PENNSYLVANIA - Pennsylvania’s history with Easter is as diverse as its landscape. From the quiet, austere reflections of the Quaker State’s early settlers to the vibrant, world-renowned traditions of the Pennsylvania Dutch, the Commonwealth has played a pivotal role in shaping how America celebrates the spring holiday.
The Pennsylvania Dutch Influence
Perhaps no group has left a more indelible mark on American Easter than the Pennsylvania Dutch (the German-speaking immigrants who settled in the 1700s). They brought with them traditions that were once considered "exotic" but are now quintessential parts of the holiday.
The Legend of the Oschter Haws
Long before the "Easter Bunny" was a household name, German settlers in Pennsylvania told tales of the Oschter Haws (Easter Hare). According to folklore, this mythical creature would lay colored eggs for children who were well-behaved.
- The Nests: Children would build "nests" out of hats or bonnets, placing them in secluded corners of the home or barn for the hare to find.
- The Transition: By the 1800s, this regional folk tradition began to spread across the United States, eventually evolving into the modern Easter basket.
Egg Dyeing and Scratch-Carving
The Pennsylvania Dutch were also masters of egg decoration. Using natural dyes like onion skins to create deep ambers and beets for soft pinks, they practiced "scratch-carving." In this art form, intricate floral or geometric patterns were etched into the dyed shell with a sharp needle, a practice that remains a prized folk art today.
Moravian Traditions in Bethlehem
In the Lehigh Valley, the city of Bethlehem—founded by the Moravian Church on Christmas Eve in 1741—developed its own solemn and beautiful Easter customs.
- The Sunrise Service: The Moravians are credited with popularizing the Easter Sunrise Service in America. Since the 1740s, the "Trombone Choir" has marched through the streets of Old Bethlehem in the pre-dawn hours to wake the faithful.
- God’s Acre: The service traditionally moves to the Moravian cemetery, known as God’s Acre, where the congregation celebrates the resurrection among the flat, uniform gravestones that symbolize equality in death.
The Industrial Sweet Tooth
As Pennsylvania moved into the Industrial Revolution, the holiday shifted from folk tradition to a commercial powerhouse. Several Pennsylvania companies changed the way the world eats at Easter:
- Hollow Chocolate: Throughout the late 19th century, Philadelphia’s confectioners were pioneers in molding hollow chocolate figures, a technique that allowed for the massive chocolate bunnies we see today.
- Marshmallow Peeps: In the 1950s, the Just Born company began mass-producing Peeps in Bethlehem. These marshmallow chicks, originally handmade with a pastry bag over the course of 27 hours, became a cultural phenomenon produced in just six minutes thanks to Pennsylvania engineering.
- Whitman’s Sampler: Born in Philadelphia in 1842, Whitman’s became the gold standard for boxed chocolates, often given as prestigious Easter gifts.
Religious Diversity and the Easter Promenade
While the Pennsylvania Dutch and Moravians provided the folk and liturgical foundations, the arrival of Italian, Polish, and Irish immigrants in the late 1800s added new layers to the state's celebrations.
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The Blessing of the Baskets: In the coal regions and cities like Pittsburgh and Scranton, the Slavic tradition of Święconka (blessing of the Easter baskets) remains a vital Saturday ritual.
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Philadelphia’s Easter Promenade: Dating back over 90 years, the South Street Easter Promenade became a way for city dwellers to show off their "Sunday Best," evolving into a vibrant community parade filled with music and elaborate bonnets.
Did you know? The very first mention of the Easter Bunny in American literature was found in the diary of a Pennsylvania man, Georg Peter Albrecht, in the late 1700s.
Pennsylvania’s Easter history is a story of how old-world faith and folklore met new-world industry, creating a holiday that is both deeply spiritual and delightfully whimsical.
