The Knauss Homestead is asking the community for support both financially and with membership.

The cost of maintaining this historic house requires at least 200 annual paying members to sustain the costs associated with heat, security, electricity and telephone.

The security system which provides basic protection from break in or fire alert requires a land line phone which is a monthly expense, as well as the monthly service charge paid to the security company.

Over the past three years, there have been numerous occasions when the furnace has malfunctioned causing heating pipes to burst and heating units to be rendered inoperable. The Borough of Emmaus has been as helpful as they can but nevertheless has had to extend some of the expense for repairs to the Homestead Society.

The borough requires maintenance of a mean temperature in the house of 64 degrees to avoid mold and mildew problems and further requires the system continue to function on a time cycle during the summer and early fall months.

All of this results in a heating oil expense and with the cost of heating oil hovering in the $3.40 a gallon range the costs have been draining.

The Knauss Homestead is long overdo for exterior painting and much more. They will be exploring grant opportunities over the summer.

Whether you are a relative, a citizen of Emmaus, or someone who loves history and its preservation, they are asking for new members to join the Knauss Homestead Preservation Society and by doing so help provide the funds needed to keep the homestead going.

"This is your house, it is where your ancestors lived and toiled in the everyday activities required for survival in a very young country. It is your house, it is where the eldest son of one of Emmaus Founding Fathers carried on the trade of wheelwright in the tiny closed Moravian community," John Schmoyer, Knauss descendant and president, Knauss Homestead Preservation Society said.

As they get more members, they will actively explore the possibility of monthly meetings and the opportunity for volunteer work. There is always work to be done, from cleaning to weeding of the medicinal herb garden.

Schmoyer said a discount card for area businesses will be provided with each membership.

For additional information, contact Linda at 610-395-1240 or via email at johnschmoyer@gmail. com.