Pennsylvania German

Refers to the style and culture of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century German settlers in Pennsylvania and their descendants. Their culture is characterized by a retention of traditional German styles of cookery and craftsmanship, often recognized by distinctive decorative motifs, including geometric hex signs painted on barns and floral and other patterns stenciled on furniture and housewares. Some descendents drive horse-drawn buggies, wear simple, traditional clothing, and live according to strict religious principles. The large flow of immigrants from the Rhine area of Germany was encouraged by the religious tolerance of William Penn's colonial government. Immigrants were members of several groups, including Mennonites, Quakers, Amish, Moravians, Schwenckfelders, and Dunkers (or German Baptists); later immigrants included Lutherans and members of the Reformed churches.