The museum is in the historic Bush House, 198 S. Wilson St. This year, a pair of visiting Berliners will add authenticity to the event.
More about history and culture than quaffing a 1-litre “masskrug” of foamy beer, the museum’s observance — for its October Second Saturday opening — features displays of various beer drinking vessels inside the almost century-old Bush House, re-monikered “Das Busch Haus” for the day. Outside, colorful flags of German länder — federal states — festoon the house.
Other temporary displays look at various aspects of German and Bavarian culture, such as models of German castles and artifacts from German history, including its dark Third Reich and East German days. These exhibits will be up through October.
Free samples of traditional German cuisine will be available, such as brezen (pretzels), Lebkuchen (spice cookies), and Spezi (a popular soft drink that is half cola, half orange soda) will be available in the kitchen. Donations are welcome.
Visitors are encouraged to dress for Oktoberfest as they visit the museum, sample the cuisine, listen to German music, and greet Berliners Tillman Fischer and his son, Jonah, who are visiting Crestview friends for two weeks. Feel free to ask the Fischers questions about German history and culture.
Editor’s note: Brian Hughes is the cultural services specialist for the city of Crestview.