Historic 236-year-old welcomes third-graders to German Culture Museum’s new season

Eighteen pairs of bright, inquisitive eyes opened wide at Walnut Creek’s German Culture Museum when The Father Of Amish Country, 236-year-old “Der Weiss” Jonas Stutzman welcomed them to the village’s halls of history.

The ancient one, portrayed by a great-great-great-grandson of the region’s first pioneer settler, commented on the 227-year age difference between himself and his audience as he kicked off the museum’s 2024 season with an unscheduled appearance for students in Tonya Widder’s third grade class at Walnut Creek Elementary School.

Wearing his traditional, but white, Amish “Mutza” suit, white hat and long white hair, Der Weiss (translation: The White One) explained the importance of history to the students by pointing out, “The only way to know where you are headed in life is to fully understand where you came from.”

He stressed, “Everything you see in this huge museum is part of the history of your community. Check it out, read the information signs and you’ll learn more about where we all came from.”

He called their attention to the only remaining copy of his book, to a diagram of a lethal steam boiler explosion and to display rooms outfitted with artifacts from farm, kitchen, school, church and pioneer situations.

Students were reminded although donations are welcomed to help pay museum expenses, admission is free.

The museum, located below the library and community room across from the post office, will be open noon-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through October.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: German Culture Museum in Walnut Creek opens for 2024 season