The War Within
June 11, 2023 |
2:00 pm -
3:00 pm
$0-5
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 Baldner specializes in the history of Germany, ethnic German history and genealogy; historical documents written in Kurrentschrift, an archaic, long-abandoned and seldom-read German cursive script; and Late Prehistoric Native American archaeology.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.
Haven`t been to the museum before or has it been a while? Need something to do with out-of-town guests or kids on summer break? We are thrilled to offer FREE ADMISSION for the entire month of July!
With new exhibitions including, "German Expressionist Prints," and "The Prints of David and Sarojini Johnson," along with our permanent exhibition, "The German Immigrant Experience," there is something for all ages and interest levels. Or just come take a look out of our 4th floor windows and take in a beautiful view of downtown Davenport and the Mississippi River.
Thank you to Cal and Jill Werner for making Free Admission in July possible.
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Wow!
In 2024, we raised over $41,000 through Birdies for Charity! As of June 25, 2025, we have just over $34,000 pledged to the GAHC+M through Birdies for charity. Our goal for this year is to reach $42,000.
If you have already given, we express our sincere gratitude for your gift this year. If you have not given yet, consider giving a gift in any amount to help support our mission and ensure we are here for generations to come.
If you give through Birdies for Charity by July 4th, your gift will be matched 5-10%, adding to the impact you can make for present and future generations.
HOW TO DONATE:
MAIL – Send us a check made out to "Birdies for Charity"
ONLINE – Visit https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate?charity=1002#/
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Cruise the Historic Rhine June 2026!
This is the LAST CHANCE to book our river cruise trip with FREE AIRFARE from the Quad Cities Airport. This offer is only good through Monday June 30th, 2025. There are still a few spaces left, but the free air offer expires tomorrow.
Contact Linda Meadors from Blue Horizon Travel at 309-235-5806 or [email protected].
For 10 days, cruise along the beautiful Rhine from Amsterdam to Lucerne, exploring all of the history, landscapes, cultures, and more on a gorgeous Emerald Cruise Star Ship.
Learn more about the trip and see the full itinerary here: https://gahc.org/travel/
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Our Historic Summer Walking Tours kickoff this weekend! Our tours start downtown at our historic building and explore the homes and businesses of the German immigrants who lived and worked here. Learn their stories, explore history of Davenport, and appreciate the amazing architecture of the Gold Coast homes.
Tours are $10 per person and are around 1.5 miles over a 2 hour time span. Register online in our bio or call 563-322-8844.
Upcoming tour dates:
June 14, 28
July 12, 26
August 9, 23
https://events.humanitix.com/summer-walking-tours
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Downtown Davenport Lemonade Sip N` Shop:
🍋 Saturday, May 31 in Downtown Davenport. Stroll through locally loved shops, enjoy refreshing lemonade and take advantage of special deals at participating businesses.
🛍️ The museum will be open 10 am – 4 pm and visitors can get 10% off any gift shop purchase! (Members get 20%)!
We have lots of neat gifts and goods from Germany. Also, all of our merchandise is tax-free! Funds generated from sales go back to supporting the museum`s mission. Check out our selection of beer, canvas tote bags, kitchen and home decor, books, games, and much more.
Learn more here: https://www.downtowndavenport.com/blog-news/lemonade-sip-n-shop
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We are a proud participant in Blue Star Museums which offers free admission for active military and their immediate families. The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and run through Labor Day, September 1, 2025.
Come view our exhibitions, attend a Kaffee und Kuchen program, and more. Check out all of the participating museums here: https://www.arts.gov/blue-star-museums-map
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Enjoy our seasonal guided tours of the museum! Our next tour is this Saturday, May 17th at 11:00 am.
The tour is open to the public and included with regular admission.
View our admission rates: https://gahc.org/admission-2/
Tour begins at 11:00 am in the lobby. No RSVP required. The tour will last until approximately 12:30.
Visitors will explore our permanent exhibition, The German Immigrant Experience, along with our two rotating galleries.
The tour is open to all ages. We have children’s activity kits and sensory kits available at the front desk for visitors to use for free during their visit.
Learn more on our website: https://gahc.org/events/guided-museum-tour/
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