Aurora Colony Museum Newsletter

Aurora Colony Historical Society Newsletter

In this issue:

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Celebrating New Connections with the Old World

In this special edition of the Museum News, we take a deep dive into our newly formed sister-city relationship with Bleicherode Germany, the birthplace of Dr. William Keil, the leader of the Aurora Colony.

Sister Cities: Aurora & Bleicherode

What began as a personal genealogy journey has blossomed into an international friendship. In August 2022, longtime Aurora Colony member Donald Kunz visited Bleicherode, Germany—the birthplace of his great, great, great great uncle, Dr. William Keil (German name: Heinrich Wilhelm Kiel), founder and leader of the Christian communal societies in Bethel, Missouri, and Aurora, Oregon.

The town welcomed Kunz warmly, arranging special tours, providing an interpreter, and hosting a meeting with Mayor Frank Rostek. During this visit, Kunz proposed the idea of a sister-city relationship with Aurora. Mayor Rostek was enthusiastic and asked Kunz to explore this further. During 2023, Mayor Asher of Aurora approved a proclamation, it was professionally translated into German, resulting in Mayor Rostek’s council approving its own proclamation, and Kunz again had it professionally translated into English. Sister Cities International formally certified the relationship on February 5, 2024.

Bleicherode Library

What’s In a Name?

Dr. Keil, as he is known today in Oregon, was born Heinrich Wilhelm Kiel.  While we pronounce his last name as Kile, his surname is more correctly pronounced Keel with the German spelling.  At the time Keil arrived at the Port of New York on May 19 1836 with his wife. it was common for immigrant names to be Anglicized to better blend into American society. Whether by choice or through misinterpretation, Kiel became Keil—a subtle shift that reflects a broader story of adaptation and identity in a new land.

honoring Aurora’s Founder in His Hometown

While in Bleicherode, Kunz also proposed installing a commemorative plaque honoring Dr. Keil. This greatly interested Mayor Rostek, and he immediately arranged a meeting at the home of Peter Genssler, an established artist in Bleicherode. Fortunately, the interpreter, a schoolteacher, was available the entire day for Kunz as the English language is not commonly understood in Bleicherode.  This meeting was the starting point for the creation of a magnificent plaque featuring a relief sculpture of Dr. Keil’s face, commissioned by Kunz. 

Working with his professional German genealogist and the records of the protestant church of St. Marien, Bleicherode where Wilhelm Kiel was baptized, the wording for the plaque was created in both German and English over several months with consultation with ACHS President and Colony descendant, Diane Kocher Downs.  Christoph Maletz, Parish Council Chairman and minister, was instrumental for interacting with the local stonemason selected for the casting of the plaque. 

Dedication of the Heinrich Wilhelm Kiel plaque in Bleicherode, Germany.


Kunz returned to Bleicherode for the dedication of the plaque on July 19, 2024.  The dedication of the plaque was a significant town celebration with a band providing music, unexpectedly reminiscent of the Aurora Colony band.  For this special occasion the Aurora Colony Historical Society sent a gift of thanks to the city of Bleicherode. After much consideration, a quilt was chosen as the gift, and the Aurora Colony Hand Quilters artfully created a one-of-a-kind piece to mark the occasion. The plaque now stands in the front of an historic building that once housed the town’s museum and looks directly across to the church.   Signage also marks Kiel’s nearby birthplace—though the original home, where his father once worked as a master linen weaver, no longer stands.

Presented in honor of the commemoration of the birthplace of Heinrich Wilhelm Keil and the relationship between Aurora, Oregon, USA, and Bleicherode, Germany.

A Gift of Friendship in Fabric: Honoring a Quilting Legacy

To commemorate this historic connection, the Aurora Colony Historical Society and Aurora Colony Hand Quilters presented a handcrafted quilt to the people of Bleicherode. Barbara Kerkmann provided special assistance to ACHS, volunteering her German language expertise to translate the quilt label and information sheet.

Presented in honor of the commemoration of the birthplace of Heinrich Wilhelm Keil and the relationship between Aurora, Oregon, USA, and Bleicherode, Germany July 2024

The quilt’s center block, designed by Toni Alford, depicts the Aurora Colony Ox Barn under a starry sky with a quilt hung proudly out front. This design originated from the 2023 Quilt Block Contest for the 52nd Annual Quilt Show, Stars Over Aurora. Surrounding blocks in the “Fields and Furrows” pattern, a variation of the Log Cabin quilt design, represent the agricultural heritage of the Colony. Each red center square symbolizes the fire in the hearth, while diagonal lines evoke tilled fields and furrows. The quilt was entirely hand-pieced and quilted by the Aurora Colony Hand Quilters—continuing the legacy of skilled craftsmanship passed down through generations.

