the vigilant - Hermann Monument Society

The Vigilant Vol. 2.1 (Feb 2013)
February 2013
Volume 2, Issue 1
T HE V IGILANT
Newsletter of The Hermann Monument Society
P.O. Box 643 10 Monument Street New Ulm, MN 546073 USA
Hermann Monument Society Library
and Archive Grows
by George Glotzbach
Since its founding in 2006 the Hermann Monument Society's (HMS) mission has been to
conserve, interpret, promote, and develop the
magnificent Hermann Monument in New Ulm,
Minnesota. It is on the National Register of
Historic Places. Hermann (Arminius in Latin)
assembled a coalition of Germanic tribes and
drove the Romans out of North Central Europe in 9 A. D., thus establishing early Germanic freedom and unity. HMS established
its Library and Archive in April 2010 and it
has been growing rapidly ever since.
HMS has assembled a large and varied collection of materials, all relating to Hermann and
the Monument. These historic and valuable
materials are inventoried, categorized, and
organized into a cohesive collection. An
overview shows:
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9 Commemorative dishes and ribbon
from the 1897 dedication of the Monument
64 File folders of official HMS records
since its founding
15 Books in English
17 Books in German
15 Magazines and pamphlets in English
9 Magazines and pamphlets in German
68 Memorabilia items
35 Posters, charts, and documents
http://www.hermannmonument.com/
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
HMS Library and Archives
1
Eternal Vigilance
1
HMS Annual Meeting 2013
2
Hermann & Thusnelda at Winterfest
3
Notes and News
4
An Enduring Symbol
by Denny Warta
The 106th Congress of the United States designated the
Hermann Monument at New Ulm, Minnesota “as a national
symbol of the contributions of Americans of German
heritage.” (U. S. Senate—April 13, 200)
The transfer of the Hermann Monument to the
public domain was in itself a symbolic act. As children of immigrants are assimilated into the nation
and transfer the strength of their heritage to it,
Hermann has also become part of the national fabric. The richness of this heritage has bonded with
the multi-national peoples who became native to
America. The unique experiment of peoples from
diverse origins living together under one form of
government, tested so often in the history of the
world, worked.
Passing from ancient legend to modern symbol,
Hermann highlights the enduring and most delicate function of the government — the function of
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The Vigilant Vol. 2.1 (Feb 2013)
HMS Board of Directors
Executive Director
Chairman
dedication memorabilia: plates, cups and a ribbon. Preliminary plans were presented for an August 17, 2013 celebration observing the 125th
Anniversary of laying the cornerstone for building the Hermann Monument.
Wendy Enter
Tom Furth
Susan Fix
Park & Rec Liaison
Members at Large
Tom Schmitz
Following the meeting, members watched a video, “HMS Highlights of 2012.” The slide presentation was dedicated to Ruth Berndt, granddaughter of Julius Berndt
Sr., the architect and
builder of the New Ulm’s
Hermann Monument. Cpt.
Ruth Berndt (Ret.) had
served as an army nurse in
WWII and was the oldest
veteran in Brown County.
Ruth Berndt was a lifetime
honorary HMS member.
She passed away April 1,
2012, just two months
shy of her 102nd birthday.
Ms. Berndt was proud of
Ruth A. Bernt
her grandfather’s legacy
and left a bequest of near- July 14, 1908—April 1, 2012
ly $54,000 to the Hermann Monument Society. The Board of Directors
invited HMS member input for use of this wonderful gift.
Arlon Schmid
Terry Dempsey
Denny Warta
George Glotzbach
Konnie Bartels
Brian Filzen
Keith Wessel
Joe Meyer
Jared Peterson
HMS HOSTS 7TH ANNUAL MEETING
NEW ULM- The Hermann Monument Society
hosted its 7th Annual Meeting at the New Ulm
Country Club. Following the social hour, a short
election meeting was held. Joseph Meyer and
Jared Peterson were newly elected to the HMS
Board of Directors. Incumbent directors reelected included: Konnie Bartels, Terry Dempsey, Brian Filzen, Sue Fix, Tom Furth, Arlon
Schmid and Keith Wessel. Hermann (Bryce
Boelter) and Thusnelda (Exec. Director, Wendy
Enter) greeted HMS members.
The HMS cordially invites new members to join
the organization in its mission to develop, interpret, promote and conserve the Hermann Monument as a national landmark recognizing the
contributions of Germanic-Americans. At the
close of the evening, HMS members enjoyed
viewing the new “Germans Have More Fun” Hermann bobble-head commercial.
