Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, Frederick, Maryland

About one hour north of our nation’s capital, in Frederick, Maryland, stands one of the few authentic German-American artifacts on the east coast. The 1756 stone manor house known as the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum represents one of the finest remaining examples of German colonial architecture in America.

The oldest house in Frederick holds the story of a German family who brought their country’s traditions with them when they immigrated to Philadelphia in 1729. By 1744 Joseph Brunner had purchased 303 acres in Maryland for a mere 10 pounds and with the help of his son, built what is now a priceless landmark. The house, constructed using German techniques and materials, was named the Schifferstadt after their family home near Mannheim, Germany.

Today, the Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, Inc., has preserved the monument and celebrates its German heritage with annual festivals and events. Open-hearth cooking of authentic foods honors the most distinguished artifact of the house: a beautifully preserved five-plate iron stove dated 1756 sits proudly in its original location. A message inscribed above it in German meaning, “where your treasure is, there is your heart,” creates a personal link to the hearts of the family that were warmed by its fire.

The two-and-a-half foot thick sandstone walls, familiar to Germans, made it easier to survive the winter months. A vaulted cellar for provisions, a kitchen fireplace hearth large enough to stand in, and a convenient dry sink—a large stone basin placed in a windowsill used to discard water from indoors—are all examples of the protective winter construction. The roof’s kick-up, the vaulted chimneys, and exposed half-timbering are also important in studying not simply Pennsylvania culture in Maryland but the general mix of northern American construction with German authenticity.

In the spring and summer beautiful gardens surrounding the house bloom with the herbs and vegetables that the Brunner family once grew. Through community volunteer efforts the garden design by historian Lee Stoltzfus, thrives with rose bushes more than 100 years old. Private tours of the 18th-century garden are available, and all are welcome to the Schifferstadt Garden and Hospitality Center.

Tours of the house are also available, and people from miles around come to annual special events at the Museum. Costumed actors entertain their guests from afar with music and dancing, and get families involved in German holiday traditions such as Scherenschnitte, or paper-cutting. At Christmastime these three-dimensional paper-snowflakes are put on a tree that hangs up-side-down from the ceiling meant to keep mice from eating candy adorning it. The Museum’s Oktoberfest celebration brings more than 10,000 visitors to the site that is lined with tents offering all types of German cuisine and crafts.

The Schifferstadt Architectural Museum features a Frühlings-Fest the first weekend in April, Oktoberfest the third weekend in October, and a Christmas Craft show the fourth weekend in November. It closes each year from December 15 to March 31. The Museum can be reached at 1110 Rosemont Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701; Tel.: (301) 663–3885.

—Kristin Knott