The Washington herald., 1911-10-29
COLUMBIA TURNVEREIN
TO OBSERVE ANNIVERSARY
Local Organization Was Founded Sixty Years Ago by
German Pioneers

1t will be sixty years next spring that
the Columbia Turnverein was founded
and organized by a handful OF Germans
who had left the old fatherland during
the troublous years of lS4s, when revolu-
tionary uprisings at Berlin and other
German centers all but brought the
mcnarchicai system to an end and es-
tahlishcd representative government.
Inspired by their love of freedom and
independence, principles which are the
foundation stones of the system OF gym
nastics founded by Turnvater Jahn,
about fifteen German citizens, on July
II, 1852, founded and organized what Is
to-day the Columbia Turnverein A lit
tie more than ten years afterward. on
April II. 1862, the members Of the turn
verein answered the call of President
Lincoln for volunteers. and served
throughout the civil war with great
credit as a separate German regiment.
Relics of those-days, proudly exhibited
at their hall, at 92S NJ street, consisting
of tattered battle flags, drums, muskets,
&C. form part of the invaluable treas
ures of the turnverein.
Those were uneasy times, and the
turnverein was forced by circumstances
Members were slow in joining the or
ganization. but true to the spirit of
Turnyater jain. they never surrendered
and clung tenaciOusly to promoting the
idea of teaching toNthe children in pub
lie schools the value of systematic gym
nastic training. The name of the or
ganization was changed to the Columbia
Turnverein June o. 1867, which patro-
nymic has been retained ever since.
Of IA
bia Turnverein ever since It was found
ed was to be the owner Of a home
where the ideas and teachings Of turnen.
as laid down by Turnvater jain. could
be practically demonstrated and taught.
For the realization of this hope they
struggled and toiled for many years. with
varied success Sometimes the goal
seemed to be within reach, only to have
something unexpected turn up to upset
all plans. Sometimes the fault was to
be found with the members themselves.
Factions arose, and harmonious action
to bring about practical results were de-
feated. But light came at last, and the
long -wished-for home is now a reality.
only not in all completeness.
On January Il. 1902 f. F. Mann. sec
retary Of the Columbia Turnverein.
bought for this organization the house
northwest, for $50, 800 The building is a
three-story and mansard roof brick
house, has a frontage Of 64 feet by
depth of 12O feet including the surround
ing lot, and was built shortly after the
war by John r. Elvans, at that time one
Of the leading hardware merchants OF
this city.
After his death, the property passed
into the hands Of Capt. George H.
Plant, prominent in building, steamboat,
and banking enterprises in this city,
who sold It to Samuel Norment, president
of the Central National Bank. who left
the property to his widow, who in turn
disposed of the same to E F. Mann,
the secretary OF the turnverein. There
is an alley on the side and in the rear
of the property, and II includes a big
brick stable, which faces the rear alley
and has been fixed up as a temporary
gymnasium. The property contains 1850
square feet.
Since taking possession OF the prop
erty almost three years ago. the Turn
verein has not only made many improve
ments in the property, so as to make 1t
answer best for their purposes, but its
list has increased and now
includes not only the best-known Ger
man citizens of Washington, but many
Americans, who have be-
come fully imbued with the benefits to
be derived from actively taking part in
the exercises Of the Turnvereln.
More than that, a German language
school has been established, where chill
dren may learn the language of the
fatherland free of charge. 1t is one of
the principles of turnen that the educa-
tion Of the mind must keep even step
with the education of the body. In this
school the idea and benefits to be derived
from systematic gymnastic training are
instiIled into the youthful mind, thereby
creating new and young recruits for the
cause of the turner's. Nor do the women
of the society stand back They also have
their organization which is of the great
est assistance to the society in arrang-
ing celebrations, entertainments, teach
ing, &C. There is also a "Baeren Riege,"
a section of older turner's, but not too
old to take their exercises at stated
evenings in the gymnasium. thereby Civ
ing the young people a good example.
There was only one thing lacking to-
make this institution an ideal place for
the purpose for which it was organized,
and that was an up-to-date, fully
equipped gymnasium. Committees have
been active for many months trying to
arouse enthusiasm and collect funds for
the erection of this much-needed gym
nasium. Their efforts were to bear fruit
as was shown at a recent meeting of