211-213 West Main St.
Kutztown, PA 19530
According to my best information the Cut and Thrust Museum has closed its doors. If different information comes to light it will be posted here>
Part museum, part sales gallery, Cut and Thrust offers fascinating exhibits of edged weapons and other militaria. The Museum got its name from the two major types of swords: the cutting sword is used to slash an enemy, while the thrusting sword is used to "stick them," in the words of owner and curator Ron Howell.
Howell began collecting knives and blades at age eleven when his uncle, the late Gene Miller, gave him his first sword. The same uncle is also the donor of the Museum's most prized item, a beautiful and massive saber that was given to Revolutionary War major John Lily by General Lafayette. Lily, who had served under Lafayette, went on to become the first superintendent at West Point. The sword is displayed in a unique cylindrical plexiglass case that can be rotated for complete viewing.
Weaponry dating back as far as 2,000 B.C. can be seen here, including swords, daggers, crossbows, battle axes, and other edged weapons, as well as old firearms. Just a few of the unique items on display include
The Cannon resided in the Tower of London for a time
after it was captured from Pasha Ibrham by Sir Robert
Stopford during his siege of Fort Acre in Israel. Other items
that can be seen include historic letters and documents, and
a sacrificial Gri-Guk and human skull from Tibet. The skull
-- actually just the top part -- is believed to have belonged
to an unfortunate monk. It was said that those who drank from
such a vessel acquired the owner's wisdom.All tours are
Self-Guided, and though there are no formal programs, a visit
is a very different approach to the past.Other rooms of the
converted bank building contain galleries where consignees
and dealers have similar items for sale. Howell does a brisk
business here, drawing clients from around the
nation.
Hours: Open during summer only., Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 12 - 5pm and Saturday from 9 - 5.
Admission: Adults $3.00, Students $1.50. Group rates same.
Reservations: 1 week.
Lunch: Nearby restaurants.
Handicapped: Partial. Call.
Directions: Pennsylvania Tpke NE Extension (Rt. 9) North to Rt. 222 South to Kutztown. Take Rt. 737 South (Greenwich St.) to West Main St. Turn right. to #211-213
Time: 60 - 90 minutes northwest of Philadelphia.
Nearby: Mid-Atlantic Air Museum , Lehigh County Historical Society , Mack Trucks , Museum of Indian Culture , 1803 House , Pool Wildlife Sanctuary .