The Germanic Heritage of Frederick County

Historic Frederick County was heavily settled by individuals from the Germanic states and nearby countries. The culture of these "hard working Germans" left a strong cultural footprint on all of Maryland, especially Western Maryland. They changed the nature of farming in Frederick County and it is believed that up to World War I some form of German was still spoken in families and could be heard on the streets of Frederick. Today two different Oktoberfests are celebrated in Frederick and the City of Frederick has two German "Sister Cities". We'll learn about these early German Americans, why they settled here, and the legacy they left behind.