Missouri’s rich German ancestry will be presented on October 20 & 21 at the 31st annual Deutsch Country Days – probably the finest and most authentic living history in the Midwest.
The educational, family-fun experience is held on historic Luxenhaus Farm, 18055 State Highway O, three miles northeast of Marthasville, Missouri (one hour west of St. Louis) from 9am to 5pm on both days.
In those 31 years Deutsch Country Days has progressed from a benefit house tour on a cold Saturday in January to one of the most unique and authentic recreations of early German life in Missouri. The beauty of the fall foliage and the cool autumn weather persuaded the date change to the third weekend in October. Now the hills outside of Marthasville literally come alive with the sights and sounds of the 1800s.
The early German immigrant's functional lifestyle is authentically recreated as juried artisans, in period attire, demonstrate natural dyeing, spinning/weaving, sad ironing, Kloppolei, wood turning, hide tanning, candle dipping, and rug braiding – just a handful of the 80 primitive skills exhibiting the early German life and trades. Period music, whistling steam, wood smoke and the sweet fragrance of cooking sorghum fill the crisp, autumn breeze.
While watching elite craftspeople, you can savor German home cooking and try your hand at stuffing sausage. A dated antique sorghum press driven by Missouri mules and a steam-powered sawmill complete the historic walk into Missouri's German yesteryear at historic Luxenhaus Farm – 2.5 miles northeast of Marthasville on Highway O.
Click on Deutsch Country Days or www.visitmo.com/deutsch-country-days.aspx for details.
For more information about top events in Missouri take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Missouri.