My coffee smells so good this morning, and the birds are singing a full opera as I step out onto the patio. It’s swampy and gloomy out this morning, but the colors of the neighborhood flowers are bursting through the dawn—it seems to be a good year for roses. Southeast Missouri is beautiful in every … More My Cup is Overflowing
It has been a productive time of planning the Immigration History Conference 2020. Today we worked on plans for the featured artist and art exhibits that have traditionally been a part of the conference. I have fond memories of Kurt Mueller’s sculpture exhibit, Gary Lucy’s painting exhibit, and Ken Steinhoff’s photography exhibit. This year our … More Art & Artist in Residence
Since we are not reopening the interior of the Lutheran Heritage Center to the public until early June, I wanted to challenge the idea that we are ‘closed.’ The team that keeps this place running has been working full press (within safety protocols) on: program development, restoring lighting, installing upgraded security, installing new flooring, creating … More Closed BUT Operational, Part 2
Warren Schmidt’s blogs are a treasure for all of us. One of the many positive ripples from his writings are the relationships that sprout from the seeds he plants. I have had the honor of meeting-via telephone conversations-Lester & Annemarie Brockmann. Lester found us via the blogs, and reached out after Warren’s blog on Adolf … More A Love Note to Lester & Annemarie in Palmetto Bay
Dear Patrons, It has been an unprecedented time in the museum world. Know that we have been praying for your health. We have friends in the world who have battled or are battling this virus, and other friends who have lost family members unrelated to the virus, or have suffered other health crises during this … More We are Closed but Operational
Every once in awhile…as Gerard unlocks the museum for the day…a mystery package greets him–a box, a bag, and once, a beautiful cast iron bell. It is always fun to see what treasures someone has left for our collection. I remember in the past some historic photography. Photographs are special, especially if they are from … More Treasures Found at the Door
It has been a wonderful Christmas season at the Lutheran Heritage Center. We have hosted well more than a thousand guests this past few months; we worked hard to create an excellent exhibit; and we celebrate this New Year as a seasoned team–looking hopefully forward with faith and purpose. The last tree I would like … More Epiphany 2020
We have some incredible bells within the landscape of the Lutheran Heritage Center: the beautiful historic bell at Trinity Church, and the First Church bell, cast in Spain near the same time as our country’s Liberty Bell. I also love the carillon tones from our beloved Immanuel Church in Altenburg. We have already told their … More I Heard the Bells…
I have always loved Nativity scenes. I remember all of the Nativities from my childhood in the homes of my family. My Grandma & Grandpa Wilcox had a brightly painted papier-mache set from Ben Franklin dime-store. My Mom had an abstract acrylic set from Hallmark. My favorite piece in the sets has always been the … More The Advent of Greatness via a Humble Donkey
We are so pleased to exhibit the historic Thilenius Distributing Model AA Ford truck. We are thankful to LaDonna and the late Howard Thilenius for this accession. It has been fun to use it in our collection. Today, Santa brought the truck to Altenburg, to deliver this giant tree! A very special thanks to Meier … More Santa Claus Came to Town
