Things to Do

Fredericksburg Insider: V.K. – How Long Has It Been?

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Tony Maples Photography

 

It is part of the City’s logo and is displayed on countless websites. You drive by it every day. The Vereins Kirche, which locals call the V.K., symbolizes everything Fredericksburg. But how long has it been since you have been inside? Visitors appreciate the interesting building, its contents, and the story it tells, but locals? Be honest – it has been years. Well, that’s too long; what you are going to find will surprise you.

Wait – a mastodon tusk? Seriously?

VK Mastodon Tusk

Photo: Robert C Deming

Yes, it is a mastodon tusk, found just north of Fredericksburg. The building is operated by the Gillespie County Historical Society as a part of the Pioneer Museum and is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. There is no admission charge, but donations are encouraged.

You always wondered what the original town looked like; here it is:

VK Model Town

Photo: Robert C Deming

Re-orient yourself with this model of what the early settlement looked like.  Refresh yourself on the early days of the town.  Find out when the Adelseverein went bankrupt. The original Vereins Kirche was built in 1847, the town’s first public building, and served as the church, the school, a fort, the community center, and the meeting hall. It was located in what is now Main Street, but the original was torn down in 1896. This replica was built in 1935.

These stone points and tools were left behind by much earlier residents than the Germans.

VK Stone Points

Photo: Robert C Deming

In the telling and re-telling of the story of the first settlers from Germany in 1845, the story of the native people is often left out. This display presents beautifully crafted stone points and tools left behind by Fredericksburg’s first residents.

Reach out to the past.

VK Tools

Photo: Robert C Deming

These tools were used to build the original building; you can almost reach out and touch the early settlers.

In a town of church bells, this was the first.

VK Bell

Photo: Robert C Deming

This bell called early residents to church and school and to respond to attacks or news.