This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Time Spent on the Lichtenwalner Farm Was Golden

We cooked and baked and learned to "act like young ladies."

Editor's Note: On Monday, Patch contributor Peggy Heminitz reported that the Lower Macungie Commissioners have accepted a bid for the historic Lichtenwalner Farm. She generously agreed to share her memories of time she spent there as a 4H member when she was young.

The Charles Lichtenwalner farm on Brookside Road by Lower Macungie Township to Kevin Millheim for $228,000.

I had an opportunity to walk the grounds one last time before the new owner takes over—peering into the windows and wishing I could walk through the house just once more.  It brought tears to my eyes when I saw the deplorable conditions, remembering how well-kept and immaculate everything once was.

Find out what's happening in Lower Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

My “time on the homestead” occurred from the time I was 10 until I was about 14 years old. I joined the Macungie 4-H Club and Mary Kemmerer, the oldest daughter of Charles A. Lichtenwalner, taught cooking in the farm’s large kitchen.

She was a fantastic teacher, with lots of patience—especially with a dozen or more energetic girls learning to measure and stir and bake.  As our food baked in the oven or cooked on the stove, she also taught us proper manners and how to act around boys as we got older.

Find out what's happening in Lower Macungiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Sometimes, we would sit in the living room of the house, where beautiful hand-made quilts hung over chairs and the sofa.  It was here that she often talked about her family — her twin sisters Kathryn and Mildred (whom I discovered had been my second-grade teacher) and twin brothers Charles B. and Ben.

Other times, we would run around outside playing until our parents came for us.  We ran in and around the buildings, sometimes getting in the way of John, the hired hand.  But he would join in and chase us around the yard as we giggled and ran away faster and faster.

But one day it suddenly came to an end.

Ben was killed in a truck accident, leaving everyone in a state of shock. The entire community mourned his loss. Mary was devastated. Never again dis she have the same enthusiasm with her cooking classes.

And she no longer taught us how to “act like young ladies.” We often complained about walking with books on our head, but later we wished Mary would put those books back on top and make us walk down the hall.  I think a part her died with Ben.

Her brother, Charles, purchased the property, and after his death, it was sold to Lower Macungie Township.

Soon, these buildings will be gone forever and all that will be left is our memories.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Lower Macungie