Until the 18th century, Bürgstadt was the seat of a Centgraf (tithe count), but had already lost much of its importance by the late Middle Ages to neighbouring Miltenberg, also a property of Mainz, which had a more favourable strategic location and was protected by a castle.

In the past furniture making, the growing of tobacco and (for centuries) quarrying all played a role in the local economy.

Almost all the community’s winegrowing businesses take it in fortnightly turns to offer up their own wine with various kinds of bread in Häckerwirtschaften.

Documented here as well are tobacco growing, early and local history and the life and times of the composer Johann Michael Breunig (1699–1755), who was born here.

The history of ethnic Germans driven out of their lands after the Second World War has a special room dedicated to it.

Special exhibitions on current themes in local and club history and on everyday village life before 1960 are presented, changing twice yearly, with the help of the museum's inventory.

There are also the historic town hall (built about 1590-2) and the ruins of the Centgrafenkapelle ("Tithe Counts’ Chapel") from the 17th century on a nearby hill.

Every five years, a Carnival (locally, Fasching) parade is staged with the Altweibermühle (“Old Women’s Mill”; its first documentary mention goes back to 1860) as the highlight.

Every year on the first weekend in July, the local football club stages its tournament for the Centgrafen-Cup (“Tithe Counts’ Cup”), its name coming from the community’s history.

Since 1990, Bürgstadt has lain on the Fränkischer Rotwein Wanderweg ("Franconian Red Wine Hiking Trail").

(as at municipal election held on 2 March 2008) The community’s arms might be described thus: On a base vert gules a castle embattled argent with two round side towers likewise embattled and with door and windows open, in chief between the towers a wheel spoked of six of the last.