The Willkommen Committee recently welcomed Kiesling House as a new member of the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce!  The Kiesling House was constructed in 1861 and is the only wood-framed house in New Ulm left from the era, having survived the Dakota Conflict in 1862. The house remains in the same location that it was originally built on (it was built for just $125!). Kathleen Backer, director, has always had a passion for history, having worked with the Brown County Historical Society and leading Heritage Fest, she made turning the Kiesling House into a historical attraction her new hobby!

The house was with the Kiesling Family for 109 years but the city of New Ulm purchased it in 1970. Kathleen is working to make it an educational experience. She is planning to have school tours there next year. Visitors can view the different exhibits and learn about what life was like for early immigrants, and the social and political issues of that time. The Kiesling House attracts many out of town visitors, most from the Twin Cities area. Kathleen said they’ve even had 3 different families come in that believe to be related to the Kiesling Family! In the coming years, they hope to make remodels so the house can become as historically accurate as possible. 

The Kiesling House is open Memorial Day to Labor Day: Sat-Sun 1-4pm for group tours, spring, summer & fall and other times during special events in New Ulm. The tours and meet and greets are ran by wonderful volunteers. It is located at 220 North Minnesota. Admission is $3, children 5 and under are free! For more information you can visit their website or like them on Facebook! If you have any questions you can contact them at 507-351-2636 or klbacker@comcast.net. 

Add the Kiesling house to your trip agenda to dig deeper into New Ulm’s rich history! 

In the photo are: Beth Nelson, Beth Nelson Insurance Agency; Kathleen Backer, Kiesling House; Jan DeLeo, Sid’s Signs on Broadway; Sandy Scheibel, Kemske; Audra Shaneman, President & CEO, New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce.