The marvel of finding magic when you're not even looking

There's something special about finding art and beauty when you least expect it. You might call that serendipity. I call it the Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum at Altenburg, just up the road a bit from Cape Girardeau.

Some of you most faithful readers remember that I have mentioned the Altenburg museum a few times in the past. That's because this jewel of a museum always has a surprise or two.

Last week, my best friend from college -- we started as freshmen more than half a century ago -- came for a two-day visit that was delightful. We showed him the sights, since he was a first-time visitor to our fair city. Then my wife suggested that a drive to Altenburg on a sunny autumn afternoon would be a nice way to soak up a bit of Southeast Missouri. Off we went.

Some of you who have never been to the museum in Altenburg are probably thinking, "More dusty hand-me-downs that nobody has the guts to throw away."

Quite the contrary.

Sure, there are plenty of old things at the museum, and many of them sort out the history of those 650 risk-taking Germans who left Saxony and came to Southeast Missouri in 1839. Among other things, the recently arrived immigrants started a Lutheran seminary, and the log building is still preserved near the museum.

As it turns out, everything -- and everyone, it seems -- has a connection. Take Kurt Mueller, for example. Kurt is a Minneapolis artist whose great-great-grandfather was one of the first graduates of the Lutheran seminary in Altenburg. Kurt comes from a long line of pastors, and a while back he visited Altenburg to make some family connections.

And he had got an inspiration.

The result is a collection of sculptures made from pieces of on-the-spot history. There are the chunks of tile made by one of Kurt's ancestors assembled with what's left of an ancient oak log. The sculpture not only tells a story, it is a story.

My favorite sculpture is called "Trinity." It is made of shards or wood salvaged from the steeple of Trinity Church in Altenburg. The steeple was blown off in a 2009 storm. Imbedded in the wood are 650 hand-forged square nails, one nail for each of the stalwart Germans who immigrated nearly 200 years ago.

As you look at the art and read the descriptions of what you're seeing, it's easy to get emotional. Carla Jordan, the museum's fabulous director, said many visitors leave with tears in their eyes after seeing this special exhibit.

Here's the deal: the Kurt Mueller exhibit of sculptures, paintworks and assemblages will only be at the Altenburg museum until Nov. 7. That's just three more weeks. If you have any interest in wonderful art and a spectacular drive, complete with East Perry County's fall foliage, head for Altenburg. You won't be disappointed.

As a matter of fact, you might come under the spell of the museum that always has a surprise. Yes, the permanent displays regarding the German history and culture of our area are always there. But the stunning special exhibits that change every few weeks or months are worth another trip. My wife and I go three or four times a year so we won't miss anything, like the exhibit of old tools earlier this summer, or the forest of delightfully decorated Christmas trees that will soon be installed at the museum.

There are great folks who work and volunteer at the museum. They love to chat. The next thing you know, you have new friends.

I ask you: What could be better than this?

Joe Sullivan is the retired editor of the Southeast Missourian.