TheThe SteubenSteuben NewsNews A Newspaper by German-Americans for All Americans VOL. 89 NO.2 DUTY • JUSTICE • CHARITY • TOLERANCE MARCH/APRIL 2016 The Coral House in Baldwin, NY is the site of this yearʼs 97th Anniversary Gala Celebration National Council 97th Anniversary German American Heritage Center in Davenport IA has on-going Gala Luncheon exhibits pertaining to German immigration and events highlighting Join us as we celebrate our 97th year of existence. With a German-American contributions to American culture, history and break of tradition, instead of the Founders Day Banquet, we will society. gather on May 22, 2015 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Coral House, 70 Milburn Avenue in Baldwin, NY, for a festive luncheon enhanced German-American Heritage Center by the musical entertainment of John Weber. We will honor our Preserves Germanic Culture in Davenport, Iowa Founders, our Patron, and the Men and Women who serve in our In the mid-to-late 1800’s millions of German citizens left Armed Forces. This year's food is as follows: their homeland and settled as immigrants in the United States. The The cocktail hour includes butler-passed top shelf hors d’ou- 1900 U.S. Census documented that over half the citizens in Iowa, vres. The four course dinner includes pasta, caesar salad and for the Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota main course a choice of Loin of Pork, Salmon or Skirt Steak. were German immigrants or their descendents. Scott County, where Special cake and coffee will be served for dessert. Soda is included. the first passenger railroad crossed the Mississippi River, was the There will be a cash bar. 97th Anniversary Gala tickets are $70 per entry point for many immigrants to the upper Midwest region and person and c-hildren under 12 are $35 per child. Please make check points west. In 1900, Joseph Eiboeck, a veteran German newspa- payable to Steuben Society of America and mail to Elyse Land, P.O. perman, described Davenport as, “the most German city, not only in Box 777, Levittown, NY, 11756. the State, but in all the Middle West, the center of all German activ- We need your support for this important event. Please invite ities in the State.” your friends and family! Founded on August 1, 1994 as a private, not-for-profit organ- PLEASE SUPPORT THE CENTENNIAL CLUB ization, the German American Heritage Center (GAHC) seeks to preserve the heritage of our German speaking ancestors for present In anticipation of our Centennial Anniversary Celebration, we have established the Centennial Club inviting donations of $100. and future generations and to enrich our Donors will be acknowledged in Steuben News. knowledge of the German immigrant experience. Please make check payable to Steuben Society of America PERMIT #12 PAID US POSTAGE Today, GAHC, a National BULK RATE (Note: “Centennial Club”) and mail to: Steuben Society of America, THIRD CLASS One South Ocean Ave. Suite 217, Patchogue, NY 11772 Historic Site, has evolved a museum 11790 BROOK, NY STONY that includes a large permanent exhibit Your Name:___________________________________ and two rotating special exhibits. Address:______________________________________ Contʼd Next page Village:___________________State_____Zip:__________ The Steuben Society of America is N All donations are tax deductible IO dedicated to unite men and women T Visit Steuben Societyʼs New YouTube Channel and watch the of Germanic origin who share a September 2015 Erick Kurz Memorial Lecture common interest in the positive and CORREC by Robert Selig entitled, “Grorg Daniel Flohr and continued growth of our nation as ED SS well as the preservation of our rich ST his Travels in America (1780-1781)” heritage. For more info: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTMiaKc-ICw www.steubensociety.org Steuben Society of America Suite 217 One South Ocean Ave. NY 11772 Patchogue, ADDRE REQUE MARCH/APRIL 2016 THE STEUBEN NEWS Page 2 GAHC Contd from front cover Steuben Maquette of Jaeger’s Von Steuben dren's books for the Statue Restored at Steuben House, NJ next ten years, there is Within the permanent exhibit, visitors experience February 21 at 12:30 p.m. in the Steuben a general consensus an orientation theater, six education stations, and House, preceding the opening of the ball, the Bergen that this book is her two restored hotel rooms. They enjoy an interac- County Historical Society, joined by special guests, masterpiece. tive experience as you learn about immigrants’ unveiled sculptor Albert Jaeger's three-quarter-sized Wanda was a journey by sea, train and foot, to their final desti- maquette of Major General Friedrich Wilhelm Baron classically trained and nation at the German American Heritage Center von Steuben, made in preparation for the bronze statue educated artist, knowl- building, which was originally a very busy hotel of Baron von Steuben erected in Lafayette Park in edgeable in many for thousands of