Photo Gallery

germanamericanheritagecenter

In honor of Women's History Month March's Deutsche

In honor of Women's History Month March's Deutscher Donnerstag will highlight famous German women who, whether they knew it or not, left their mark on history. We start off with Cornelia Funke, the author of the world famous Inkheart book trilogy, a fantasy and adventure book series that has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Funke was born in Dorstein, North Rhein-Westphalia in 1959. She began her career as a social worker before moving to illustrating children's books. She began writing novels in the 1980s and focused on the fantasy genre, often writing about children facing adversity. She is considered Germany's best selling author for children.

Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your German Lesson of the

Happy Anniversary! Enjoy your German Lesson of the Week! #gahcqc

Hey college students! Looking for something fun to

Hey college students! Looking for something fun to do and add to your resume? The GAHC is looking for student interns this summer to help with our Summer Walking Tours!

If you want to get involved, please reach out to the Assistant Director, Erika Holshoe at erika@gahc.org or 563.322.8844

Today's PopKultur Monday marks the beginning of Wo

Today's PopKultur Monday marks the beginning of Women's History Month! Join us on social media as we commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American and German history.
Franka Potente is the first pop culture frau to kick off our commemoration of Women's History Month. Born in Muenster, West Germany, Potente spent part of her high school years studying in Texas. Upon the finishing of her high school studies, she began acting. Her breakthrough as red-headed Lola in the 1998 German experimental thriller "Lola rennt" (Run, Lola, Run!) led to the film's nomination at the 71st Academy Awards.

You can see Potente in films like The Bourne Identity, Anatomy, Romulus, My Father, and the Conjuring 2. And on TV in shows like Psych, American Horror Story: Asylum, Dark Matter, and Claws.

#popkulturmondays #PopKultur #gahcqc #german #germanamerican #frankapotente #film #movies #lolarennt #runlolarun #oscars #academyawards #actressFrank

********************************************************
PopKultur Mondays is a weekly social media campaign that aims to give our audience a taste of German pop culture.
If you have recommendations or requests for topics for future PopKultur Mondays, please DM this account!

Spring feels like it may be on the way... While we

Spring feels like it may be on the way... While we wait for the snow to melt, stay cozy and warm at home with a virtual program on Senator Everett Dirksen.

Join us Sunday, Feb. 28 at 2pm on eventbrite.com as Tiffany White, the Executive Director of the Dirksen Senator, talks to us about the life and legacy of civil rights advocate and German immigrant Everett Dirksen.

Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to sign up directly for this program on eventbrite.com.

This program is free, but donations are welcome.

Please note that unlike previous virtual programs, this event will be streamed through Eventbrite.com. The link to the program will be emailed to you through Eventbrite- so keep an eye on your e-mailbox.

For questions regarding virtual programming, contact us at info@gahc.org or 563.322.8844

Happy Thursday! Looking for more information about

Happy Thursday! Looking for more information about the Afro-German experience? Check out Deutsche Welle's documentary Afro.Germany where Afro-Germans discuss their experiences living in a predominantly white country and the discrimination they face. #afro.germany #gahcqc

Ever wondered how you could sign up for our free v

Ever wondered how you could sign up for our free virtual programming? We're here to tell you it's super easy!

All programs are run exclusively through Eventbrite. Use Eventbrite to register, get reminders, and attend our programs!

Visit our Eventbrite page to browse our program offerings and register. Scan the QR code with your phone's camera to be directed straight to our Eventbrite page.

Need help using Eventbrite? We've got you covered! Email us or give us a ring with your questions.

We are now accepting appointments for in-person walk throughs of Eventbrite software, so you can become an Eventbrite expert- schedule your appointment by email or phone.

Email: info@gahc.org
Phone: 563.322.8844

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo Number 5! Did

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mambo Number 5! Did you know that the performer of the iconic late 90s tune "Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of...)" is Afro-German?

Lou Bega grew up in Munich Germany with his Sicilian mother and Ugandan father. He started his career as a rapper and eventually discovered Latin music, which would heavily influence his musical styling. "Mambo No. 5" earned him a Grammy award.

