The War Within
June 11, 2023 |
2:00 pm -
3:00 pm
$0-5
Menu
This program will be virtual only. Register here.
FREE for GAHC&M members, $5 for non-members.
Anti-German hysteria in Iowa during World War I, already manifest in 1917, reached a linguistic crescendo in the spring of 1918, and resulted in an unprecedented assault on German identity, constitutional liberties, and ultimately the extraordinary measures taken by a German-American Lutheran congregation in far northern Iowa. Wartime zealotry, countenancing no form of German identity, culminated in an edict by the governor of Iowa restricting spoken language and consequently, for some, the free exercise of their religion. In response, the parishioners of St. Peter Lutheran in rural Mitchell County gave up the use of their church and moved Gottesdienst, German worship services, a few miles north, into Minnesota, meeting in a member’s farm grove—at night! Thomas Jefferson once observed, “I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it.” On which side of Jefferson’s alternatives shall Americans in the twenty-first century choose to stand?
Based on extensive research in century-old German congregational manuscripts, period documents, and oral history gathered decades ago, “The War Within” details a largely forgotten chapter in the history of Iowa and the life of a faithful congregation, one still capable of eliciting strong emotion and providing a sobering thought-provoking lesson on which to reflect.
About the speaker:
As a youth, Russell Baldner’s early affection for the German language and history led to B.A. and M.A. degrees in History, undergraduate and graduate study in German, and a career in education, teaching in those and related fields. The presenter first conducted serious primary source historical research in the original nineteenth-century German manuscripts of his family’s ancestral German–Lutheran congregation, of which his immigrant great-great-grandfather was a founding member. Four years later, on the first of nine sojourns in ancestral Germany, Russell lived in his ancestor’s birthplace. Baldner specializes in the history of Germany, ethnic German history and genealogy; historical documents written in Kurrentschrift, an archaic, long-abandoned and seldom-read German cursive script; and Late Prehistoric Native American archaeology. A frequent public speaker, historian and writer, Baldner’s recent publications include several nineteenth-century German Lutheran historical and manuscript studies; a three-part Introduction to the Reformation and Protestantism; and a four-part research series on the Late Prehistoric to Early Historic Native American petroglyphs and pictographs of northeast Iowa.
In September 2022, Russell and wife Cathryn co-hosted “Medieval to Modern Hearts of Germany,” a two-week group tour in northeastern Germany proposed and largely designed by Baldner in conjunction with and sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa, his alma mater. Included were pre-departure orientations by Russell focusing on Germany’s history, language, and social-cultural landscape; historical lectures and commentaries while on tour in Germany; and a renewed and welcome opportunity daily to converse in the language of his heritage.
Today is the Winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Also referred to as "Yule," it is an ancient winter festival with deep roots in Germanic cultures, originating thousands of years ago. It was traditionally celebrated around the winter solstice.
The festival`s name derives from the Old Norse "jól" and Old English "geol," both referring to a midwinter celebration. Yule was closely associated with the god Odin, who was also known as Jolnir. The celebration focused on themes of fire, light, and feasting, often featuring roasted meats due to the practice of thinning livestock in colder months.
Yule held great religious importance in Germanic paganism. It was connected to the Wild Hunt, the veneration of ancestors, and increased supernatural activity. The festival involved various traditions, including the Yule log, Yule goat, and Yule boar, which may have pre-Christian origins.
As Christianity spread across Europe, Yule began to merge with Christian traditions.
– By the 9th century, "Yule" became synonymous with Christmas in many languages.
– During the Early Middle Ages (5th to 10th century), pagan Yule rituals gradually blended with Christian narratives.
– In the High and Late Middle Ages (11th to 15th century), Yule traditions were increasingly reinterpreted through a Christian lens, though many pagan aspects persisted.
Today, Yule is celebrated by Neo-Pagans and adherents of Modern Germanic paganism, often as a separate observance from Christmas.
There is an archaeological site in Germany known as the Goseck Circle. It is significant to the winter solstice due to its precise alignment with the sunrise and sunset on this day, marking it as one of the oldest known solar observatories, dating back to around 4900 BCE. This alignment indicates that the winter solstice held considerable importance for the Neolithic people, likely serving religious or ceremonial purposes. Overall, Goseck Circle exemplifies the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of prehistoric societies and their deep connection to celestial events.
We have new beer!
“Erbe ’48” | Märzen | 5.2% ABV
Inspired by local brewing history and the German Revolution of 1848, this beer honors the heritage of German settlers in our community. Erbe translates to "heritage."
