Hermann Museums | |
The Deutschheim State
Historic Site
The
Deutschheim State Historic Site on West Second St in Hermann
captures the culture and heritage of the German people who migrated
to Missouri in the mid to late 19th century. Their home interiors,
tools, implements, garden plantings and architecture quickly became
a reflection of Missouri's diverse culture. The Carl Strehly house is open to tour. It depicts the life of a middle-class family of moderate means from 1865-1880. The main part of the building was constructed in 1842, and for the next 27 years it was modified and enlarged. It housed a printing business that provided the community with two German-language newspapers. In the late 1850s, a winery was added. The Pommer-Gentner house was built in 1840 and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Hermann. It is currently closed for restoration, but when it reopens it will feature furnishings that reflect the life of an aristocratic family of the 1830s and 1840s. The family was among the founding fathers of Hermann. Cheryl Hoffman, Interpretive Resources Technician for the site, says there is some very interesting investigation work going on at the house. When possible, she allows visitors to view the historical renovation project.
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Historic Hermann's
Museum at the old German School Historic
Hermann's Museum at the old German School
Historic
Hermann, Inc. is a local organization devoted to preserving
Hermann's heritage for future generations. One of its main projects
is to maintain the museum in the old German School building at
Fourth and Schiller streets.
The
German School was built in 1871 and was used as an elementary
school until 1955. That year, when classes were moved to the
old high school on Washington St., the German School Board deeded
the building to Historic Hermann to establish a museum. For
50 years, the community has donated items of interest that portray
life in Hermann since its founding in 1836.
The
museum's second floor includes the Heritage Room, the Kinder Room
and the River Room. On the main floor are the Schweighauser
Room, the Legacy Room,the Els Room and a charming gift
shop.
A special
feature at the museum is the Clock Tower. It was added to the
building in 1890 and is a Hermann landmark. To keep it ticking, the
clock must be wound twice a week by a devoted group of winders. The
clock's working mechanisms can be viewed on the second floor at the
museum.
Tours of
the Museum are self-guided, but volunteers are on hand to answer
questions.
The Museum is open April through October. Hours:
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday - Tuesday, Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, Closed Wednesday. The museum is closed from November
through March, but is open when festivals are scheduled during
those months. There is a nominal fee charged to tour the
museum. Groups are welcome to schedule special tours by
calling 573-486-2389 ask for Carol.
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The Gasconade County Historical Society Archives & Record
Center 315 Schiller St, Hermann, MO 65041 Directly
across the street from the German School, at 315 Schiller St.,
stands the former Farmers & Merchants Bank built in 1909. It is
the current home of the GCHS Archives and Records Center. For those
interested in researching family histories and genealogies in
Gasconade County, this is a one-stop research
facility. A volunteer staff is
available to assist the public in using the records Tuesday through
Thursday from 9:00 to 5:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 to noon. For
information, or to make arrangements for groups,
call 573-486-4028 or send an e-mail
to gchsarc@ktis.net. |
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Hermann Fire Company
Museum
A little
known museum is located at Hermann Fire Company's station #2 on 214
East Second St, located in the Historic District. While the
firehouse is not always open, anyone who wishes to tour the museum
may contact Chief Schulte by calling 573-486-2461. Much of the
museum can be viewed through the large windows at the fire station.
But, the fire chief says that if one of the volunteer firefighters
is at the station, he will gladly let visitors tour the
museum.
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Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Starkenberg, MO In the
year 1847 the first people came to the area known as Rhineland or
Loutre Island, along the Missouri River. The area was soon to
be named "Starkenburg." The settlers were Germans from the
Hermann, Missouri area. They would have special services when
missionaries came. In this barn was a statue, which the
Germans named "Weisse dame" or "White Lady." |