Pennsylvania Dutch refers to the people who came to Pennsylvania in the late 1600’s and the 1700’s from the German Rhineland, and their descendants. Some of these immigrants came from the German part of Switzerland, and others were French Huguenots. Only a few of them came from the Netherlands. The Pennsylvania Dutch were called Dutch because the word Deutsch, which means German, was misinterpreted.
These settlers came to Pennsylvania to escape war and religious persecution in the Rhineland. They settled mainly in southeastern Pennsylvania. By 1790, the Pennsylvania Dutch made up one-third of Pennsylvania’s population.
The Pennsylvania Dutch valued their agricultural life and worked their fields industriously. The community often worked together to provide assistance to individuals in farm and social matters. These qualities helped the Pennsylvania Dutch prosper as farmers.
Most of the original Pennsylvania Dutch belonged to the Lutheran or German Reformed churches. They were called “the church people.” Others belonged to various sects (religious groups) that grew out of pietism, a religious movement that opposed formal religious practices. These sects included the Amish and Mennonites. These two groups were noted for their plain dress and distrust of formal church practices. Today the Amish and Mennonites are called “the plain people.” Traditionally, they lived mainly in Lancaster and adjacent Pennsylvania counties, but today such communities are also found in Ohio, Indiana, and other areas. Another early group, the Moravians, founded Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and worked to convert American Indians to Christianity. See Amish ; Mennonites ; Moravian Church .
Pennsylvania Dutch artisans became well known for their clocks, glassware, pewterware, and pottery. They also invented the Conestoga wagon and the Pennsylvania rifle. Many Pennsylvania Dutch still maintain their dialect and unique customs. Their distinctive art style is known for its colorful decorative motifs. Many Pennsylvania Dutch buildings are decorated with colorful designs called hex signs. Such hex signs as a star within a circle were once intended to protect against evil spirits, but they now serve mainly as decoration.
The people’s love of music has resulted in beautiful church music, especially choirs such as the famed Bach choir. Characteristic dishes include sauerkraut un schpeck ( sauerkraut and pork), smearcase (cottage cheese), and schnitz un knepp (dried apples and dumplings).
