| World / USA / Indiana / Indianapolis, 1 km from center | Coordinates: 39°46'24"N 86°9'0"W |
www.athenaeumfoundation.com/
German immigrants settled in the state of Indiana from the 1820's through the 1890's. The majority of immigrants came to the United States after the failed revolution of 1848. Known as "Forty-Eighters", this group was eager to practice their newfound political, religious and social freedoms. They brought with them the German concept of "club" life, and were quick to organize musical, political and social clubs.
By the 1890's, many of the German immigrants had become successful business, cultural and civic leaders in the Indianapolis community. To preserve their German heritage, a movement was started to unite all the German clubs under one roof. In 1892, the clubs formed a stock associated, the Sozialer Turnverein Aktiengesellschaft, to raise funds for a Club House. The Club House was named Das Deutsche Haus (The German House).
A total of $32,000 was needed to purchase the two lots at Michigan Street and New Jersey Street, where Das Deutsche Haus was to be built. The surrounding area, now known as Lockerbie Square, was a German residential area. The construction was done in two phases, starting with the East Wing, and later adding the West Wing. By 1896, $160,000 in stock capital had been raised for the construction of Das Deutsche Haus.
Construction of the East Wing was started in May of 1893, and was completed in 1894. The East Wing included a bowling alley, lecture hall, gymnasium, billiards room, formal dining area, ladies' parlor, men's barroom, library, biergarten and several small meeting rooms. The motto inscribed on the East Tower reads "Frisch, Frei, Stark & Treu" (Vibrant and Free, Strong and Loyal).
The West Wing was under construction from 1897-1898. It featured a Grand Theatre/Ballroom, a 360 seat auditorium, a large bowling alley, a bicycle storage room, and multiple clubrooms and parlors.
Bernard Vonnegut, grandfather of Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut, and Arthur Bohn designed the Athenaeum in 1893 as a place for members of local German societies to gather. Both were American-born sons of German immigrants, a culture that had a strong influence in the area around this time.
Includes YMCA and theater and Rathskellar, a German themed restaurant bar and biergarten.
Category: interesting building bar best historic heritage german indy
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