I enjoyed working this fine Sunday afternoon at the Lutheran Heritage Center. Upon arriving I walked around, and after 16 years as the director here, I am still amazed at the new things I notice—even in exhibits I’ve created myself. As a historian in material culture, I am naturally fascinated by objects, documents, art, and … More Symbols of Our Stories
Time to stop and count blessings again today. It’s only Wednesday and we have 1/2 of a floor on the new wing of the Lutheran Heritage Center, we had another awesome Bible Study on our journey with the Psalms, and progress in the archives is becoming measurable (what a relief.) In the lower level archives, … More Hungry for Autumn Color and a “Warren” of School Kids!
I wish to stop and share my day at the Lutheran Heritage Center with you. It started with our Wednesday morning Summer Bible Study of the Psalms. Each of the sessions has been great. You can watch them on our Facebook page. Today was Psalm 77. I’m a historian, but not a Bible scholar, so … More The Treasures in a Day
I hope you will plan a visit to the Lutheran Heritage Center in the coming days. We will reopen June 11, at 10:00 a.m. and will resume our normal hours with COVID-19 protocols. You will be briefed on the protocols upon arrival. We are eager to show you the remodeling updates to the lobby, lighting, … More Reopening Updates
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
