News & Events
Adult Fiddle Camp 2024
Adult Fiddle Camp in Bethel, Missouri Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – Saturday, October 12, 2024 Bethel, Missouri Adult fiddle camp allows fiddlers age 18 and over to study with master fiddlers to learn new tunes, build a network of fiddler friends, and work on...
Horizons 2024
Broaden Your Horizons with Arts, Humanities and Tourism Program JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Cultural events across Missouri are taking center stage as part of the 2024 Horizons initiative created by Missouri Humanities, Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Division of Tourism....
Missouri Humanities Grant Awarded
Historic Bethel the Recipient of Missouri Humanities Grant The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $10,000 to the Historic Bethel German Colony in support of the project, "Stories of Bethel: Engaging the Next Generation to Learn and Share Our...
Our History
Membership was about 650 in 1855 when Keil, fearing Bethel too subject to outside influence, led a group west and established Aurora Colony in Oregon. Their expedition over the Oregon Trail is unique for it was conducted as a funeral cortege. Keil’s son, Willie, died before he realized his father’s promise to lead the group and was carried instead in the head wagon in a metal box, alcohol-filled. After six months and over 2000 miles, he was buried at Willapa, Washington.
Keil never returned to Bethel, directing affairs there by letter. When the colonies disbanded, 1879-1881, they held property in common valued at $109,806. Bethel supplied $64,328 of this and owned 4267 acres.
