• Preserve, perpetuate and nurture the Swiss traditions, heritage and culture that were brought to Monroe and Green County by its Swiss forebearers.
• Preserve and maintain the Turner Hall building as is appropriate and consistent with its status as a listing on the National and Wisconsin Registers of Historic Places.
• Oversee the use and operation of the Turner Hall building, with particular emphasis on and encouragement of those events, activities, etc. which support the promotion of Swiss heritage.
• Continue to offer the Turner Hall building as a venue for public events and meetings.

While New Glarus, which is about 15 miles north of Monroe, is the actual Swiss colony in Green County, large numbers of Swiss from primarily the German-speaking regions of Switzerland steadily continued to immigrate to all parts of Green County, particularly the Monroe area. Although the last major wave of Swiss immigration to south-central Wisconsin ended in the 1950s, the influence of the Swiss throughout Green County is still strongly felt and seen yet today. In Monroe, one of the most visible and still viable evidences of the Swiss is the Turner Hall.

The Turner Hall derives its name from the German word for gymnast, which is Turner. The first Turnhalle was built by Swiss immigrants in 1868 on the same site as the current Turner Hall. (Painting of the original structure at the right.) Originally a place for the Swiss to practice gymnastics and preserve their Swiss traditions, it also soon became a center of community activities and was often referred to as the "opera house".

On Labor Day of 1936, the original structure burned to the ground. Almost immediately, plans were begun to build the present Turner Hall, which was designed by German architect Max Hamisch and completed in 1938.

Although there are many German Turner Halls throughout the country, it is believed that this Turner Hall is the only one of Swiss origin left in the United States. The building itself, a Swiss Emmental-style chalet, has been listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places since 1982. Its authentically Old World interior houses many irreplaceable paintings and Swiss artifacts as well as exemplary examples of Bauernmalerei (Swiss folk painting.)

The Turner Hall continues to be a vital place for nurturing Swiss heritage through its many Swiss-related events and activities, as well as a venue for concerts, dances, receptions, and a host of other community events. Long known for being a place Where Old and New Worlds Meet, legendary Swiss musicians such as the Moser Brothers, Rudy Burkhalter (pictured at left), Martha Bernet-Zumstein, Betty Kneubuehl Vetterli and Geni Good and his Glarner Oberkrainer have been well-known to Turner Hall audiences. Until recently, Turner Hall had been synonymous with the teaching, practicing and performing of gymnastics in Monroe. A Turner Hall gymnast, Marie (Blumer) Hoesly Herbert, competed in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.

Its rich history also includes personal appearances by Susan B. Anthony, William Jennings Bryan, John F. Kennedy, and big band names such as Wayne King, Tiny Hill and Lawrence Welk. (At right, Senator John F. Kennedy greets Monroe's Spencer E. Bowen at Turner Hall in 1960 during his campaign for the presidency.)

In recent years, the entire building...the authentic Old World Ratskeller, the beautiful upstairs ballroom and stage, the gym, and bowling lanes...has undergone loving renovation. Turner Hall's volunteers and sponsors work tirelessly to support and maintain this landmark gem and treasure of Swiss heritage.

Turner Hall of Monroe, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) Non-Profit and Wisconsin Chapter 181 Corporation that is governed, run and supported by the membership of the following four organizational sub-sections:

• New World Swiss Club
  The newest of the four member organizations, the New World Swiss Club is an opportunity for anyone, regardless of ancestry, to support Turner Hall and Swiss heritage. Current activites include a monthly dinner event in the Ratskeller Restaurant and the publication of a quarterly newsletter for members. Click on the underlined name above for more information about the New World Swiss Club, including past newsletters and how to become a member.

• Monroe Swiss Singers
  Established in 1963 with 19 immigrants, this mixed choir, which specializes in choral and instrumental Swiss folklore music, now numbers over 50 singers, many of whom are native Swiss or descendents of Swiss immigrants to Green County. Turner Hall is the group's home and headquarters. For more information about the Monroe Swiss Singers, click on the underlined name above.

• Foreign-Type Cheesemakers Association
  This organization represents almost all of the area's cheese factories and cheesemakers, many of whom are descendents of immigrant Swiss who were Green County's early cheesemakers. Its milk testing lab is adjacent to Turner Hall.

• Swiss-American Gymnastics Club
  Formerly known as the Turn und Schwing Club, this is the group from which Turner Hall derives its name: Turner is the German word for gymnast. The Turners built the first Turner Hall in 1868 and have had a long history and association with Turner Hall in the teaching and practicing of gymnastics. The group's members are currently inactive.
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  2008 Executive Board Members

  
  

  President	Gregory J. Smith
  Vice-President	Sharon Streiff
  Secretary	Sherry Anderegg
  Treasurer	Sherri Perdue
  Directors	Delbert Heins John Waelti Steve Esser Bert Digman Earl Brockman

  Any board member may be contacted by sending an
  e-mail to
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  How You Can Help
  Like many non-profits, the challenge of meeting Turner Hall's financial needs and goals is on-going. Turner Hall depends largely on its membership and outside donations to survive. Not long ago, Turner Hall, which has been a fixture and landmark in southern Wisconsin since 1868, came uncomfortably close to no longer existing. As the only Turner Hall of Swiss origin left in the United States, that would have been a terrible loss.

  To that end, the Turner Hall Foundation was recently established to ensure that the doors of Turner Hall will always remain open to the community and to those who embrace their Swiss roots, regardless of birthplace or residence.

  Gifts to the Turner Hall Foundation are welcome at any time, and can even be part of your estate planning. At present, a fund drive is being conducted to retire the current debt. To make a donation, or for more information, please write:

  Turner Hall Foundation
  1217 17th Avenue
  PO Box 762
  Monroe, WI 53566
  or e-mail:
  SwissHall@TurnerHallofMonroe.org
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