For many of Pennsylvania’s early German-speaking settlers, handwriting was more than a communication tool.  It was also a component of religious devotion.  Highlighting objects in the HSP collection, this presentation by Doctoral student Alexander Lawrence Ames explores the complex relationship between Pennsylvania German spiritualism and the visual presentation of devotional texts. 

Speakers Bio: Alexander Lawrence Ames is a 2014 graduate of the Winterthur Program in American Material Culture at the University of Delaware and Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library, where he specialized in Pennsylvania German Frakturschrift calligraphy and manuscript illumination practices.  He is pursuing a PhD in History of American Civilization at the University of Delaware.  His dissertation will examine the history of Frakturschrift letter forms in Europe and America between 1683 and 1850.  He interned in HSP’s Programs and Services department during summer, 2014. 

This program is part of the Pen to Paper program series. Purchase the entire series and the third program is free.