Meet Bill Bock and others in the German-American community in Perry County, Missouri. The area was settled in 1839 by a group of Germans from Saxony, seeking religious freedom. The community they created at that time, continued to speak German as their native language until the 1950’s.

Bill and a few others are the last generation to have learned German as a first language at home. Once this generation has passed away, the last people of the local community who speak fluent German will be gone.

They preserve their cultural heritage through museums and a vibrant Fall Festival where you can sample the characteristic foods and see demonstrations.