Bleicherode Delegation Visiting Aurora

Aurora is honored to host the following delegation from Bleicherode who will arrive on the evening of August 7 and depart in the morning of August 11 for a short visit to Seattle.

  • Mayor Frank Rostek and his wife, Jana
    Mayor Rostek served as mayor of Bleicherode from 2006-2024 when he was promoted to mayor of the entire rural community and will remain in that role until June 4, 2025.

  • Mayor Robert Henning
    Mayor Henning was elected mayor of Bleicherode in 2024.

  • Dr. Christoph Maletz, Chairman of the Parish Council and minister of the church community

  • Dr. Eric Janssens, citizen of Bleicherode and his wife, Heike Janssens.

 Delegation Highlights

During their time in Aurora, the delegation will:

  • Tour the Old Aurora Colony Museum and Will Family Preservation & Research Center

  • Visit the historic Frederick Kiel home

  • Enjoy lunch and a tour at the Stauffer-Will Farm

  • Participate in the Colony Days parade and the unveiling of the Sister City plaque

  • Be honored during a community concert in the city park

  • Exchange gifts during a farewell breakfast

From shared meals to shared stories, this visit celebrates the friendship between Aurora and Bleicherode and honors a legacy nearly 200 years in the making.

Researching Your German Roots

This summer, the Genealogical Forum of Oregon, in partnership with the German American Society of Portland, will present two seminar series exploring German heritage and genealogy. Whether you're just beginning or ready to dig deeper, these sessions offer valuable tools and insights. Learn more at here.

• Beginning Genealogy for German Heritage Series (June 7, June 28, & July 12)

• Researching Your German Roots (August 16)

Join Us in Sprucing Up the Colony!

Peggie Trei generously bequeathed a final gift to help fund the repainting of the Ox Barn and museum signage, supporting the preservation of this historic site for future generations. In honor of her legacy and dedication to preservation, we invite you to join her in supporting this important work.

Additional preservation projects are underway as we prepare to welcome the Bleicherode delegation this August.
• Keil Cemetery clean-up
• Emma Wakefield Herb Garden refresh

How You Can Help
There are several ways to get involved:

  • Make a donation to support the work

  • Contribute supplies (paint, tools, plants, etc.)

  • Join a work party and get your hands dirty with fellow community members

Every contribution makes a difference as we honor our past and prepare for this exciting cultural exchange!

Remembering Peggie Trei

May 14, 1931 – February 12, 2025

The Aurora Colony Historical Society honors the life and legacy of Peggie M. Trei, a proud descendant of the Werkmeister and Nieft families who emigrated to Oregon in 1877 with the financial assistance of their relative, Dr. Keil. After crossing the Isthmus of Panama, her ancestors journeyed by ship to Astoria or wagon from San Francisco before settling in Aurora.

Peggie remained connected to that legacy. A longtime member and generous supporter of the Historical Society, she contributed to the restoration of the Keil Family Cemetery and helped reunite the cremains of Emilie Werkmeister, once held at the Oregon State Hospital, with her family in the Keil Cemetery.

Peggie’s lifelong interest in history, genealogy, and heritage made her a treasured member of the museum community. We are grateful for Peggie’s enduring support, friendship, and the legacy she leaves behind in Aurora.

Read more about Peggie here.

Coming Events

Shoreline Silhouettes: Emma by the Sea
Wed., June 11th at 10:00am

Enjoy a delightful day celebrating Emma Wagner Giesy with a special presentation by Jane Kirkpatrick, “Emma: Temporary Terrible Times”, book signing, tea luncheon by Granny Fi’s, and a fashion show “100 Years of Hems” from the costume department of Fort Vancouver NHS.

Oregon Moonshine: Bootleggers, Busts & Brawls
Thu., June 26th at 6:30pm

Join author Bruce Haney as he chronicles the intoxicating history of Oregon Moonshine. Aurora After Hours presentations are free for members, suggested donation of $10 for the general public.

Farm Days at Stauffer-Will
Thu., June 19th at 10am &
Sat., July 12th at 10am

Enjoy a rare opportunity to step back in time with a visit to the Stauffer-Will Farm. This hand’s-on, living history event is fun for all ages. Learn about life on an 1870s farm and create projects to take home as souvenirs!

The Historic Conjurer
Thu. July 31st at 6:30pm

An evening of 19th century magic, or conjuring as it was known then, demonstration! Aurora After Hours presentations are free for members, suggested donation of $10 for the general public.

Help us Reconnect

The past few years brought many changes, and we know we may have lost touch with some of you along the way. As we look ahead, we want to better serve you—our members, supporters, and community. This short form will help us reconnect, refresh our contact list, and learn what you’d like to see in future newsletters. Thank you for being part of our story.