immigrants in the 1860s. One of 1910, opposite the White House. Damaged during respects about the the highlights in the exhibit is called “Step into Hurricane Sandy while stored in an off-site warehouse, great artists and styles my Shoes.” this 107-year-old plaster model was repaired by con- that came before her Visitors will find footprints of a child, servator Gary McGowan of CPR, Inc., through FEMA time. She was also a female and male at this section. They can step on funding secured by the Bergen County Historical fierce idealist and did any set of the footprints, which then triggers the Society. Thank you FEMA! For more info, visit not believe in altering corresponding character to appear before them www.bergencountyhistory.org, her own aestheticism on a screen and talk about their personal experi- [email protected] 201-343- just because she was ence as an immigrant. Visitors may also try on 9492 producing work for clothing that immigrants would have worn dur- ****************** children. She liked to ing the turn of the century, and enjoy exploring Wanda Gag: German-American use stylized human many artifacts on display. The museum also pro- figures, asymmetrical vides educational programs, workshops and Artist from New Ulm MN compositions, strong classes relating to the German American experi- Anton Gag, born in Walk, Bohemia, in 1858, lines and slight spatial ence and culture; assists in the coordination of immigrated to New Ulm in 1879. He married distortions. The real festivals to foster an understanding of German Elizabeth "Lizzie" Biebl, also of Bohemian heritage, source of her expres- American heritage; provides for cultural in 1892. They had seven children: Wanda, born in German-American Wanda Gag, is considered sionistic pictures can exchange through language classes and produc- 1893, followed by Stella, Thusnelda, Asta, Dehli, Americaʼs first childrenʼs book illustrator- be traced back to her tion of cultural presentations to the public; and Howard, and Flavia. They were surrounded by Old author. partners with other heritage groups on programs, World customs, folklore, and folk songs, and spoke a own discoveries as a exhibits and events. German dialect. Anton built this Queen Anne style young art student in Minnesota. She had a strong desire to get at the The GAHC building was built in the house in 1894. "essence" of the object and idea, which meant she was going beyond visu- 1860s, and was originally the Standard Hotel Anton made his living as a photographer and al description through stylized design. She epitomized Lynd Ward's where thousands of German immigrants stayed painter who also decorated houses, churches (includ- description of the realist credo: "I will make the best pictures of which I am in the 1800s when they arrived in the area. The ing the New Ulm Cathedral), and public buildings. capable, whether for children or grown-ups." building was purchased in 1995, partially Anton's painting, "Attack on New Ulm During the She also had a keen sense for detail and authenticity. For Millions restored in 1999, and reopened to the public in Sioux Outbreak," hangs in the Capitol in St. Paul. As of Cats she used her own two cats as models. Her use of white space and May, 2000. In October 2009, GAHC debuted a he was dying in 1908, Anton implored 15-year-old her acute sense of design principles can be seen in the last picture in the newly expanded space including a new large Wanda, "What Papa was unable to accomplish, book. Although she does not specifically write the words, "and they lived interactive permanent exhibit called the “German Wanda will have to finish." happily ever after," as readers we get the distinct impression that the old Immigrant Experience,” two traveling exhibit Wanda graduated from New Ulm High in man and the old woman actually do. In the background are their happy spaces, and large program facilities. GAHC 1912, then went on to art schools in St. Paul, wedding photos, and the picture itself feels very intimate and cozy. Gag offers several new programs based on the new Minneapolis, and New York. After a brief period uses circles in this final frame which are pleasing to the eye and suggest permanent exhibit and two new temporary exhib- doing commercial art, Wanda developed into a world- harmony. Note the circular rug, table and light emanating from the lamp on it spaces. GAHC is located at 712 West Second famous printmaker and watercolor painter. She was the table. There is a great deal of symmetry in the scene as well and the eye Street, Davenport, Iowa 52802. honored annually from 1927 to 1938 by the American notes a feeling of satisfaction and contentment. The German immigrant experience is an Institute of Graphic Artists. The handmade lettering not only fits comfortably around the illus- integral part of the history and fabric of life in In 1928, Wanda Gag wrote and illustrated trations, it also serves as a visual link between the pictures and the story.