The Athenaeum Turners is a German-American organization founded in 1851 as the Indianapolis Turngemeinde. Its original emphasis was on promoting physical fitness and intellectual development, advancing the political interests of German-Americans, and preserving German culture. The Athenaeum, the Turners' home since its opening in 1893, served as a gathering place for the Indianapolis German-American community, and members of the Athenaeum Turners were prominent leaders in the political, business, educational, and cultural life of the city. Today the Athenaeum Turners is primarily a German cultural organization. These photographs are part of the Athenaeum Turners Records held by the IUPUI University Library Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives.
This project was funded in part by the Hoyt-Reichmann Chair in German-American Studies.