Saxon Lutheran Memorial

An historic farmstead and log cabin village
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 The Saxons have arrived and a community is born.

                                           It's 1839 and you have just arrived on a river steam boat
                                                             from St. Louis to a wooded region along the Mississippi
                                                                                  called Perry County that you will soon be calling home. 
 
This is what the 600+ Saxon Lutheran immigrants faced as they disembarked onto the shores in Wittenberg, MO.  They traveled here by ship from Bremen, Germany through New Orleans and up the river to St. Louis.   There they stayed for a few months until land was purchased and they could finally settle and become a community again.  The early settlements were called: Wittenberg, Dresden, Seelitz, Altenburg, Frohna, Johannesberg, and Paitzdorf (later changed to Uniontown).  This was the beginning of the East Perry County community as we know it today with Altenburg, Frohna, Uniontown, and  Wittenberg being the remaining active communities rich in church history, German culture and family heritage. 
 
The Saxons suffered many difficulties and losses, yet through persistence, determination, good community neighbors from Brazeau and above all, devout faith in God, they survived.  Not only that, they thrived.  They were a hardy bunch with a mission to be able to freely worship and teach in a way that was agreeable with their conscience.  And in this endeavor they also succeeded.
 
The Saxon Lutheran Memorial is an outdoor history museum in the setting of a log cabin village located on the homestead and farm of an early pioneer name Thomas Twyman since 1820.  In 1839 it was bought by brothers Wilhelm and Christian Bergt whose family lived here from one generation to the next for 118 years.  The SLM is an integral part of the establishment of the East Perry County community by the courageous, dedicated and devout Saxon Lutheran immigrants from Germany in 1839.  It is dedicated to their pioneering spirit, the early lifestyles of homesteading and the beginning of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod which is all displayed throughout the various exhibits in our museum and log cabins on the property.
 
You are welcome to make arragements to schedule a tour for your family, organization, church or school by
contacting the curator, Lynda Lorenz at the information listed below. 
Tour buses and large groups are welcome, please schedule in advance.
 
Saxon Lutheran Memorial
Lynda Lorenz, Curator
296 Saxon Memorial Drive
Frohna, MO 63748
 
573-824-5404
  

 


The property where the Saxon Lutheran Memorial is located was originally owned by a frontiersman named, Thomas Twyman from North Caorlina in 1820.  He built a log cabin, two slave cabins and a barn, which are all still on the property and available for viewing while on the tour. 
 
The slave cabin pictured on the right, is set up as a display cabin depicting how the interior of a cabin may have appeared at the time Mr. Twyman's slaves lived in them during the 1820's.  
 
In 1839, the property was purchased by two brothers, Adolph and Wilhelm Bergt.  They were members of the Saxon Lutheran immigration that arrived from Germany and settled in Frohna, MO.  They built a second cabin in 1840-41 which is attached to the 1820's cabin.  Later they built on to the original log barn by adding a larger frame  structure around it.  The Bergt family lived here for many generations; a total of 117 continuous years.  After Miss Lina Bergt's death in 1956, the last Bergt family member to live on the property,  a local farmer bought the farmstead for the purpose of working the fields. 
 
It was nothing short of a miracle that God led Dr. Kramer, a distant relative of the Bergt's, to inquire about purchasing the property and literally save it from destruction.  So in 1961 the Concordia Historical Institute of St. Louis; the archival arm of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, had raised enough funds to make the purchase.  After many trips from St. Louis to Frohna, brown-bag lunches and days of intense labor their dream was realized by opening the buildings to the public in 1964.  The purpose and mission of CHI, along with the SLM Council, is to preserve & restore the buildings and site so that it will always be available to the public & LCMS church-at-large as an historic site; a memorial to the Saxon Lutheran immigration.  Specifically, the Bergt family, whose homestead is the last remaining complete farmstead complex from that era.  
 
I invite you to come visit this amazing site, where you can learn something new by seeing something old.
 
