Camp Mensch Mill (Alburtis, PA)

Collection

Identifier: Institutional RG 082

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains Activities, Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Charter, History, genealogy of the Mensch Family, Publications, The Evolution of Mensch Mill by William Solly, Annual Photographs of campers, Photographs of buildings, activites and people,audio visual material, films, Meeting Minutes 1934-1973, Newspapers created by campers from 1931-2012, maps and blueprints.

Dates

Creation: 1928 - 2014

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Biographical / Historical

The Eastern Synod of the Reformed Church in the United States purchased farm property that was originally owned by the Adam L. Mensch family for $6,000 for the development of a church leadership training center on November 15, 1928. In 1947, the Jacob G. Rupp farm was purchased for $1, enlarging the Camp Mensch Mill property (an additional 70 plus acres). In 2004, the Kline Conference Center opened, on additional grounds that had been purchased from the late Annabelle Kemp, which expanded programming opportunities. For eighty-four years, the mostly wooded area of Mensch Mill was home to summer youth camps, workshops, and retreats.

The Amitabha Buddhist Society purchased Camp Mensch Mill from the Pennsylvania Conference of the United Church of Christ in 2014, maintaining the property's current form and function, operating a retreat and conference center for their Society's members as well as groups from other organizations.