This photo shows the McIntosh County Heritage Center in North Dakota, marked by a large roadside sign that reads “McIntosh County Heritage Center – Preserving history of our county, our state and its people.” Behind the sign stands the museum building, constructed with stone walls and a low, peaked roof. The well-kept green lawn and simple, sturdy design reflect the center’s role as both a historical archive and community hub dedicated to preserving and sharing local heritage.

The McIntosh Heritage Center was established in 1978 and is located in the heart of North Dakota’s German Russian country. In fact, German names are more prevalent in McIntosh County than in any other county in North Dakota. The Heritage Center aims to preserve the history of McIntosh County and its people so current and future generations can learn about their ancestors’ way of life--which was not always easy.

As you spend time visiting the various exhibits, you’ll recognize that Germans from Russia are people who value hard work and take great pride in their accomplishments. They raised their families by the old proverb, “Arbeit macht das Leben Seuss,” (are-bite mockt dahs lay-bin seize) meaning “Work makes life sweet.”

Venture inside, and just past the entrance, you can see a modest round, wooden table from the 1880s that a man named Nicklaus Kautt brought from Tappen, North Dakota, to his homestead. Nicklaus carried the table on his shoulders the entire way. The journey was five miles long. Later, the table was used in the Home Hotel in Ashley, North Dakota. Now, the table is set with antique Bibles written in English and German as well as dinnerware from local families.

Faith and food were both of great importance to Germans from Russia. Today, many Germans from Russia feel that preserving the ways of preparing, cooking, and storing food is very important, because in the case of their ancestors, food was not only hard to come by, but a labor of love.

When you look at the McIntosh County Heritage Center, you can see elements of German-Russian design. Memorabilia from the communities of Lehr, Wishek, Venturia, Zeeland, and Danzig are proudly displayed on the table. If you’re from the area, you may recognize some of the names of families who donated artifacts. You may even be related to them!

Additional buildings located on the site include an early, rural Lutheran Church commonly known as the Biederstedt Church, a sod house, an outdoor baking oven, a band stand, a small vintage business building from Ashley, a charming one-room schoolhouse from Wishek, and a machinery storage building. A depot and Soo line caboose were also moved from the west side of Ashley and Paul’s Barber Shop and Jewelry, which was moved from Lehr.

After you’ve admired all the rich history at the McIntosh County Heritage Center, including the bust of Wilhelmina Geiszler, heroine of the prairie and “Martyr Mother of the German Russians,” you can visit the pioneer memorial in the McIntosh County Courthouse square to hear her story. You can also step inside the courthouse and see elegant murals depicting life on the prairie.