BY SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

When descendants of Adam Schneck gather for the 104th annual family reunion on Aug. 4, they will be celebrating not only their family connections but also the heritage of the town of Schnecksville.

The get-together will run 1-6 p.m. in the Union Lutheran Church Family Life Center.

Festivities include a family meeting conducted by President Jim P. Schneck, children’s games, a cakewalk, corn hole and a visit to the historic Schneck House.

The meal, which is always an abundant spread of covered dishes and desserts, will be served 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Along with local Schneck family relatives, the reunion also attracts Schneck descendents from far and wide.

Sometimes there are Schneck attendees from the West Coast, as well as a family cluster from Missouri.

For the 100th reunion, a group of Schneck relatives traveled from Germany to be a part of the family celebration.

Adam Schneck departed his homeland in Germany and arrived at the port of Philadelphia to begin his venture in a new land.

He migrated north to the Lehigh Valley and received land from William Penn where Weis Market stands now.

The town of Schnecksville was laid out by Adam’s grandson, Daniel Schneck, in 1840.

The Schneck family’s home was a log house built near the site of the present McDonald’s.

When the land was needed for development of the shopping center, the old house, with modern additions, was in the way.

In 1994, a group of residents led by local businessmen, formed the Upper Lehigh Historical Society to rescue and preserve the Schneck House.

The building was moved across Route 873 to its present location where it is cared for by volunteers from the organization.

Nancy George Werner, who traces her ancestry to Adam Schneck, reports the historical society is working hard to keep up the log house and property.

She said the Four Square garden which includes herbs, potatoes and vegetables, is doing well.

She mentioned a family hero, Lewis Schneck, lived in the house, went off to fight in the Civil War, and never came back.

“It’s amazing the heritage Adam’s children brought to the area — educators, business owners, and craft persons,” Werner said. “The house is there for posterity.

“The annual reunion is a time for everybody to connect.”

For information on the Schneck family reunion, Schneck House or Upper Lehigh Historical Society, call Nancy at 215-679-6687.