Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Some of the Narren cast of characters attending the opening of the new exhibit dedicated to the group. Standing Narren characters from left: Rosa, Gusty and Der Burgermeister. Seated Narren characters from left: Otto, Tanta Anna, Poppy Ping and Katarina.

NEW ULM — More than three decades of Narren history is on display at the Brown County Historical Society (BCHS) museum.

The second floor has multiple display cases full of Narren memorabilia and history about the group.

The Narren were founded by Rita Waibel and Avonna Domeier during New Ulm Heritage Fest in 1989. The two donned costume and wooden masks and joined the celebration. Over the next few years, more masks were purchased and the cast of Narren characters expanded.

The group now has 38 Narren masks with three more on order. The character backstories for the new characters have already been approved.

The display includes early photos of the Narren and their costuming. The entire costume and mask of “Tillie” the Feder Frau (feather lady) stands in a display case. Tillie was an early Narren character, her mask was carved in 1991. According to her backstory she raises geese in Goosetown.

The mask of Fritz “Der Wurstmann” is also on display. Fritz is a retired Narren character but he was often found following Tillie.

Fritz is fond of making German sausages and was known for making fine German wursts at his shop.

However, he was always on the lookout for goose meat, forcing Tillie to keep him away.

Other artifacts include items handed out by the Narren during special events. Narren member Kathy Ruby said in the early days the Narren would hand out painted eggs. Some of these vintage eggs are on display.

Newspaper articles documenting the group’s exploits show the changes of the time. Ruby said the Narren have kidnapped three different New Ulm mayors for Fasching, starting with Joel Albrecht, moving on to Robert Beussman and recently capturing Terry Sveine in February.

The New Ulm Narren tradition goes back 33 years, but Narren groups have kept the tradition alive in Germany. The Narren have long been connected with times of celebration and festivals.

Narren Denise Dril said the tradition goes back to pagan times to celebrate the arrival of spring. A broom is part of the display. Narren would frequently carry brooms to symbolized sweeping away winter.

Ruby said the hardest part of putting the Narren display together for the BCHS was finding items members were willing to temporarily part with. For many of the New Ulm Narren the masks, costumes and trickets they carry are personal. For this reason alone the exhibit at BCHS is a rare treat for visitors.

The Narren exhibit will be on display at the museum through late April. BCHS is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.