is in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. Marker is on the Kutztown Fairgrounds, home of the Kutztown Folk Festival. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 450 Wentz Street, Kutztown PA 19530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pennsylvania Half-Timbering (here, next to this marker); The Mennonites (here, next to this marker); The Moravians (here, next to this marker); Quilting Lore (here, next to this marker); Funeral Feasts (a few

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steps from this marker); Dutch Folksong Tradition (a few steps from this marker); The Bush Meeting (a few steps from this marker); Thanksgiving & Harvest Home (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kutztown.

Regarding Dew of Heaven. Excerpt from "Today... and Yesterday" by The Morning Call

Also see . . .
1. A Look Back in History: Christmas dew and ‘Peace on Earth good will to all’. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Pennsylvania German Society. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Kutztown Folk Festival. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Dew of Heaven Marker and Other Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 3, 2017

2. Dew of Heaven Marker and Other Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.