News: First National German-American Heritage Center of the USA
February 7th, 2008 | German Heritage in the U.S. |WASHINGTON, DC (January 31, 2008) - The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHF) has taken positive steps forward to establish the first national German-American Heritage Center of the USA in downtown Washington, DC. German-Americans from all around the country through their generous donations are making the Heritage Center possible; they have raised $1.75 million in contributions and pledges, so far.
The center will be located at Hockemeyer Hall, a spectacular 1888 Victorian townhouse, known to be one of the most distinctive and historically significant buildings in its neighborhood. The Agreement of Purchase and Sale was finally signed in early November. The closing of Hockemeyer Hall by the GAHF in expected around June 2008.
Having already renovated the exterior of Hockemeyer Hall, the GAHF is looking forward to bringing this historic building back to life for the community of Americans of German-speaking ancestry,that helped shape this country. Originally built by John Hockemeyer, a successful German merchant, Hockemeyer Hall was later expanded to become a businessmen’s club in 1893. It is therefore fitting that it now becomes the home of the German-American Heritage Center of the USA.
Permanent exhibits at the Heritage Center will focus on Immigration, Migration, Jamestown and Germantown to name a few, plus there will be rotating exhibits from around the country. The achievements of German immigrants and their influence in politics, business and culture will be presented. Programs will be developed with leading experts to highlight our rich history.
The total cost for Hockemeyer Hall is approximately $2.1 million. This amount includes the cost for the building with exterior and interior renovations as well as closing costs. To cover the difference between the cost and what has been collected two benefactors have committed to provide repayable loans. This ensures the purchase of the building. Fundraising efforts will need to continue to repay the loan, provide furnishings, establish an endowment of $500,000 to maintain the facility and fund programs and exhibits.
All Americans of German-speaking ancestry are urged to support this project financially. Contributors of $25,000 or more will have their name engraved on the Center’s Wall of Honor. All donations of $100 or more will be listed in a leather-bound book archived at the Center.
More information about the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA can be found at www.gahfusa.org, or they can be contacted toll-free at 866-868-8422.
About the German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHF):
The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA (GAHF), chartered as the United German-American Committee of the USA, Inc. (UGAC), is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
Hello, I’m not sure if this is the right place or not, but I will start here with my request for help with some research. If this is not the correct place to submit my reqest, please contact me with the proper address to contact. Thank you.
I am the curator for a log cabin historic site in the town of Frohna, MO. It is a German settlement from 1839 when 600+ immigrants from Saxony Germany settled here. As the curator I tell the story of the family that lived on our site and about the life of the Saxons as they “reinvented themselves” from German citizens to American pioneers. Our site supports that story with the log cabin houses that we have, the tools and examples of the skills and trades they brought with them shared throughout the property.
My question is, where do I look to find out what Germany - that particular part, Saxony - was like before they immigrated. I’d like to know for myself and so I am accuartely telling the story of what kind of a life the immigrants lived and ultimately sacrificed when they decided to come to America. I’m not sure where to look or what kind of question to submit to online search engine sites that will give me a more direct answer.
Thank you for whatever help or directions you are able to send to me. It will help to complete the story being told on our tours and give our visitors something to make it all come to life. I look forward to saving this site and referring back to it often as I continue to learn all I can to do my job.
Blessings always. Lynda
A good place to start may be with the websites of the German states Sachsen and Sachsen-Anhalt, possibly also Thueringen. There may be links there to historical societies etc.