Pennsylvania Germans, who were among the earliest American settlers, still abide as an American folk group and have had a profound effect on American culture. Penn State folklorist and historian Simon Bronner recently spoke with us about his new book, Pennsylvania Germans: An Interpretive Encyclopedia, and about current directions in the study of this distinctive culture.
Why bring out this book now?
I was astonished to find that the last academic survey of Pennsylvania German history and culture came out almost 75 years ago. And why should they demand encyclopedic attention? The Pennsylvania Germans are a very old and extensive group—during the 18th century, it was estimated that one out of every three settlers in Pennsylvania spoke German or came from Germany—but they’ve often been dismissed because of the view that they’re not a contemporary group, outside of the Amish. We’re trying to show that many people maintain that heritage and find it significant to their identity.
What makes the Pennsylvania Germans a ‘folk group,’ and how is that different from an ethnic minority?
Previously they were known as a folk group partly because of their association with the land and living closely in community. Now, you don’t have to be tradition-centered to be considered a folk group. The point is that you have traditions that you continue to express and use to maintain your identity. With an ethnic minority, you’re identified by your national ancestry whether or not you continue to have traditions that you maintain. Probably the best example is of the Scots-Irish. They were also a colonial-era folk group, but they didn’t maintain community and their traditions in the same way that other groups did.
They’ve also had a large impact on the dominant culture.
Yes! Pennsylvania Germans are associated with the Christmas tree, the Easter bunny, funnel cakes, scrapple, and with Groundhog Day—the groundhog is the avatar of Pennsylvania Germans. In the Popular Culture chapter I document ‘groundhog clubs’ as far west as California, that get together and try to maintain their ‘Dutchiness.’