Demuth Tobacco Shop Is Also A Museum

Lovers of Americana will not want to miss the exhibit of tobacco artifacts at the Foundation from April 1st through May 27th.  Such unusual items as Pfaltzgraff snuff jars, colorful ceramic tobacco jars, cigar holders, cigar cutters, meerschaum pipes and bowls will be on display in the gallery on the second floor of the museum.  Curiosities such as old newspapers and photographs will add an amusing touch.  And of course the famous wooden store sign, the little snuff boy, will preside over all.

These knickknacks are all from the bygone days of the Demuth Tobacco Shop. It has been part of downtown Lancaster for so long that today few people even notice the rather inconspicuous building on East King Street as they hurry by.  But at one time it was a favorite place for men to gather, rather like a clubhouse.  They could relax and talk politics or the weather while getting their prescriptions filled for their special tobacco.  No doubt the aroma of honey, licorice, rum, and cherry filled the air.

Demuth’s is not only the oldest tobacco shop in America, it is also the only one in the continuous ownership of one family.  In fact, it might be called a monument to continuity, having been owned and operated by successive generations of the Demuth family from 1770 to 1986, when it was deeded to the Foundation.

The most illustrious scion of the family is the painter, Charles (1883-1935).  He was never encouraged to go into the business because of his frail health, and he feigned disinterest in it anyway, but he could not have pursued his career in art without the strong financial support of the Demuth Tobacco Shop.  Long years of hard work by his forebears made possible Charles’s “artist’s life.”  Thus, it is fitting that the art of tobacco should be displayed in the Demuth House.

Before tobacco was grown locally, it had to be brought up from the South by boat to Philadelphia, then transported to Lancaster by “waggoners,” then ground into snuff at the Demuth mill at the rear of the property.  The whole process was slow and expensive.  Later on, a factory for making pipe tobacco and cigars was added to the snuff mill.  All this enterprise was supervised from father to son to the last one, Christopher, who owned the place from 1937 to 1978.  On his death, his wife, Dorothea, managed the business until 1986 when she deeded it to the Foundation.

The continuing popularity of Demuth products was due to their tradition of high quality, as well as to the friendly atmosphere of the shop.  Also important was the installation on the property of a self-recording thermometer in 1937.  Other weather observations, regarding humidity and precipitation were made with such accuracy that Demuth’s became the weather station for Lancaster newspapers.

Since 1986 the Demuth Foundation had endeavored to preserve the same high quality of products and to maintain with loving care the beauty and dignity of the entire Demuth complex, its buildings, their contents, and the garden.  They are a permanent reminder to Lancastrians and tourists of a unique bit our history. – MW