The name Francis Daniel Pastorius probably didn’t come up in your American History classes, and he’s probably no more than a footnote in most German history classes… but Pastorius plays a major role in early American history, in German-American immigration history, and even has a role in the Abolitionist Movement. So who was he? A polymath, lawyer, writer, teacher, a…
Category: Celebrating German Culture in America
A Visit to the Heurich House Museum in Washington DC
In the early 1940’s, German-American Brewer, Christian Heurich, owned more land and employed more people in Washington DC than any entity other than the Federal Government. An amazing accomplishment for a man who came to the United States from the small village of Haina in the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen in 1866 with only $200 in his pocket. His mansion, now…
Honey and Dried Fruit Cake Recipe- Honigkuchen mit Trockenobst
When I was growing up, baskets or plates of dried fruit would appear in our house at the beginning of the holidays. They still do. This Honey and Dried Fruit Cake Honigkuchen mit Trockenobst is a great way to use them. This is not your average Kaffeeklatsch cake. The recipe feels very old-fashioned since you load it up with honey,…
A Headless Hessian in Sleepy Hollow
Cover Image- The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane by John Quidor (public domain) In some form or another, most of us have heard the Washington Irving short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This terrifying tale is known as America’s first Ghost Story. If you haven’t read the tale of a headless horseman who pursues poor Ichabod Crane on a…
Top Oktoberfest Songs You WILL Hear at German Festivals
Music is almost as important to Oktoberfest as Beer. (I said ALMOST). So if you are headed to an Oktoberfest… or you are hosting your own Oktoberfest Party… you can be certain that music, singing and even dancing will be involved. But what sort of music will you hear? These are the TOP Oktoberfest Songs that you will most likely…
Who are the Volga Germans? Holding their Tradition across 3 Countries
My introduction to the Volga Germans came through food—specifically, Kuchen. One of my readers contacted me looking for a recipe for Kuchen, like the one her Volga German grandmother made. In my experience, Kuchen is cake, and there are thousands of cake recipes. I love German food history, so it was time to do some digging, starting with who ARE…
Where to Buy a Dirndl for German Festivals and Oktoberfests
All Summer and Fall you’ll find German Festivals and Oktoberfests popping up across the United States… and for you lucky travelers… there are plenty of Festivals and Events happening IN Germany! Sure, you can show up in shorts and a t-shirt, but why not get into the spirit of the festival, and wear a Dirndl?! This iconic Bavarian dress…
Burning Beethoven: The Eradication of German Culture in the United States during World War I
I get messages all the time from people lamenting the lack of German shops and Restaurants… worries from readers because the German clubs are getting fewer… sadness from people wondering why German isn’t being taught in their schools. Regret that they never learned the language from parents or Grandparents… that it was even “forbidden” in the home. I understand it’s…
German License Plate Stickers and Magnets
Add some fun to your car, laptop, refrigerator, or door with these German License Plate Stickers and Magnets! They also make a great gift for German family and friends. The high quality weatherproof stickers will last outside without fading for years. The stickers measure just over 10.5 inches by 2 inches (it is smaller than a standard German License Plate) Worried…