 
Saxon Lutheran Memorial             Hours of operation:
Lynda Lorenz, Curator                        March 1 - December 23
573-824-5404                                                Monday - closed
296 Saxon Memorial Drive                        Tuesday - Saturday  9am - 5pm
Frohna, MO 63748                                        Sunday 1pm - 4pm
slmlynda@att.net                                          Closed on most holidays
 

A Pictorial Pre-View of the site. 

Stroll through the sweet sights of Summer!

 

                                                              

   Pimitive camping in the park, is a great                                 Hear the crunch, taste the sweet flavors of a freshly                            Nothing says summer like the bursts of lots of 

   summer and fall passtime.  The Boy                                        dug carrot from the  backyard garden.                                                    color across the fields to brighten your day.

    Scouts love it!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

The perfect sign of summer is to see clothes                       Everything takes on a new shade of bright crisp                              The chickens are all too glad to be out in the

hanging on the line to dry. Endless sunshine.                    summer green after a much needed rain shower.                            yard hunting and pecking for all the little treats.

          

  Let the pictures speak for themselves.  Anytime

you want  to take a peek through the eye of your camera,

please come by, the beauty is there to behold and to be taken. 

God is an awesome artist and provider.

 

 

 
At the end of a quiet gravel road, in the heart of the country, atop rolling pasture hills and wooded land, you will surely find rest and relaxation.  When you travel to the Saxon Lutheran Memorial you will find all of that and more.  You will also find interesting rich history, possibly familiar surroundings and personal connections, family traditons and a heritage deeply rooted in 
German culture mixed with devout religious Lutheran beliefs. 
 
When making a visit, whether you are just passing through or have called ahead to schedule a tour, you can be assured of an experience you won' t soon forget no matter how long or short of time you have time to spend.  There are many picturesque opportunities,  beautiful natural surroundings and always an interesting story or two.  All of this is freely available, however, since we are a non-profit organization, you are encouraged to consider leaving a free-will offering to help continue the preservation and upkeep of this important historic site.
 
Our site offers a variety of useful opportunities.  We have space enough to accomodate medium sized groups (50-100)very comfortably under the pavillion at the Visitor's Center. 
Are you planning a family get-together, an anniversary, or a birthday party?  We have space to accomodate your group.  Do you belong to an organization that is looking for a place to meet? 
 We can put you  on our calendar once you have called ahead to schedule.
    
 
 COMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
 
We are open for the 2010 season!
Load up the car and come on over to give the site a breath of new life  to the
SLM for it's 2010 season. 
Weather-permitting, bring a picnic, pack your camera, invite some friends
 and come on over because  we are ready to welcome our visitors once again.  
Visitor's hours are:
Tuesday - Saturday; 9am - 5pm
Sunday; 1pm - 4pm
Monday - closed
 
Please call ahead if you are coming with a big group or bus tour so we can be 
better prepared to arrange a  tour for your group.  We are able to accomodate
charter buses and welcome the tour companies.
 
Wednesday, Sept. 1st, 2010
East Perry County Cultural Alliance Meeting
at the SLM Visitor's Center
Frohna, MO      7pm
Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting.  Come visit with the newly elected board members and lend your support and ideas on how we can work together to encourage tourism in East Perry County! 
 
Saturday, Sept. 4th, 2010
Community Baking Day
 Baking starts at 9am - approx. 3pm
According to the weatherman, the first of September is the meterological beginning of fall, so bring your favorite flavors and aromas of fall to bake in on 9/4.  What foods makes it feel more like fall?  Snacks for watching Football and tailgate parties, cinnamon and spice, roast and potatoes, a big pot of soup?  So many things to try, gather your friends and family and then you can try them all.
  Things you can bake in the brick oven:
muffins, bread, pie, cobbler, cake, granola, casseroles, meats, rolls, pizza, etc.
 
Fri-Mon, Sept. 3 - 6th, 2010
61 Mile Long Yard Sale
Bloomsdale, MO - Jackson, MO
Please drive careful while looking for your bargains - and they are out there - watch for shoppers crossing the road and people pulling on and off the highway.  It can be very profitable and fun.
 
Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
Farm Fantastic!  A Culinary Experience
Hosted by the MRHA
(Mississippi River Hills Association)
At the MONatural Ranch, Ste. Genevieve, MO
Kevin Hinkebien's Elk Ranch
It is a casual dressed affair that allows you to walk across the field to reach your dining destination.  The menu is determined by the freshest of meats, artisan cheeses, local wines, and seasonable vegetables all gathered from within the region and prepared for you by a local chef.
Call Lisa Palmer for more information and to make your reservation today!
573-883-0767
 
Saturday, Sept. 18th, 2010
Apple Butter Cooking Day
start 5am - throughout the day
Behind Concordia Lutheran School, Frohna, MO
Food will be provided; you are welcome to bring a favorite dish to share.
This is the pre-cooking of apple butter for the Fall Festival.  Eight kettles will be cooked down throughout the day.  We need people to help stir, jar, and clean up - usually done by 4pm
Many hands makes work light and more fun!! 
 
Also that day the SLM Museum will be closed due to a private event.
Dustin Martin & Ashley Riney wedding.
 
Friday & Saturday, Sept. 24-25, 2010
The Best Little Fair in the Land
East Perry County Fair, Altenburg, MO
You just have to go, especially if you've never been.  It's fun, it's a holiday, it's old fashioned, it's family friendly, it's a family reunion, it's delicious, it's entertaining, and ITS FREE!  There are animal exhibits and shows, 4-H exhibits, agricultural displays, photography at it's best, vendor booths with free hand-outs, carnival rides, great local and evening music, horse show, a big long parade, attendance prizes, grilled cheese sandwiches and fried fish and a MULE JUMPING CONTEST - only at EPC Fair!! 
Parade on Friday at 1:30 (get in early before the streets close)
See you at the Fair - stop by the EPCCA stand!
 
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
SLM 30th Annual Fall Festival
9am - 4pm
There is a new entrance - watch for signs
Once you are here, you take a step back in time to the 1800's.  There are 35 demonstrations of skills & tasks from the 1800s, over 50 crafters featuring their handmade artisan items, musical entertainment throughout the day and food, food, food to the delight and nourishment of everone.  Since this is the 30th anniversary, there will be lots of special activities, displays and entertainment. 
 And don't forget to  enter the costume contest.
See more on the Fall Festival tab.
 
 
Thursday - Saturday, Oct. 28-30, 2010
International Immigration Conference
Lutheran Heritage Museum and Center
Altenburg, MO
573-824-6070
 
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Live Nativity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 
SLM Work Days
The council sets a couple of days a month to work on projects, repairs, and ongoing
enhancements to the site.  You are invited to join us each time or as time allows. 
 The day usually begins around 8am and goes until about 2pm -  lunch is always provided. 
Here are the upcoming scheduled days: 
TBA
 
 

WE  LOVE  OUR  VOLUNTEERS 

 

They are worth a million Blessings to us!!

 

The Saxon Memorial operates on volunteer services that come from the heart. 

This 30-acre site is a labor of love.   Whatever area(s) of special interest or expertise

you have, we ask if you would be willing to share your knowlege and willing spirit. 

All the maintenance, repairs and new additions are made possible by people,

like you, that want to make a productive contribution

to keeping history alive, interesting and available for visitors to our area.

 

Here are some areas that may be of interest to you.

We are working on these projects now:

 

Re-chinking the Schuppan single room cabin.

Laying a rock sidewalk in Curator's yard - done before Fall Festival 

Cleaning all the buildings - week before Fall Festival

Mowing and trimming

Flower beds cleaned out - week before Fall Festival

Cutting/stripping/pressing sorghum

Set up the grounds before the Fall Festival

Moving inventory from old gift shop to the new gift shop

Answer phones and light office work - week before Fall Festival

 

At the Festival:

Greeters, Parking Team, Clothes washing demonstration, Registration booth,

grounds keeping & hospitality, Churn butter, make picket fence, Bale maze 

       

If any of these areas seem like a project that you or a group you belong to

would like to adopt, please contact the curator.  

 

 Any of the tasks would be a great way to earn volunteer

hours for youth groups or school requirements or it might

just be the outlet you are looking for to unwind.

 

Call  Lynda  at  573-824-5404 or  email,  slmlynda@att.net