The current barn at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm isn’t the first one to have been built. The barn roof was restored just a few years ago and in 1908, the barn was completely rebuilt for the third time after it burned down. Here are some pictures of the process from 1908!
The Dreibelbis family ancestors originated in the Aargau Canton of Switzerland, emigrated first to the Palatinate region of Germany, and then to America. Our Swiss/German forefather, John Jacob Dreibelbis, first set foot on American soil when he landed at Philadelphia on September 26, 1732.
The John Jacob Dreibelbis Cousins of America, founded in 1932, has been active in researching family history, holding Reunions and other events for family members, and preserving elements of our past for future generations.
The historic Dreibelbis Farm, located in Virginville, Berks County, Pennsylvania, is a 180+acre farm that has been owned by the Dreibelbis family for over 240 years. The site, its buildings, and the artifacts of the site are maintained by the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society.
“Objects and Purposes” of the John Jacob Dreibelbis Cousins of America, according to our Constitution which was given final approval on September 5, 1937 are stated as:
- To stimulate the interest of the Cousins in their Kinship.
- To cultivate a closer fellowship of the Cousins and thereby instill the wholesome Charity that should exist among men, more especially those of the same blood.
- To collect and compile Historical data, and the genealogies of the members, and to make this material available to the Cousins.
- To repair and preserve the burial grounds of our Ancestors and any other property that may require such attention.
- To secure and hold Title to any such properties where it has passed out of the ownership of direct descendants.
- To assist in any other manner which may be in our means to do so, our Cousins to attain to a more useful, better, happier, beautiful life.