Turner Hall of Monroe
Monroe, Wisconsin
Who We Are
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Turner Hall of Monroe, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) Non-Profit and Wisconsin Chapter 181 Corporation. Its purpose is to:
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 innovative German architect, Max Hanisch, 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 grand hall 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.
e-mail to Board @ TurnerHallofMonroe.org
To that end, fund drives have taken place 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 of Monroe are welcome at any time, and can even be part of your estate planning. Turner Hall currently has a Turner Hall Preservation Endowment Fund, which was established in 1999 and is administered through the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. Along with other gifts and donations, a very generous gift in memory of Turner Hall member, Jack Kundert (September 10, 1931 - November 28, 2012), has provided seed money to set up a Turner Hall Foundation. Turner Hall of Monroe is an IRS 501(c)(3) Non-Profit and Wisconsin Chapter 181 Corporation, so all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. To make a donation, or for more information, please write: PO Box 762 Monroe, WI 53566 or e-mail: SwissHall@TurnerHallofMonroe.org
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