October 13, 2026
The Revolutionary War Hospital in Ephrata
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
7pm
In 1732, German pietists established a semi-monastic community that we know today as the Ephrata Cloister, a historic site operated by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Life for this community of pacifists was forever changed when, in December 1777, the Continental Army requisitioned Cloister buildings to establish a military hospital that provided care to nearly 260 soldiers. In this presentation, Bradley Smith will discuss the intriguing story of Ephrata’s Revolutionary War hospital, with a special emphasis on new discoveries that are expanding our understanding of its curious history.
A Lebanon County native, Bradley is the Site Administrator at the Historic Ephrata Cloister. Prior to his arrival at Ephrata, he worked for nearly 20 years in a variety of roles with the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Bradley also worked for 6 years with the Berks History Center as a curator, archivist, and assistant director. An adjunct professor of history for 20 years at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, he is a frequent speaker for museums, libraries, and historical societies. He has also taught Pennsylvania Dutch language classes for several organizations.
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