#afrogerman #germanamerican #popculture #popkultur #blackhistorymonth #afrodeutsch #poc #loubega #mambonumber5 #gahcqc #germanamericanheritagecenter

********************************************************
PopKultur Mondays is a weekly social media campaign that aims to give our audience a taste of German pop culture.

If you have recommendations or requests for topics for future PopKultur Mondays, please DM this account!

Hey Folks! We are changing up how we run our virtu

Hey Folks! We are changing up how we run our virtual events. We hope that this new process will makes things a bit easier for our patrons and our staff.

All virtual events will be run directly through Eventbrite.com. It's super easy to use! Just sign in or create an account to register for any of our virtual events.

Use the link in bio to get sent directly to our eventbrite page 🙂

Once you have chosen your event, simply click on the event of your choice. You will be taken to the event's page. Then click "register" on that page.

You can select a free ticket or offer a donation of an amount of your choice. We are pleased to offer our events free of charge and greatly appreciate any donation. Please note that if you choose to offer a donation, you will be directed to provide a payment method.

Once you are all registered, Eventbrite will email you a confirmation email, which will include a link to the event. Eventbrite will send reminders via email- so you don't forget! All of these emails will include links to the event.

On the date/time of the event, simply click on the link provided by eventbrite in the aforementioned emails. You will be directed to eventbrite, where you will be able to view our live streamed event. You may be directed to sign into your eventbrite account.

It's as simple as that! If you have any questions, please email us at info@gahc.org or call 563.322.8844

Our next program is on the life and legacy of Senator Everett Dirksen: February 28th at 2pm. Hope to see you there!

It's Thursday and that means it's Deutscher Donner

It's Thursday and that means it's Deutscher Donnerstag! During the 1720s, Ghana-born Anton Wilhelm Amo was sponsored by a German duke to become the first African to attend a European university; after completing his studies, he taught and wrote in philosophy. He's even been commemorated with his own Google Doodle!

Helau, alle! Heute ist Ashermittwoch- it’s Ash W

Helau, alle! Heute ist Ashermittwoch- it’s Ash Wednesday. We have reached the end of Fasching 2021. Ashermittoch marks the beginning of Lent on the Catholic calendar- a time which encourages believers to become more solemn in their religious observance in preparation for Easter.

To end our Fasching festivities with a bang, we wanted to highlight the Tanzmariechen. Literally meaning “little dancing Marie’s,” Tanzmariechen refers to the groups of traditional dancers who perform during Fasching celebrations all over Germany. They are known for their high kicks, acrobatic flair, and matching military uniforms.

We hope you have enjoyed our virtual celebrations of Fasching here at GAHC. Til next year!

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!

Today is Mardi Gras in the US, but in Germany it’s Fasnachtsdienstag of Fasching 2021. These witches may look like they belong in Halloween, but Hexen (witches) are a common sighting in the Germanic celebrations of Fasching.

Historians and anthropologists aren’t quite sure how this trend started, but the presence of witches at Fasching festivities dates back to the Middle Ages.

The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, a parade of witches bring a straw effigy of “Fasnet” (the foolish spirit) is tossed into a large communal fire. The witches dance around it and throw their brooms into it.

This signals the end of the foolish Fasching merriment.

***************************************************
It's Fasching at the German American Heritage Center. Celebrate with us on social media every day through February 16th.

Make a Fasching mask craft: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139988311809

It’s tough right now, our kids are stuck at home

It’s tough right now, our kids are stuck at home and we are all restless. Treat your kids to a fun free craft with the GAHC’s Fasching kid’s craft!
Kids will learn all about the German holiday “Fasching,” learn new words in German and create their own Fasching mask using supplies commonly found at home. While they get crafty, you learn with them... or take a break from the chaos 🙂
Link in bio for craft.

We are hoping to provide more virtual programs for kids- so let us know what you think of this craft. Your feedback helps us improve!

Alaaf! Today is Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday, of Fa

Alaaf! Today is Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday, of Fasching 2021. Rosenmontag takes place on Shrove Monday of the pre-Lent season and is the highpoint of German Carnival. Parades filled with ornate floats proceed down the streets of major cities in Germany on Rosenmontag. The most notable parades are in Mainz, Koeln (Cologne), and Duesseldorf.

