Contrary to popular belief, there's more to Hermann than really good wine. The town is a showcase of German immigrant heritage, and a new historic attraction aims to bring that to life in a fresh way.
Hermann Farm, a "living history farm" sprawled over 200 acres of Hermann's rolling green hills, opened May 21. The farm and its 14 mini-museums showcase the practices of German settlers around the 1850s.
While in Hermann...
More information at visithermann.com.Mary and Jim Dierberg bought the land for the farm about 10 years ago, but the couple is no stranger to developing attractions in Hermann. The Dierbergs opened Hermannhof Winery and also have restored many other historic buildings around town. Hermann Farm is one more way the couple is working to preserve the town's rich heritage.
Visitors to the farm board a tram at the Mercantile on First Street, which takes them on a two-hour ride through the extensive grounds. Costumed interpreters act as tour guides for the stops along the way. Each building on the grounds, some of which were relocated there, has been carefully restored to look true to the Civil War era.
One of the first stops on the tour is Schuetzenhalle, a small museum devoted to the Hermann Sharpshooters Society. The display includes period guns and authentic German targets hang on the wall.
Nearby is a four-square flower and vegetable garden, a traditional German and Dutch gardening practice that separates the plants into - as the name suggests - four different enclosures. Everything grown there would have been grown in a typical 1850s Hermann garden, Treis said.
Perhaps the most-beloved part of the tour is a visit to the farm's eight Shire draft horses. Standing almost 19 hands, or about 6 feet 4 inches tall - larger than Clydesdales - the black-and-white horses are an imposing but friendly bunch.
"We figured from the beginning the draft horses would be the stars of the show," Treis said.
Shire draft horses are a critically endangered breed, and the Dierbergs bought them for the farm to breed and protect. The farm has five mares and three foals and counting; one mare is expecting.
Visitors can get off the tram to see the horses up close and even pet them, as farm manager Darryl Coates keeps them well trained and docile despite their size.
The farm is also home to chickens and two Missouri mules named Pat and Jane. The white, nearly identical pair is well-known around town.
"They've been in so many Hermann parades," Treis said. "They're kind of iconic, actually."
Step inside Husmann House to experience life in a 19th-century mansion. Named for a previous owner of the farm, the home is complete with period black walnut furnishings. And don't forget to take in the view - the mansion sits atop a hill overlooking the Missouri River.
"From that hilltop, you can see four counties," Treis said - Gasconade, Franklin, Warren and Montgomery.
The master distiller's house, located on the original 1850s homestead property, will soon be in business living up to its name by housing whiskey, brandy and gin making, Treis said - hopefully within a year or so. Farm workers plan to grow the necessary crops, such as wheat, corn and rye, on the land next to the distillery, and visitors (of age) will be able to take a break to sample some home-grown liquor. The alcohol will also be available for purchase.
As the tour ends back at the Mercantile, visitors can take a minute to peruse its selection of locally made goods.
"You can buy anything from fudge to stained glass from Missouri artists," Treis said.
In the not-too-distant future, farm staff would like to begin teaching classes on everything from beekeeping to jelly-making to quilting. On Sept. 17, the farm will host a field day as part of the Hermann Heritage Days Festival, which will include special demonstrations of crafts such as blacksmithing. All-woman string band Simply Strings will provide music using only old-time instruments such as dulcimers.
Admission to Hermann Farm is $18 for adults and $9 for children 15 and under. The farm is open 12:30-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday as well as Sunday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 573-486-3276 or visit the Hermann Farm Facebook page.