German immigrants have shaped Maryland’s history for generations, leaving their mark on everything from the farms of Frederick County to the businesses and cultural institutions of Baltimore. In this episode of Maryland Unfolded, we explore the waves of German immigration to Maryland, the communities they built, and the discrimination they sometimes faced, especially during times of war.
Host Sheilah Kast speaks with historian Shelley Arnold about why Maryland was so attractive to Germans and how they helped shape the state’s history. Then Pastor Anke Diebler shares the story of Zion Church of the City of Baltimore, where German-language worship and traditions have endured for nearly three centuries.
Shelley Arnold is an expert in German-American history and genealogy. She maintains the German Marylanders website, serves as archivist for Zion Church of the City of Baltimore, and is a past president of the German Society of Maryland…