About Us

GermanFest is sponsored by the Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum.

The Shenandoah Germanic Heritage Museum is on the homestead site of original Valley settlers John Hottel and George Keller. We maintain the original homestead of over 390 acres including their home from the 1800s, the ruins of a house from the 1700s, a summer kitchen, and loom house, and other outbuildings. This is where they lived their lives and raised families for generations.

Our mission is to preserve and share how our Germanic ancestors lived using actual items from their past in an authentic original setting.

Other historic sites are nearby, including Old Keller Cemetery, Friedens Church monument, St. Matthews Lutheran Church, Mt. Hebron Church, and Baker's Store.

Our museum is owned by Hottel Keller Memorial Inc. (HKMI). You can find more details at the HKMI website.