We were so pleased to hear that Gov. Nixon signed the German Heritage Corridor into law on July 1, 2016. Congratulations to the Missouri Humanities Council!
“The Missouri Humanities Council is implementing a heritage tourism initiative highlighting 
Missouri’s German culture and history along the Missouri River. Beginning in the 1830s, thousands of German immigrants moved to Missouri in several large groups. They were inspired in part by a favorable report of the area by Gottfried Duden of Warren County, and by the resemblance of the Missouri
River Valley to the Rhineland. By 1860, Germans comprised more than half of Missouri’s foreign-born residents. They brought their distinctive German culture with them, including wine and beer making, agriculture, festivals, language, religion, customs, and architecture, leaving an indelible imprint on Missouri and the nation.
While pockets of German settlement developed throughout Missouri, the majority of immigrants settled along the Missouri River. Thus the German Heritage Corridor will focus on 16 counties north and south of the Missouri River, from St. Charles and St. Louis, to Chariton and Saline. Along this corridor, distinctly German communities grew up and still exist today, including New Melle, Hermann, Dutzow, and Westphalia, to name only a few. This project will connect these communities along scenic byways, showcasing their specific German heritage and creating a corridor designed to increase tourism in the region.
We urge you to contact them today and share your story! Missouri Humanities Council
Missouri Germans Consortium 
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