Published August 10. 2025 04:10AM
The Peach Festival returned for its fourth year July 26, offering a sunny afternoon filled with fun, food and community spirit. From noon to 4 p.m., more than 45 vendors set up on the historic Knauss Homestead grounds, welcoming hundreds of visitors in support of the ongoing restoration and preservation of this local landmark.
The festival featured a wide range of activities and food options, with juicy, locally grown peaches from Hausman Fruit Farm among the highlights. Guests enjoyed shopping, live music and historical displays — all while celebrating the rich heritage of one of the oldest properties in Emmaus.
The Knauss Homestead dates back to 1777, when Heinrich Knauss, son of one of Emmaus founders Sebastian Knauss, built the house on a 200-acre parcel his father purchased in 1747. The home remained in the Knauss family for 158 years, passed down through generations until 1935.
Mary Ellen Knauss holds the distinction of being the home’s longest resident. She moved in at age 18 in 1866 and remained there until her death in 1935 at age 87 — a remarkable 69-year residence that also marked the end of Knauss family ownership.
PRESS PHOTOS BY MICHAEL HIRSCHVisitors explore vendor tables and gather outside the historic Heinrich Knauss House during the Fourth Annual Peach Festival, held on the grounds of the Knauss Homestead. The event drew large crowds in support of local history and preservation efforts.
A hand-stitched rag doll sits on a wooden chair beside the bed in an upstairs bedroom of the Knauss Homestead, offering a glimpse into 19th-century domestic life. The room features period furnishings and a woven coverlet typical of the era.
Gene Clock, president of Knauss Homestead Preservation Society, sits with Linda Knauss, descendant of Heinrich Knauss.
Edward Knauss IV stands by the doorway of his ancestors’ home open for guided tours.
Shaded seating is available inside the historic barn.
Katrina Wieand and Linda Boehmer, with the Emmaus Historical Society and Museum, are available to provide information to visitors.
