On 11 October 2024, Kutztown native and internationally renowned 20th century artist Keith Haring was honored with a Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission historic marker, which was placed on the grounds of the Kutztown Area Historical Society’s 1892 Public School Building. Photos of the ceremony and accompanying special museum exhibition are posted below. Special thanks to photographers Jared Coffin and John Sokolowski for their generous donation of their time and talents to document this occasion.
Part of the crowd attending the dedication on the lawn of the 1892 Public School Building.
Dr. William V. Lewis, Jr., Commissioner, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg
Ashleigh Strange, Executive Director, Governor's Advisory Commission on LGBTQ Affairs
Two of Keith Haring's nieces enjoying the dedication.
Robert Tuerk, LGBTQ Equality Activist, Philadelphia. Mr. Tuerk was one of the applicants to the PHMC for a marker honoring Keith Haring.
Dr. Mary Foltz, Associate Professor of English and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Lehigh University, Bethlehem; Co-Director, South Side Initiative. Dr. Foltz was one of the applicants to the PHMC for a marker honoring Keith Haring.
Liz Bradbury, Board Director, Keystone Equality; Co-Founder, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Center, Allentown
Dr. Brendan Strasser, Librarian/Archivist, Kutztown Area Historical Society, Kutztown
Keith's sisters, aided by Ashleigh Strange and Mary Foltz, unveil the PHMC marker.
The PHMC marker on the grounds of the 1892 Public School Building
Two of Keith Haring's sisters
The Haring Family
The Kutztown Area Historical Society committee that worked on the Haring marker project pose with Dr. Foltz.
PA State Representative (PA-124) Jamie Barton (right) talks with Kutztown Area Historical Society board member Craig Koller.
Visitors viewing the special exhibition, "Keith Haring: Kutztown's Native Son."
In the early days of its existence, the Kutztown Area Historical Society held several events to raise funds for the renovation of the 1892 Public School Building. One of those events was the Christmas Tea and Art Show held on 28 November 1982, which was the Sunday after Thanksgiving. You will see “Thanksgiving 82” noted on one of Keith’s drawings. The show continued on December 4, 5, 11, & 12. Since Keith participated in the art show, he drew on the chalkboards to draw attention to the work he was selling. After the show, he gave permission to the society to preserve and keep his artwork. During the show, Keith sold $300 of his art. His commission to the society was $30, and he donated another $30. Of the 13 artists participating in the show, Keith had the highest revenue. Keith attended school in this building: Fall 1967 – Spring 1968 (4th grade) Fall 1970 – Spring 1973 (7th, 8th, and 9th grades)
In May 1977, Keith used this backpack when hitchhiking across the U.S. to visit art schools. He created his own Grateful Dead design (on the backpack) and printed them on t-shirts. He sold the t-shirts to fund his trip. The huge stain on the backpack came from an ink bottle that broke during Keith’s trip. (on loan from a private collection) Steel Your Face is a live double album by the Grateful Dead, released in June 1976. It is the band’s fifth live album and thirteenth overall. The album was recorded October 17 - 20, 1974 at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom, during a “farewell run” that preceded a then-indefinite hiatus. It was the fourth and final album released by the band on their original Grateful Dead Records label. (on loan from a private collection)
Imperial Brooklyn ‘Spoiled Boys’ Varsity Coat (1980s). A favorite jacket of Keith’s, which he wore often.
