The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles will once again host Fastnacht Day – one of the Museum’s most-loved events – in the famous Fegely’s Reading Diner on Tuesday, February 13. During their visit, guests can sit inside the beautifully preserved diner and enjoy coffee and homemade fastnachts. Coffee and pie are available for purchase at 25 cents per fastnacht and 5 cents for a cup of coffee.
Fastnachts are traditionally made by kitchens in southeastern Pennsylvania just once a year before the start of Lent. This custom began in the 17th and 18th centuries when German immigrants started to settle in the region, bringing the practice of abstaining from the consumption of sugary and fatty foods during the Lenten season. During those 40 days, foods like lard, butter, and sugar were at risk of spoiling, so efforts were made to consume those foods before the fasting began. Fastnachts are usually made with potato flour, sugar, eggs, and butter or lard, and are fried, resulting in a crispy exterior and a tender, doughy center.
In addition to the classic fried treats and coffee, visitors will have full access to the Museum’s historic collection. Docents will be on hand to answer questions about the vehicles and provide insight into the rare machines on display. Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch live blacksmithing demonstrations and machine shop demonstrations in the original Jeremiah. Swinehart Carriage Factory, which is part of the Museum’s galleries and is open to the public daily.
The Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1965 by Paul and Erminie Hafer. The Museum, located at 85 South Walnut Street in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, preserves and displays examples of Pennsylvania’s road transportation history in the former factory buildings of the Boyertown Auto Body Works. Over ninety locally manufactured cars, trucks, carriages, bicycles, and motorcycles are on display, as well as two examples of roadside architecture–a 1921 cottage-style Sunoco gas station and a 1938 Jerry O’Mahony diner.
The Museum is open seven days a week, 9:30am-4pm. Contribution rates are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and AAA members, and ages 15 & under are free. For more information, call 610-367-2090 or visit boyertownmuseum.org.