We’re excited to release Erbe ’48, (pronounced AIR-BUH) a special Märzen brewed in collaboration with @twinspanbrewing. Made specially for our Oktoberfest events earlier this Fall, we got the rest of the batch canned and ready to take home! This is a limited brew and would make a great unique gift for a German beer lover in your life.
Comes in 16 oz packs of 4 and is only available in our gift shop.
$14 for a 4-pack, GAHC+M members get a 10% discount!
#beer #german #museum #immigration #history #iowa #davenport #quadcities #gift
There are only a few days left to collect pickles! 🥒 🎄 ❄️ ⛄
Find 10 pickles to win a pickle ornament for your own tree and be entered into a drawing for a chances to win downtown gift cards and a Grand Prize Basket!
🏆 Pick up an official card at one of the participating businesses to play. Turn in your completed card into one of the following locations:
🇩🇪 German American Heritage Center (712 W. 2nd St.)
Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.,
Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.
📚 Davenport Public Library (321 N. Main St.)
Monday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
**the last day to pick up prize pickles at the GAHC+M is Sunday December 29th (while supplies last). (We are closed Dec 30th -Jan 1st).
#downtowndavenport #iowa #qc #quadcities #qcthatswhere #deckthedowntowns
We are here! Christkindlmarkt is still on. We have indoor vendors and a heated tent outdoors. Come get some delicious food and glühwein to warm up 🔥
Meet our vendors at Christkindlmarkt!
Mi Bella Resin will have resin keychains, decor, trinket boxes, & more. With a large variety of designs and colors, these make great small gifts or stocking stuffers!
Join us Saturday December 14th from 10 am – 6 pm to shop all of our wonderful vendors, purchase German food, enjoy various music throughout the day featuring Die Musikmeisters from 2-6 pm. Santa will be available for photos from 11-2, and free admission all day. Stay warm in our big tent, grab a glass of Glühwein, Bier, or Heiße Schokolade and stay cozy by our fire pits. 🔥 🍷 🍺 ☕️
Meet our vendors at Christkindlmarkt!
Trixie`s Tipsy Teapots is back with fun, unique, yard art creations. See all of her teapot designs and other arrangements featuring gnomes, florals, and more.
Join us Saturday December 14th from 10 am – 6 pm to shop all of our wonderful vendors, purchase German food, enjoy various music throughout the day featuring Die Musikmeisters from 2-6 pm. Santa will be available for photos from 11-2, and free admission all day. Stay warm in our big tent, grab a glass of Glühwein, Bier, or Heiße Schokolade and stay cozy by our fire pits. 🔥 🍷 🍺 ☕️
Meet our vendors at Christkindlmarkt!
@tiphanies_ will be serving up lots of yummy German dishes! Their menu includes, Bratwurst, Currywurst, German potato salad, Sauerbraten with spätzle and gravy (pictured 😋), potato pancakes, hot chocolate, and hot cider ☕️ .
Grab a bite to eat and enjoy your meal in our (heated!) big tent and listen to some live music.
Join us Saturday December 14th from 10 am – 6 pm to shop all of our wonderful vendors, purchase German food, enjoy various music throughout the day featuring Die Musikmeisters from 2-6 pm. Santa will be available for photos from 11-2, and free admission all day. Stay warm in our big tent, grab a glass of Glühwein, Bier, or Heiße Schokolade and stay cozy by our fire pits. 🔥 🍷 🍺 ☕️
CHRISTKINDLMARKT QUAD CITIES
🗓️ Saturday December 14th, 2024 10 am – 6 pm.
📍 712 W 2nd Street Davenport, IA 52802
This free annual event celebrates the holiday season with a focus on German heritage. Like traditional winter markets around the world, the Quad Cities Christkindlmarkt is an artisan craft and gift market with live music, local foods, and local performances.
Be sure to stop into our gift shop for authentic German glass ornaments, pyramids, smokers, nutcrackers, and more!
You will not want to miss the festivities! This is an all ages event with something fun for everyone.
🏛️ The museum is free and open to the public all day long.
🎅 Santa on-site for photos from 11 am – 2 pm
👹 Krampus will be here from 4-6!
🎶 Die Musikmeisters performing German music from 2 – 6 pm
❄️ Get Christkindlmarkt merch, try our homemade Glühwien or a German beer, and shop local vendors!
🌭 German-inspired menus from Tiphanie’s, Bayside Bistro, and the Lunchwagon.
Thank you to our sponsors Zimmerman Honda, Quad City Bank and Trust, and United Insurance Counselors for their support.
#christkindlmarkt #davenport #quadcities #christmasmarket #vendors #holiday #event #qc #qcthatswhere #iowa #midwest #museum #santa #krampus #DeckTheDowntowns
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