From Germania to JAHA to be held March 19

Posted: March 2, 2022 8:07 am

In 1907, the Germania Brewing Company was built in Cambria City. It included a courtyard ringed by a five-story brew house, a bottling plant, and a cooperage and warehouse. Prohibition put the company out of business in 1919, and the buildings soon became the Ferguson Packing Company – and later still, the Morris Electric Supply Company, and then the Morris Paper Company. Since 2001, it has been the home of the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center, which is owned and operated by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association.

JAHA is holding “From Germania to JAHA” on Mar. 19 to celebrate this rich history and showcase the entire building. The event, which will be held from 6:00-9:00 pm, will feature three floors of live music, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and each ticketholder will receive six 2-oz. samples of locally-produced wine from B&L Wine Cellars or beer from Stone Bridge Brewing Company.

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“We’re telling the story of early industrial America with our exhibitions – and our building helps tell that story in a really tangible way,” said Richard Burkert, president of JAHA. “With this event, we hope to encourage people to explore the entire building and see all we have to offer.”

The event is designed to move guests through the building, as follows:

• Gift shop and first floor exhibition “America: Through Immigrant Eyes”: B&L Wine Cellars will offer samples of Cambria City Red and Pink Catawba, and charcuterie cups will be served, while guitarist George Byich will play.
• Second floor galleries: Jeff Perigo will entertain, and Stone Bridge Brewing Company will offer samples of their Heritage Czech Pilsner, with special labeling created as a tribute to Germania Brewing, and their Downtown Brown Ale. A mini-pierogi and potato pancake bar with assorted dips and toppings will be served, along with glazed kolbassi bites.
• Third floor, Johnstown Children’s Museum: an assortment of mini gobs will be offered, along with pairings from both Stone Bridge Brewing (Her Majesty – a coconut imperial porter) and B&L Wine Cellars (Thunder Red and Riesling).
• Fourth floor, Ethnic Social Club: A cash bar and music by the Whiskey River Panhandlers.

Mini-tours of the various exhibitions in the building will be offered. Guests will be able to place themselves in Johnstown’s history courtesy of the photobooth by Top Dog Productions. Floral arrangements by Cambria City Flowers, will be on display, and a 50/50 and a basket raffle will round out the evening’s offerings.

“Given the theme of the evening, we thought ethnic food with local beer and wine were especially appropriate,” said Stephanie Daniels, director of rentals and sales for JAHA. “We’re also excited to include other businesses located right here in our historic neighborhood, Cambria City Flowers and Top Dog Productions.”