New Britain herald., 1928-04-20
Banquet and Ball to Be Features of Observance Organization of 60 Still Meets Weekly.

nlNerSarS, lnurSddy evening, Apiil .s. at it's former home, Odd Eel lows han, Arch street, with a ban quct and ball.
 The society was organized April o5, 1853, with ca charter members. All of them have died. The last survivor was Rudolph Ray of the then widely known orchestra Ray and Gussman. Tho others were: Joseph Other F. w, Erocllsicpcr Christian Burkhar,lt. Christian Wei lenfcls. Fred Schneider. Joseph Sic bert, John Ruff Fred Su"hl, Will liam Zannhrcchcr, Fred -Ahl, l., Be lair. John Braun. Carl Eurkhardt, Henry Ullrich, Joseph Ruff, Charles Walker, Herman tirklrr, Christian Schneider. John SaucrNci A. Gall witz, Carl Mueller, Philip kclslinS, Charles Devoir, l;udolph lth, Henry Ram. Peter Wilhelm. Johann Meier, Jacob Berger, George SChaaf, Chris ,lan Rehstock, Matthias Braun, John Tosz, E. kiesel. Fred Gussmsn. II, Gwatkin. F.. Dauer, Henry Holl, Conrad Meyforth, T. \. schmidt, Frank Sweet. Valentine and Louis Juengst,
 Although German In it's origin, the aociety had never made any dlstlnc- ton in nationality or religion. It's principal object was "to foster and perpetuate the German idea. of phy- eical culture" on the plan for which TuYnyster Friedrich Ludwig Iahn laid tho foundation in the year 1s1i.
 The soeiety's first meeting place vas in an old carpenter shop on Center street, while a vacant lot on North Stanley street now used as a, coal yard. served as a place for the gymnaStic exerciseA Weekly outings were held consisting mainly Of 20 to % mile walks to neishboring cities
 Besides the training of tho body and mind. the members took great interest in all public affairs and wero found most of the time in the front ranks to answer any local, stats or national appeal for chari- table assistance. With the same spirit they responded to all patriotic appeals and also showed lively interest in the political question: of the day.
 Many Entered Union Army.
 Eight years after the foundation of the society, the Civil War broke out and over half of the members immediately answered the first call of President Lincoln and took UT arms to preserve the Union. The up the spirit Of the society but tho gymnastic exercises and training came to a standstill until after the close of the war.
 In the year 1870 the society had so far recuperated that it could bring one of its most important am, bitions, the possession of it's oNl hall. to realization. Although still financially embarrassed. the mem. bers with some outside help created q fund to buy lot on Arch street and erected d building with large HA'SVupty e , SCNlu rooms and stage. The society had thereby increased its financial obi. gations and the burden on its mem, bers which was a. great obstacle 1T the developing of its ideals, but tho membership kept on increasing. tho various classes gained in the mum, Der of pupils and the singing sectior and the dramatic section also show. ed great improvement. Besides loca instructors. professional teacher, were engaged and in 1878, when tho society celebrated its 25th jubilee it was well established as an insti, tute of physical and mental training People of all walks of life of socia and political standing affiliated themselves with the Turner sociot, and many promipent citizens founc pride in having their names enrolled on the list of the socicty's member ship.
 The old Turner hall has its owr history. Being for d long time tn only large hall in the center of tn city 1t was used for many public social and educational purposes, alst for drilling exercises by the eft, militia. Now it stands in the req Of Arch street where it still serves : useful purpose as a machine ant auto shop.
 AS years went by, every branch 0 the society made progress. Tn chjldren's classes, girls and boys, re ceived physical training after a sys tematic method. People in Nev Britain today look back 10 the tim nf their childhood when they lai, tho foundation Of their health by at tending the class exercises of in Turner's society. As proof Of th training. the active turner's brough home many society as well as indi yidual prizes from the state and ma tional fold days. The dramatic cl'll also had reached sucb q high dcGre of training that it's members vcr able 10 enterta in the public once month with the hest dramatic play' equal 10 those offered by some ot th leading theatorS at that time
 New Building pcdicatcd in tat2
 In the year 9o3 the society cclc fratcd It's golden jutlce. l. vas q this time that the members came { the conclusion that Tn order to nc' the requirements of modern time the society must have more up { Gate quarters, to get modern rC suits. modern conditions 10 wor Inder were ncC"ss1ry. Tine founda ton for q new buildinr was laid h creating q building fund. In tl year 1905 the land m the rear ( Turner hall was purchased from l.. Hungerford with inc intention | transform 1t into d park with up { date training equipment for gym rastic and field exercises for the fre use of the public. Trees were plan ed and everything made in rcadln'' 10 bring this splendid idea to a sI' cess. But before the entire pl5