The 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition was the first of its
kind in the United States. It marked the 100th anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence, took ten years to plan and
cost more than eleven million dollars. It covered more than 450
acres of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park and drew ten million
visitors to see 30,000 exhibitors, the most important of which
was Machinery Hall filled with new inventions such as electric
lights and elevators. It was here where typewriters, a calculator,
Edison's telegraph and Bell's telephone were first seen by the
public. The stately "German Building" pictured above left drew
giant crowds.
kind in the United States. It marked the 100th anniversary of
the Declaration of Independence, took ten years to plan and
cost more than eleven million dollars. It covered more than 450
acres of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park and drew ten million
visitors to see 30,000 exhibitors, the most important of which
was Machinery Hall filled with new inventions such as electric
lights and elevators. It was here where typewriters, a calculator,
Edison's telegraph and Bell's telephone were first seen by the
public. The stately "German Building" pictured above left drew
giant crowds.
| German Days at the Fair and the Turners |
The Tennessee Centennial and International
Exposition in 1897 was held in Nashville and also
featured German exhibits and a German day.
German physicist Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen's
new invention of an X-ray machine, discovered
only a year earlier, was part the Exposition in
Nashville. Roentgen, right, was awarded the first
Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
Exposition in 1897 was held in Nashville and also
featured German exhibits and a German day.
German physicist Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen's
new invention of an X-ray machine, discovered
only a year earlier, was part the Exposition in
Nashville. Roentgen, right, was awarded the first
Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
Its snow-capped mountains ran a tram ride through the mountain valleys while peasants in native
dress performed concerts. It even contained the birthplace of Mozart. The Luchow-Faust Cafe,
below left, seated over 4,800 people. The St. Louis Inn, a replica of a German Inn, seated another
2,500 in its first class restaurant, the largest restaurant at the fair. Will Rogers entertained the crowds.
dress performed concerts. It even contained the birthplace of Mozart. The Luchow-Faust Cafe,
below left, seated over 4,800 people. The St. Louis Inn, a replica of a German Inn, seated another
2,500 in its first class restaurant, the largest restaurant at the fair. Will Rogers entertained the crowds.
The 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo intended to show the
connection between the US and the other nations of the Western
Hemisphere and to show the benefits of electric light made possible
from Niagara Falls hydroelectric power. A greatly successful and
popular exhibit was "Alt Nürnberg", left, which replicated several
historic buildings in Nürnberg and contained an open-air restaurant
and concert area. Within the buildings were reproductions of artwork
and other cultural treasures of Germany. President William McKinley
was shot here on September 6th by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, who hid
in the receiving line with a revolver concealed in a handkerchief.
Eight days later, McKinley died of his wounds and Theodore
Roosevelt became President.
connection between the US and the other nations of the Western
Hemisphere and to show the benefits of electric light made possible
from Niagara Falls hydroelectric power. A greatly successful and
popular exhibit was "Alt Nürnberg", left, which replicated several
historic buildings in Nürnberg and contained an open-air restaurant
and concert area. Within the buildings were reproductions of artwork
and other cultural treasures of Germany. President William McKinley
was shot here on September 6th by anarchist Leon Czolgosz, who hid
in the receiving line with a revolver concealed in a handkerchief.
Eight days later, McKinley died of his wounds and Theodore
Roosevelt became President.
The World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 was
more international in scope than any previous fair, and reflected
the awesome changes brought on by industry. Chicago built an
entire new city for the Exposition called "TheWhite City".
Foremost among the foreign structures at the Exposition was
the German Building on the shore of the lake, left. June 15th
was German day at the fair, lower left. There was also a
German village where a replica of Heidelberg castle, furniture
and all, loomed above quaint cottages at its base, with
old-fashioned German shops and the "Inn of The Golden Bear"
with good beer. The verdant prater or park which covered two
acres near the Manufactures building was a miniature
reproduction of the site on which the Vienna Exposition of
1873 was held.
more international in scope than any previous fair, and reflected
the awesome changes brought on by industry. Chicago built an
entire new city for the Exposition called "TheWhite City".
