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

Outdoor Bake Oven

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

1. Outdoor Bake Oven Marker

Inscription.
During the 18th century, every Pa. Dutch farmscape included an outdoor bake oven. Since Pa. Dutch farm women did not yet have woodstoves, they had to devise a way to bake. Most farm kitchens contained large open-hearth fireplaces, over which family meals were made. Baking in this fireplace was impossible.

Often shaped like a small hill, bake ovens were constructed from brick or native rock. A wood fire was built in the bottom which was separated from the top half by a stone shelf.

With the advent of the wood burning cook stoves, the outdoor bake oven fell into disuse.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Women.

Location. 40° 31.059′ N, 75° 46.972′ W. Marker is in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, in Berks County. It can be reached from Wentz Street. 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania

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and specifically in Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wheelbarrow Matches (within shouting distance of this marker); Quilting Lore (within shouting distance of this marker); The Conestoga Wagon (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bush Meeting (within shouting distance of this marker); Thanksgiving & Harvest Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Cider (within shouting distance of this marker); Funeral Feasts (within shouting distance of this marker); Dutch Folksong Tradition (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kutztown.

Regarding Outdoor Bake Oven. Excerpt from "Today... and Yesterday" by The Morning Call

Also see . . .
1. A Look Back in History: Farm women turned out plenty of fresh bread and pies in outdoor bake ovens.

Outdoor Bake Oven and Marker image. Click for full size.

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

2. Outdoor Bake Oven and Marker

(Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. The Pennsylvania German Society. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Backyard Bread Oven: Build this easy adobe cooker in a weekend. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
5. Build an Outdoor Stove, Oven, Grill and Smoker. (Submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 579 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.