At 3:00 p.m. on June 12, friends of the Germanna Foundation will celebrate the 700th anniversary of Anzhausen with birthday cake and light refreshments. The public is invited.

Thanks to the work of the Germanna Foundation to build deeper transatlantic ties based on shared kinship and culture, the Foundation recently received a very thoughtful gift. On May 4, the Germanna Foundation received a book from Herr Claus S. Kowallik in Wilnsdorf, Anzhausen, Germany. The book is entitled, "Anzhausen, Geschichte und Geschichten eines Siegerlander Dorfes" [Anzhausen, History and Tales of a Siegerland Village]. He enclosed a note (in English) stating how this is the birthplace of Reverend Johann Henrich Haeger/(John) Henry Haeger who left Germany in 1713.

In 1714, Reverend Haeger came to Virginia to serve as the pastor to the little colony of Germans living in Fort Germanna under the patronage of Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood. Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin is one of many descendants of Reverend Haeger living in the United States and Australia.

Through surviving records, Anzhausen historians have determined this year is the 700th Anniversary of their village, and have published a book to commemorate the event. Mr. Kowallik adds, "We hope you will enjoy reading it and we would feel highly honored if it finds a place in your library." The people of Anzhausen in North Rhine-Westfalia will be celebrating the 700th anniversary during the weekend of June 11-13, and Germanna will be joining in on the festivities from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

Please join us for the Anzhausen Birthday Party at 3:00 p.m. on June 12, 2010 at the Brawdus Martin Germanna Visitor Center, 2062 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, VA 22508. For more information, please call the Visitor Center at (540) 423-1700.