Foremost among the foreign structures at the Exposition was
the German Building on the shore of the lake, left. June 15th
was German day at the fair, lower left. There was also a
German village where a replica of Heidelberg castle, furniture
and all, loomed above quaint cottages at its base, with
old-fashioned German shops and the "Inn of The Golden Bear"
with good beer. The verdant prater or park which covered two
acres near the Manufactures building was a miniature
reproduction of the site on which the Vienna Exposition of
1873 was held.
"The German House", left, contained a hundred "delicacies of color and
ornament that gladdened the hours in Jackson Park". It cost $250,000
and had a cupola which rose to one hundred and fifty feet,
a Swiss veranda and Gothic bays. The main portion simulated a chapel
by the inner timber-framing and furnishings. The raftered and galleried
house was filled with displays of rare books.
ornament that gladdened the hours in Jackson Park". It cost $250,000
and had a cupola which rose to one hundred and fifty feet,
a Swiss veranda and Gothic bays. The main portion simulated a chapel
by the inner timber-framing and furnishings. The raftered and galleried
house was filled with displays of rare books.
Performances in its concert hall were conducted by the Austrian imperial court's musical director.
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, 1904, celebrated the
1803 Louisiana Purchase and intended to demonstrate progress and
technological advancement. More than two hundred buildings covered
the exposition area of two square miles and its cost of $19.6 million
was double that of the Columbian Exposition ten years before. It had
the first successful demonstration of wireless telegraphy between the
ground and the air in the United States as well as meteorological
balloon experiments which sent small balloons up to great heights to
record temperatures. The Department of Physical Culture taught the
superiority of the Anglo-Saxon "civilized" man over the "primitives"
in the rest of the world. As one aspect of the fair, the third modern
Olympiad, the 1904 Olympic Games, were brought to St. Louis.
More than 3280 Turners took part in exercises and competitions.
There was also a 1,000 man German choir. At the bottom left is part
of the spectacular German exhibit at the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis.
1803 Louisiana Purchase and intended to demonstrate progress and
technological advancement. More than two hundred buildings covered
the exposition area of two square miles and its cost of $19.6 million
was double that of the Columbian Exposition ten years before. It had
the first successful demonstration of wireless telegraphy between the
ground and the air in the United States as well as meteorological
balloon experiments which sent small balloons up to great heights to
record temperatures. The Department of Physical Culture taught the
superiority of the Anglo-Saxon "civilized" man over the "primitives"
in the rest of the world. As one aspect of the fair, the third modern
Olympiad, the 1904 Olympic Games, were brought to St. Louis.
More than 3280 Turners took part in exercises and competitions.
There was also a 1,000 man German choir. At the bottom left is part
of the spectacular German exhibit at the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis.
More than $600,000 was raised to finance the building of the
exposition on 184 acres of land north of the city donated by real estate
developer Herman Kountze. On the opening day of June 1, 1898,
nearly 28,000 visitors flocked to the Exposition with its Grand Court of
impressive white buildings. Modern technology played a big role in the
fair and there were exhibits from 25 states and territories. Attractions
on the Midway included a "German Village and Scenic Railway".
exposition on 184 acres of land north of the city donated by real estate
developer Herman Kountze. On the opening day of June 1, 1898,
nearly 28,000 visitors flocked to the Exposition with its Grand Court of
impressive white buildings. Modern technology played a big role in the
fair and there were exhibits from 25 states and territories. Attractions
on the Midway included a "German Village and Scenic Railway".
The late 19th Century was a golden age of the exposition or "World's Fair" and German Americans
and the German Empire played a large part in the most popular exhibits and activities.
and the German Empire played a large part in the most popular exhibits and activities.
