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In and Around the Museum

As we continue to observe the 100th anniversary of the U.S. entry into World War I, we are also sharing with you a few stories about Texas Wends who were called to serve in the “Great War.” Previously, you read about Herman Hobratsch (Hermann Hobratschk) and his war...

Bettie Bendewald & Sadie Claxton

Executive Director’s Corner

What a blessing to have so many volunteers in this past quarter who helped with our garden and the many, many important chores for Wendish Fest! We send a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who assisted in any way! In addition, there are folks who were...

President’s Message

Witaj! (Hello!) from the Wendish Museum! As we slide headlong into the cooler fall weather, and with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays just around the corner, I give thanks for each and every one of our members and supporters. The Texas Wendish Heritage Society and Museum would not...

L-R Florence Krause Wright and Magdalene Krause Harris

In and Around the Museum

We recently announced plans for a special display honoring the Texas Wends who served in World War I. It was no small feat, but the display was completed in time for Wendish Fest. Included with the items on display are a uniform, helmet and gas mask that belonged...

Update on the Jan Kilian Room Project

We recently posted a letter from Pastor Benjamin Rehr and the congregation at Weigersdorf, Germany describing a project they were undertaking. With help from the congregation at Klitten, a room of the Weigersdorf parsonage was being transformed into the Jan Kilian Room – a climate-controlled space to house...

Dr. Ernst Kiesling – Father of the Safe Room

In 1854, 67-year-old Johann Kiesling decided to leave his home and head for Texas on the Ben Nevis with about 600 others to make a new home and start a new life. Johann brought with him his wife Hanna, age 57, and their three children: Johann, age 22;...

Wendish Culture Being Reinvented in Serbin

Few could have imagined that the small Wendish Culture Club chartered by five women in the early 1970s would blossom into today’s Texas Wendish Heritage Society and one of the most important Wendish gatherings outside of Germany. It’s a long way from Budyšin to Serbin, and it’s a...

Attention all Wendish Cooks!

If you or someone in your family has ever made a casserole, soup, stew, or other type of dish that incorporates Wendish noodles, we want to hear about it! TWHS is gathering recipes for a Texas Wendish Noodle Recipes Cookbook. The cookbook, which will also include our traditional...

Bonnets Display

Bonnets!

When I started making bonnets over five years ago, I would draft a pattern for each of the bonnets in our Museum collection or of the bonnets loaned to me for our exhibit. I would then sew the bonnet and model it for my family. My husband, Chuck,...

World War I Display

In our last issue, we announced plans to prepare a special display of items and photos in our collection that are related to World War I as a way to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the formal U.S. entry into the war. We also put out a call...