Kretsch, whose family has lived in the New Ulm area for seven generations, says the community feels like home since he discovered his roots through the German-Bohemian Society. A lot of my relatives are here. The Turners, as followers were commonly called, laid out the town with broad avenues and symmetrical streets, numerous parks, and plenty of space for the homes and gardens still evident today. Turner Halle was a part of the original town design as a social and cultural site for banquets, dances, lectures, and gymnastics instruction. The original wooden building burned down, but it was rebuilt with brick in 1865 and now hosts gymnastics training for area children.
Researchers come from all over to study the history of our community design.
Over the years, New Ulm has maintained strong ties with its namesake in Germany. Officials from Ulm and New Ulm remain in contact through a Sister City program. Young professionals participate in a cultural exchange facet of the program, living with host families as they learn about their sister city. They find a lovely American town full of friendly people. New Ulm is home to 18 churches serving numerous faiths, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and such manufacturers as 3M Corp. and Kraft Foods.