Representatives from larger cities in the Trans-Mississippi states
founded the Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress in 1894 and these
delegates met in Omaha in 1895 where William Jennings Bryant,
convinced the group that Omaha was the ideal site for the "Trans-
Mississippi and International Exposition" of 1898. On January 25, 1896,
the Exposition Corporation was founded with the incentive to help the
area rebound after depression and drought.
founded the Trans-Mississippi Commercial Congress in 1894 and these
delegates met in Omaha in 1895 where William Jennings Bryant,
convinced the group that Omaha was the ideal site for the "Trans-
Mississippi and International Exposition" of 1898. On January 25, 1896,
the Exposition Corporation was founded with the incentive to help the
area rebound after depression and drought.
| The Turner Movement |
Friedrich Jahn, founder of the Turner Society, was associated with this movement. The real impetus
for widespread organization of Turner groups in America came from the 1848 revolution that drove
so many Germans to America and resulted directly in the U.S.Turnverein founded in Cincinnati in
1848 on Friedrich Hecker's initiative. Others followed in rapid succession and active societies existed
from Boston to Richmond in 1850. Although largely a gymnastic society, the immigrants wished to
combine their physical education endeavors with efforts to preserve German culture and traditions.In
its early days, the U.S. Turnverein was a movement whose principles were comparable with those
of German freethinkers' societies. Antislavery, anti-prohibition, and anti-nativism were basic tenets
of the Turner movement in America.
for widespread organization of Turner groups in America came from the 1848 revolution that drove
so many Germans to America and resulted directly in the U.S.Turnverein founded in Cincinnati in
1848 on Friedrich Hecker's initiative. Others followed in rapid succession and active societies existed
from Boston to Richmond in 1850. Although largely a gymnastic society, the immigrants wished to
combine their physical education endeavors with efforts to preserve German culture and traditions.In
its early days, the U.S. Turnverein was a movement whose principles were comparable with those
of German freethinkers' societies. Antislavery, anti-prohibition, and anti-nativism were basic tenets
of the Turner movement in America.
Immigrants could enjoy colorful militia formations and the
Germanic gun clubs, the Schützenverein, or don fanciful
uniforms and join companies of German huzzars, fusileers
and riflemen. There were many German American cultural
organizations in most states aside from Turnvereins, including
abundant musical societies. Germans formed choral groups
and glee clubs wherever they settled.
The 1905 Indianapolis Turners parade, left, drew thousands
Germanic gun clubs, the Schützenverein, or don fanciful
uniforms and join companies of German huzzars, fusileers
and riflemen. There were many German American cultural
organizations in most states aside from Turnvereins, including
abundant musical societies. Germans formed choral groups
and glee clubs wherever they settled.
The 1905 Indianapolis Turners parade, left, drew thousands
The Turners were also popular among many progressive non-Germans. The Turnverein offered
German-style physical fitness regimes along with ethnic solidarity and support in blending the old and
new cultures. The St. Louis Turner Society was a social athletic club that also offered defensive
military training because of the violent "Nativist" demonstrations and riots in the mid-1850's against
German immigrants in some areas. In one of several large meeting halls, young men were trained in
shooting, bayoneting and hand-to-hand combat in addition to gymnastics. Upon advice from Franz
Sigel, German-American militias were formed with Sigel himself instructing volunteers. The
membership was dedicated to "cultivation of rational training, both intellectual and physical in order
that the members may become energetic, patriotic citizens of the Republic." The intellectualism was
displayed by lectures and by the establishment of Turner libraries.
German-style physical fitness regimes along with ethnic solidarity and support in blending the old and
new cultures. The St. Louis Turner Society was a social athletic club that also offered defensive
military training because of the violent "Nativist" demonstrations and riots in the mid-1850's against
German immigrants in some areas. In one of several large meeting halls, young men were trained in
shooting, bayoneting and hand-to-hand combat in addition to gymnastics. Upon advice from Franz
Sigel, German-American militias were formed with Sigel himself instructing volunteers. The
membership was dedicated to "cultivation of rational training, both intellectual and physical in order
that the members may become energetic, patriotic citizens of the Republic." The intellectualism was
displayed by lectures and by the establishment of Turner libraries.
