The Amos Herr Foundation will sponsor a free lecture by Jack Brubaker at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at Woodcrest Villa, 2001 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster. Brubaker, a Manor Township resident who writes "The Scribbler" column, as well as articles for other local publications, will discuss the life and work of author Phebe Gibbons. Phebe is credited with popularizing Pennsylvania Dutch culture in the 19th century and subsequently laying the foundation for tourism in Lancaster County through her book "Pennsylvania Dutch and Other Essays."

Before Phebe published "Pennsylvania Dutch and Other Essays" in 1872, many Americans had no knowledge of Amish and Mennonite communities. The author was born in a Quaker community in Philadelphia in the early 19th century, but she came to Lancaster after marrying Joseph Gibbons of Bird-in-Hand. As a member of the Quaker community, Phebe had much in common with the plain manner of living that was practiced by her Amish and Mennonite neighbors; her first name even lacked the conventional "o" in "Phoebe" due to the Quakers' belief that it was too worldly. Phebe's relocation to Lancaster granted her an intimate view into its residents' culture, which she describes in her book.

In addition to being a talented author and a Quaker with many traditional values, Phebe was a progressive thinker and a scholar. She belonged to several intellectual groups and spoke with the likes of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and John Greenleaf Whittier. Phebe was also an abolitionist and operated an Underground Railroad station just north of Bird-in-Hand, just like her family members had for the past two generations. Phebe's status and capability as a writer contributed to the national success of "Pennsylvania Dutch and Other Essays." Folk life scholar Alfred Shoemaker praised the book as a fascinating account, and it helped to propel the success of the tourism industry in Lancaster County.

In addition to his interest in the history of Lancaster County, Brubaker has a personal tie to the Gibbons family. Brubaker's great-grandfather married Mariana Gibbons, one of Phebe's children. Brubaker grew up reading Phebe's diaries, and his family became the sole inheritor of all of the author's material. The Brubakers have donated most of Phebe's work to LancasterHistory. "For me, it's been sort of carrying the torch for a family that I admire greatly, even though there's no blood relationship," Brubaker said. Brubaker was born in Bird-in-Hand, on the same farm where Phebe once lived.

Brubaker frequently gives lectures throughout Lancaster County on a variety of subjects, and he was asked by the Amos Herr Foundation to present at Woodcrest Villa several years ago. After a positive reception, the foundation has asked Brubaker to return to the retirement home annually to give a lecture.