The booming Bavarian voice coming out of the back of “the castle” instructs staff to prepare for guests.

It’s the voice of Max “The Baron” Frohnwieser, the Austrian general manager of the Baron’s Manor Pub at 9568 192 St. in Port Kells.

And while the 100-year-old pub has been painstakingly restored, much remains as it was a century ago, when – in the very same building – Baron Carl von Mackensen was preparing for one of his famed Christmas parties that were open to all of Port Kells.

The pub is the reconstruction of the heritage Baron’s Castle, once owned by von Mackensen – the nephew of August von Mackensen, a prominent field marshal in the First World War.

The baron was renowned for his holiday parties, where he’d expound on his ties to dignitaries in Germany.

Entering the house through the doors – complete with stained glass depicting the family coat of arms – guests would encounter a foyer which included standing suits of armour and walls adorned with swords, pistols and muskets.

Grand Victorian furniture was arranged throughout the home and velvet drapes of burgundy and green hung over the windows.

Food and drink flowed generously.

Lubricated with liquor, von Mackensen would discuss his future in the community. He would become a feudal lord in Port Kells, he said.

His ambition was eventually his undoing.

As Canadian blood spilled in Europe, and fears increased of an attack from German ships, von Mackensen made what may have been the most imprudent decision of his life.

He raised the black, red and white flag of Germany outside his Port Kells home.

He was soon accused of espionage in January, 1915, and as prisoner 79 was interned at a camp in Vernon. His home and all his assets were seized by Canada under the War Measures Act.

Current castle manager Max Frohnwieser admits a certain passion about keeping the interior of his pub authentic to when the baron lived there.

“My intention is to keep as much of the memories of so many people who lived here at the time,” Frohnwieser says.

Most of the original building as it was in 1910 still remains in the pub.

The wall between the kitchen and the pub curves in and out, following the lines of the original construction. The hardwood in the upstairs portion of the 190-seat establishment is from the original home, as is the chimney and some of the exterior cladding. The walls are covered in pictures and posters indicative of the era, with images of the baron throughout.

The most prominent feature of the building is a reconstruction of the turreted tower, which was reportedly home to the baron’s radio.

At the outset of the First World War, many believed von Mackensen was transmitting coded messages to ships at sea.

Late in 1914, German Vice Admiral Maximillian Graf von Spee was playing a game of cat and mouse with British Rear Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock. The two naval battle groups were in the South Atlantic, but steamed around Cape Horn into the Pacific and began heading north.

Von Spee had dispatched one of his ships, the Leipzig, which reached the opening of Juan de Fuca Strait by Aug. 13, 1914 where it waited to pass through under a cloak of fog.

This region was riveted with fear that an attack was imminent. One city in the Interior even took up arms to defend local territories.

It was against this backdrop that the baron unapologetically embraced his homeland, and the Kaiser, by raising his flag.

Frohnwieser is well-acquainted with the baron’s story. He points to a large air vent in the restaurant, where a tunnel led from the home to 96 Avenue. It was believed by many of the locals that German troops would access Port Kells through that tunnel.

Frohnwieser is currently working to recreate the von Mackenesen family crest that once adorned the door of the home.

He says the restoration of the von Mackensen home is not only a labour of love, it’s a work in progress.

The $3-million restoration of the von Mackensen home, paid for by the owners, the Rhandawa family, stands as a testament of how Surrey’s heritage can be preserved, by using some commercial components and some passion about how to keep a building true to its time.

Even the menu, like the restored home, is a mix of German and the more traditional, with burgers, bratwurst, fish and chips, schnitzel and steak.

Frohnwieser is planning a grand opening celebration for the pub early next year.

kdiakiw@surreyleader.com