Germanic Culture

When the Germanic Forty-eighters arrived in Davenport, Iowa, they found a young town that consisted primarily of a population of American pioneers. There were some businesses, many farms, and a few English speaking churches.

The German immigrants brought with them many cultural facets of their homelands. They built biergartens, music venues, social clubs, and grew theatric performances in the area. Before the arrival of the Forty-eighters in Davenport, the thought of having a Sunday picnic while enjoying beer and listening to musuc was unheard of in the area. These immigrants used their culture to reshape the cultural norms of the area.

The 10 Tavern Commandments

Beer was a staple of the German diet. They consumed it with meals, and it served as a beverage for social settings as well. When Germanic people started growing in population, an editor felt it necessary to make this cartoon promoting proper tavern ettiquette for German Immigrants in America.

Beer-Garden in Grannenburg

Max Liebermann 1893

Oil on Canvas

This painting depicts what beer-gardens of the era resembled. Beer gardens were gathering places for families to go to socialize, drink, and listen to entertainement.

Beer gardens were outdoor venues where families would gather for socialization, drinking, and for entertainment. Typical beer gardens consisted of many long tables and chairs within shaded areas to keep the customers and beer cool. Prior to the immigration of the Forty-eighters into Davenport, most alcohol was consumed within saloons and considered something that men went to. The Forty-eighters changed this perception within the area. at the turn of the 20th century, there were over 100 taverns and beer gardens in the city of Davenport, Iowa.

Davenport Turn Germeind 1883

Paper

This photographs shows many of the members of the Turn Gemeind otherwise known as the Turnverein. This Turners club is where German-American members of the community would gather to excercise their body's and minds.

The Turnverein or Turn Gemeind was introduced into Davenport, Iowa by the Forty-eighters. Christian Mueller was told by a fellow immigrant shortly after they arrived in Davenport, Iowa '"ow we must organize a Turnverein right away". The first Turnverein called Der Sozialistischer Turnverein opened on August 3, 1852.

The Turnverein served as a place of learning both in the art of gynmnastics and of sociopolitical matters. Many members of the Turners were active in the revolutions in the Germanic states prior to their arrival in the United States, and contributed greatly to the war effort during the Civil War.

Old Turner Hall and Turner Hall of Davenport, Iowa

The popularity of the Turner movement and verein, which translates into 'club', grew within the German-American community. The club Quickly outgrew its original building and had to create a larger facility to house all of their events.

Paper

1887

Music

Otto's Orchestra at Schuetzenpark

1886

Courtesy of The Putnam Museum and IMAX Theater

Many orchestras and bands were formed within the city of Davenport, Iowa. This group played regularly at many venues and consisted of many Germanic immigrants and children of the immigrants.

Music was a very important facet of culture that was brought into Davenport, Iowa by the Forty-eighters. Many brought with them their own instruments from their homelands, bought new instruments when they landed, or opened up businesses to create or sell musical instruments.

One of the oldest continually operating symphonic orchestras in the United States of America, The Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra, began due to the influence of these immigrants.

Pump Organ 1800's

Pump Organ Purchased by German immigrants to Davenport, Iowa. This sort of instrument served as both a source of entertainment and as a high end piece of furniture for a parlor.

Zither c.1900

Zithers were instruments that were easily transported, and could be used to teach people to play music. The stringed instruments wer popular with the German immigrants as it could be easily stored in their trunks, and held sentamental value of their former homeland.

German-American Musicians c.1890

A quintet of musicians pose with their instruments in a parlor. Many affluent immigrants enjoyed music played in their homes during social events. Music from the great German composers was often played for the enoyment of all in attendance.