Visit French-American Issac DeTurk's Home in Oley Valley

The DeTurk family is of French Huguenot descent and is descendant from Isaac DeTurk who immigrated to the Hudson River valley in New York in 1708. Isaac was from Picardy in northern France. 

In 1685, the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes occurred prompting Huguenots throughout France and Alsace-Lorraine to begin fleeing into [other] areas. The DeTurks were among the many Huguenot refugees who eventually made their way to America. In 1712, Isaac came to the Oley Valley from New York.

Well into the 19th century at least, DeTurk descendants continued to own the family farm. By 1958, the property was owned by Dwight Moyer and William Gotwalls and was vacant. In 1967, the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County obtained a 100-year lease on the property from the Gotwalls family. Funds were obtained from the Women’s Club of Oley.

Interested in visiting the Johan DeTurk cabin? It is open every day by advance appointment only. Please contact the Trust office at least 14 days in advance of your trip to make an apnpointment. Whenever possible, please supply two alternate appointment dates.

Above information and photo from Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County.