Schifferstadt

Schifferstadt is a colonial stone house with walls about 2 feet (60 centimeters) thick and four fireplaces connected through a central chimney. Its interior features an efficient narrow staircase leading to the second floor and demonstrates careful space planning from that era.

German immigrant Josef Brunner acquired land here in 1736, and his son Elias built this house in 1758, naming it after their hometown in Germany. The structure survived over two centuries and was later preserved as a museum for the public.

The house reflects German immigrant traditions visible in its cast iron stoves and barrel-vaulted cellar. These features show how German settlers adapted their familiar building practices to their new home.

The museum is accessible through guided tours and is typically open on weekends when visitors can explore the interior in small groups. It is recommended to plan your visit ahead and come during special events, as the house offers different programs throughout the year.

The house contains an original five-plate stove from 1758, a rare example of German heating technology from that era. A traditional garden on the grounds displays the growing methods used by colonists centuries ago.