Federation of German Societies Records, 1931-1988

Accession A91-53
Collection M49

Table of Contents

• Historical Note
• Scope and Content Note
• Box and Folder Inventory

Historical Note

The Federation of German Societies was originally formed in the late nineteenth century by the various cultural, social, and fraternal organizations of Indianapolis's German-American community. One of its major goals was the preservation of German culture in the city. By 1910 the Federation had 56 member societies. The advent of World War I and the anti-German sentiments it aroused, however, forced the Federation to suspend its operations.

The Federation was revived in 1931 with 22 member societies. The Federation purchased 25 acres of land at 8600 S. Meridian Street in 1934 for use as a private park (known as German Park). The park is the site of many of the activities of the Federation and its members. The Federation currently has 12 member societies: German-American Klub, German-American Klub Auxiliary, Greenhouse Growers Association, Heimaths-Preussen-Unterstutzungsverein, Indianapolis Gardeners Benefit Society, Indianapolis Liederkranz, Indianapolis Liederkranz Ladies Society, Indianapolis Maennerchor, Indianapolis Saengerchor, Indianapolis Soccer Club, Indianapolis Vegetable Growers Association, and the South Side Turners.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of two series: minutes and booklet.

Minutes (1931-1988) are the minutes of the Federation's meetings. The minutes from 1931 to 1975 are written in German and are written in English since 1976.

Booklet (1984) is an 8-page booklet published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of German Park. It provides a brief history of the park, of the Federation, and of the Federation's member societies.

Box and Folder Inventory

Box	Fol	Contents                                               Date
1	1	Minutes	                                               1931-1955
		"Protokol-Buch des Deutschen Stadtverbandes 
		von Indianapolis, Indiana," volume containing 
		the minutes of meetings of the Federation of 
		German Societies from 8/30/1931 to 1/12/1955; 
		one volume of 300 pages, written in German	

1	2	Minutes	                                               1955-1979
		Minutes of meetings, 1/17/1955-4/15/1979; 
		one volume of 300 pages, in German from 1955 
		to 1975 and in English since 1976

1	3	Minutes	                                               1982-1988
		Minutes of meetings, 4/9/1982-12/6/1988; 
		one volume of 300 pages

1	4	Booklet	                                               1984
		8-page booklet commemorating the 50th 
		anniversary of German Park

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