Appreciation was expressed to Gordon & Jeanette Dey for their gift of original cornerstone/
Tom Furth was
elected HMS Board
Chair for a second
term.
We’re on the Web!
Visit us at:
www.hermannmonument.com
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The Vigilant Vol. 2.1 (Feb 2013)
(ARCHIVES Continued from page 1)
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Hermann, Thusnelda, and Narren at
Winterfest
50 Photographs and postcards
23 Original badges, corporate seals, and
publications of the Order of Hermann's Sons
6 Audio compact discs
9 Video cassettes
13 Discs of photographs
12 Digital video discs
These items range in age from 1870, even before
the Hermannsdenkmal (Hermann's Monument)
was dedicated in Detmold, Germany in 1875, to as
recently as January 2013. Numerous of these 345
items are on display in the Interpretive Center in
the Monument. The remainder are in a locked
cabinet in a secure area of New Ulm's City
Hall. The Society's Articles of Incorporation provide that in the event of dissolution, HMS' assets
shall be distributed to the City of New Ulm for a
public purpose.
Access to the collection is available to HMS members, and to qualified researchers, by contacting
Mr. George L. Glotzbach, 907 Cottonwood Street,
New Ulm, MN 56073 USA, phone (507) 354-2097,
or Ms. Lisa Pelzel, City Hall, 100 North Broadway,
New Ulm, MN 56073 USA, phone (507) 359-8233.
ST. PAUL—New Ulm was well-represented at
Winterfest in the capital on Jan. 26 by the
“German crew” from New Ulm. The GermanAmerican Institute hosted the annual celebration on their beautiful mansion grounds
on Summit Ave. in St.
Paul. Festivities included music, dancing, German cuisine,
Glühwein and specialty beers. Hermann, Thusnelda,
and the Narren greeted and entertained
visitors in the tent
and outdoors amid
warm fires. The Narren, Hermann &
Thusnelda posed for
a National Geographic magazine photo,
highlighting a 2014, four-season story on
the Twin Cities. The Narren were also featured in St. Paul Winter Carnival activities in
Rice Park.
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At left is a rare picture
of the original scale
model of New Ulm’s
Hermann Monument,
taken prior to the beginning of construction . Nothing is currently known of this
model — where it is,
or even if it still exists.
This model is estimated to be about 8-9 feet
tall. Note the design of
the lions — different
from the current statues on the monument.
Photo from the archives of the Hermann
Monument Society.
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the sword. The sword, when rightly used,
has a humble and unpretentious service, not
for assault, but for defense and protection.
Government carries the sword, on alert, to
curb rash outbursts of injustice and tyranny.
Lady Liberty in the Harbor with torch upraised welcomed huddled masses yearning
for freedom to live under the protection of a
constitution guaranteed by a Bill of Rights.
Hermann on the Prairie with sword in hand
reminds the generations of a simple truth of
governance:
Eternal Vigilance is the
Price of Liberty
The Vigilant Vol. 2.1 (Feb 2013)
The Hermann Monument Society
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
New Ulm, MN
Permit No. 78
10 Monument Street
P.O. Box 643
New Ulm, MN 56073 USA
CHANGE OF ADDRESS REQUESTED
Notes and News
More Donations to HMS Archives
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At the February
meeting of the
HMS Board, George
Glotzbach produced this stein,
recently donated to
HMS, and provided
the following description:
From Exec. Dir. Wendy Enter’s Feb 2013
report: “Herman and Thusnelda and the wooden
coins are making a difference! As of Jan. 25, 2013,
HMS website hits were 22,244. By Feb. 2, they had
increased to 22,591. This increase follows appearances at the Annual Meeting (1/24) and the St. Paul Winterfest (1/26), where Hermann and Thusnelda handed
out wooden coins. That’s a 347 hit increase in nine
days. Wow!”
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"Beer stein featuring Hermann made
in Germany for a
New Ulm retailer,
donated to HMS by
the Wanda Gag
House Association
of New Ulm".
Joint Celebration Being Planned for Summer
2013: HMS has begun planning a joint celebration,
currently scheduled for late summer, with the New
Ulm Battery, which is observing its 150th anniversary
this year. 2013 also marks the 125th anniversary of
the laying of the cornerstone for the Hermann Monument. Look for more information in the upcoming
months. Committee planning is already underway!
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