This mutual German sentiment gave birth to the first wave of German nationalism and to the student
associations at German universities known as 'Burschenschaften' with their motto of: "Ehre, Freiheit,
Vaterland" (honor, freedom, fatherland).The Wartburgfest, or student festival, at Wartburg castle in
October of 1817 was the Burschenschaften's first major appearance, commemorating both the
Protestant Reformation of 1517 and the Battle of Leipzig four years earlier which had effectively
ended French supremacy in Europe. The word "fatherland" was their motto, Germans began to feel
increasingly uneasy with the disparity between sharing one cultural heritage and belonging to one
nation but living in 38 separate states. Alte Kameraden
associations at German universities known as 'Burschenschaften' with their motto of: "Ehre, Freiheit,
Vaterland" (honor, freedom, fatherland).The Wartburgfest, or student festival, at Wartburg castle in
October of 1817 was the Burschenschaften's first major appearance, commemorating both the
Protestant Reformation of 1517 and the Battle of Leipzig four years earlier which had effectively
ended French supremacy in Europe. The word "fatherland" was their motto, Germans began to feel
increasingly uneasy with the disparity between sharing one cultural heritage and belonging to one
nation but living in 38 separate states. Alte Kameraden
The cry for national unity became louder and created a threat to the established order. The students
chose black, red, and gold as the colors for their flags, ribbons and caps,the colors of the uniforms of
the Lützower Jäger, a volunteer infantry unit which had distinguished itself in the wars against
Napoleon, and also the colors used for the flag of the Deutsches Reich in medieval times (a black
eagle on a golden rectangular cloth attached to a red shaft.)
chose black, red, and gold as the colors for their flags, ribbons and caps,the colors of the uniforms of
the Lützower Jäger, a volunteer infantry unit which had distinguished itself in the wars against
Napoleon, and also the colors used for the flag of the Deutsches Reich in medieval times (a black
eagle on a golden rectangular cloth attached to a red shaft.)
The German American institution known as the Turnverein was an important component of their
communities. The Turner movement originated in the early 1800's as part of the effort to liberate the
German states from Napoleon's rule. They combined patriotic and liberal principles with an emphasis
on physical training. Napoleon might therefore be credited for creating German nationalism. As
Napoleon had worn thin on the average German, it is said that even Beethoven, who had written the
Eroica with Napoleon Bonaparte in mind, erased the dedication after Napoleon's pompous
self-coronation.
communities. The Turner movement originated in the early 1800's as part of the effort to liberate the
German states from Napoleon's rule. They combined patriotic and liberal principles with an emphasis
on physical training. Napoleon might therefore be credited for creating German nationalism. As
Napoleon had worn thin on the average German, it is said that even Beethoven, who had written the
Eroica with Napoleon Bonaparte in mind, erased the dedication after Napoleon's pompous
self-coronation.
The German House was an accurate reproduction of magnificent Charlottenburg Schloss near Berlin,
complete with the grand stairway of the Cascade Gardens. It housed a fashionable restaurant and
exhibited rare art treasures and samples of interior decorations sent over by the German Emperor.
The Royal Palace contained its own theater which showed scenes from the Oberammergau Passion
Play. Another treat was a spectacular Alpine village financed by Adolphus Busch. It had nine acres
of mountain scenery and villages, complete with a stream train and twenty one buildings with a
statue of Andreas Hofer in the center!
complete with the grand stairway of the Cascade Gardens. It housed a fashionable restaurant and
exhibited rare art treasures and samples of interior decorations sent over by the German Emperor.
The Royal Palace contained its own theater which showed scenes from the Oberammergau Passion
Play. Another treat was a spectacular Alpine village financed by Adolphus Busch. It had nine acres
of mountain scenery and villages, complete with a stream train and twenty one buildings with a
statue of Andreas Hofer in the center!
There was also a 2,000 foot long lagoon where people could ride on a swan boat or gondola. A
special power plant operated thousands of incandescent lights which ceremoniously lit up the fair
grounds to the cheers of the crowd.
special power plant operated thousands of incandescent lights which ceremoniously lit up the fair
grounds to the cheers of the crowd.