Join us and the @dankhausgerman today at 4:30 for the virtual presentation: "Fascinating Fasching" to learn more about this topsy turvy holiday. Register online here: https://dankhaus.com/Events

***************************************************
It's Fasching at the German American Heritage Center. Celebrate with us on social media every day through February 16th.

Make a Fasching mask craft: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139988311809

Join us for a presentation on the regional celebrations of Fasching: https://dankhaus.com/Events

While the world takes today to celebrate the love

While the world takes today to celebrate the love of their special someone, it’s only Tulpensonntag (tulip Sunday) of Fasching 2021! No Fasching celebration would be complete without the Büttenrede- or jester’s speech.

In German, rede means speech and bütt refers to a barrel shaped stage- where the büttenrede is made. The büttenrede is a comical speech which recaps the year and touches on society, politics, the world.
The büttenrede is made by a Büttenredner, who delivers the speech from memory. It’s not uncommon for the büttenrede to be presented by an ensemble. The büttenrede is broadcast on TV!

Watch the 2015 Butterede from Koln (Cologne) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE1BV7TCv48

***************************************************
It's Fasching at the German American Heritage Center. Celebrate with us on social media every day through February 16th.

Make a Fasching mask craft: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139988311809

Join us for a presentation on the regional celebrations of Fasching:https://dankhaus.com/Events

Helau! Alaaf! Ahoi! It's Nelkensamstag (Carnation

Helau! Alaaf! Ahoi! It's Nelkensamstag (Carnation Saturday) of Fasching 2021. If you join Fasching festivities in any region, you may hear a "narrenruf"- or jester's call- being shouter. The narrenruf varies from region to region and is a silly greeting used just for Fasching. Below are some common narrenrufs and their associated regions:

Helau: Düsseldorf
Alaaf: Cologne
Ahoi: Baden
Wau Wau: Nettersheim, Alzey-Weinheim, Bayreuth
Narro-Narro: Schwabia-Allemania

***************************************************
It's Fasching at the German American Heritage Center. Celebrate with us on social media every day through February 16th.

Make a Fasching mask craft:

Join us for a presentation on the regional celebrations of Fasching:

Helau! Alaaf! Ahoi! It's Nelkensamstag (Carnation

Helau! Alaaf! Ahoi! It's Nelkensamstag (Carnation Saturday) of Fasching 2021. If you join Fasching festivities in any region, you may hear a "narrenruf"- or jester's call- being shouter. The narrenruf varies from region to region and is a silly greeting used just for Fasching. Below are some common narrenrufs and their associated regions:
Helau: Düsseldorf
Alaaf: Cologne
Ahoi: Baden
Wau Wau: Nettersheim, Alzey-Weinheim, Bayreuth
Narro-Narro: Schwabia-Allemania

***************************************************
It's Fasching at the German American Heritage Center. Celebrate with us on social media every day through February 16th.

Make a Fasching mask craft: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139988311809

Join us for a presentation on the regional celebrations of Fasching:https://dankhaus.com/Events

Helau! It’s Rußiger Freitag (sooty Friday) of F

Helau! It’s Rußiger Freitag (sooty Friday) of Fasching 2021! During Fasching, the rules are turned upside down and people are allowed to be whoever they want. This is why in the streets of Germany during Fasching you will see costumes and masks of all sorts- both traditional and store bought.

Traditional costumes and masks are handmade and often passed down through families- which means you can’t buy them at Walmart! The wearers of these costumes and masks often have a particular role in Fasching festivities that is passed down through generations.

One example are the Maschkera- these are men tasked with scaring away the demons of winter. While their identities are unknown, they can be identified by the traditional wooden masks they don.
***************************************************
It's Fasching at the German American Heritage Center. Celebrate with us on social media every day through February 16th.

Make a Fasching mask craft: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/139988311809

Join us for a presentation on the regional celebrations of Fasching: https://dankhaus.com/Events

Load More... Follow on Instagram