The Weber Farm AirBnB

Ariel view of the Weber Farm AirBnB

The Weber Farm AirBnB

The Jewel of Perry County Missouri

By Mary Koeberl Rechenberg

Ever felt like you needed to get away from it all and dreamed of a special place that would be free from the noise, the traffic and the busyness of everyday life? The Weber Farm Airbnb, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Perry County Missouri, is the destination for you. Like an oasis in the dessert,

The Weber Farm AirBnB historic home

this historic farm will sooth your soul and surround you with the peace and beauty of nature.

Acres of well-manicured crop land surround the property, revealing shades of green, brown and gold, depending on the season. The relaxed atmosphere is enhanced by the occasional hum of a tractor, the happy clucking of chickens, birds singing in the trees and kittens mewing in the barn. Regular visits by a variety of wildlife including squirrels, deer, turkey and even eagles add to the charm and beauty of this little piece of heaven. Combine all this with a cozy old farmhouse reminiscent of Grandma and Grandpa’s day and you have the recipe for a perfect place to unwind.

This amazing get-away didn’t happen overnight. It is the result of the tenacity and vision of a young man from Germany. In 1889, 17 year old Herman C. Weber traveled to America alone, leaving his parents and 11 brothers and sisters behind. He spoke no English but still managed, with the help of a distant relative, to take a train to St. Louis and on to Perry County Missouri. After finding work as a farm laborer, he diligently saved his money. Three years later

he’d earned his citizenship and had accumulated enough money to purchase a small farm of 65 acres. Realizing the need for more land, he worked harder and saved until he was able to buy 27 more acres.

Beautiful barn quilt on the Weber barn

The first house young Herman lived in was a modest log cabin. He married Emma

Poppitz, from Altenburg, Missouri in July 1895. As the young couple’s family grew, and Herman’s farm prospered, he added on to the cabin. Eventually, the house was enlarged to include four spacious bedrooms, a large kitchen/dining room, living room, bathroom, attic and basement. Emma passed away suddenly in 1916, and 2 years later Herman married her sister, Susanne. Herman had 15 children, all born in the sturdy farm house. The 40 foot front porch

became the ideal place to catch a breeze, relax in a swing and visit with family and friends.

The rich history of generations past is evident throughout the over 125 year old house and out buildings. Antique furnishings, original hardwood floors and handmade quilts blend beautifully with vintage updates from the 50’s and 60’s. Unique items are everywhere, such as hand-made baskets, a Grafonola (an early 20th century phonograph) and even the wooden round-top trunk that carried Herman’s personal belongings to America aboard the “George Washington”. Farm machinery and tools used by three generations are labeled and displayed in

the barns.

Herman eventually moved to the nearby town of Frohna, Missouri, selling the farm to his son, George Weber, who was a farmer all his life. Today, as a third generation farm, it is owned and maintained by two of George’s sons and their spouses, Earl & Diane Weber and Gene & Emily Weber, having purchased it from their three siblings. Both Earl and Gene are retired, but they share a desire to keep the farm in the family as well as find a way to share its peaceful and

rejuvenating qualities with others. “Earl thought of the idea for having an Airbnb”, said Gene. “We all agreed the farm would be a good place for people to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, the beautiful scenery, the gorgeous sunsets and the wonderful history of this place.”

You will find plenty to do at The Weber Farm: explore the barn, hike the 1.5 mi. nature trail, play yard games, grill on the Weber grill, build a fire in the fire pit for hotdogs and s’mores or just relax on the porch swing.

The Weber Farm is just minutes away from the nearby historic towns of Frohna and Altenburg, Missouri, which were part of the Saxon Immigration of 1839. The Lutheran Heritage Center and Museum is located in Altenburg. The site includes the first Lutheran Seminary west of the Mississippi. The Saxon Memorial in Frohna, features authentic log homes and buildings and furnishings from early 1800. These locations focus on the German Heritage of both towns.

Minutes away from the farm you will find the Mississippi River Wine Trail, which includes 2 unique wineries: Hemman’s Winery and Apple Creek Winery.

In Perryville, Missouri, a drive of 25 minutes, you can visit the National Veteran’s Memorial, which is an exact full scale black granite replica identical to the Vietnam Wall in Washington D. C. Also in Perryville is the American Tractor Museum, which takes visitors through the evolution of the machine that plowed, planted and harvested the American Dream for centuries.

The Weber Farm Airbnb has earned the highest rating of 5 stars and Airbnb has

designated them as Super hosts. Renters have come from many parts of the country: New York, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, California, to name a few, even from as far away as Germany and Bulgaria. The Webers turned their farm into an Airbnb in October 2019 and take great care to clean and disinfect the entire house after each guest, making it a safe place to visit.

The Webers share their blessings by donating 10% of their annual revenue to missions,such as the African Vision of Hope Ministry. This ministry provides schools, books, food, clothes and Christian Education to children and families in extreme poverty in Zambia.

The Webers welcome your to their farm with its spacious country home, large yard and beautiful shade trees for an enjoyable, relaxing get-away, and take in the sights and history of beautiful Perry County Missouri.

Information about The Weber Farm can be found on Facebook or Airbnb.com. To learn more about Perry County Missouri visit: facebook.com/visitperrycountymo or call the Perry County Heritage Tourism Office (573) 517-2069.

Photos are the property of Gene Weber.