Athenæum (Das Deutsche Haus) facts for kids
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Athenæum (Das Deutsche Haus)
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The Athenæum in 2011.
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1893 |
| Architect | Vonnegut & Bohn; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000032 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | February 21, 1973 |
| Designated NHL | October 31, 2016 |
The Athenæum was first called Das Deutsche Haus (which means "The German House" in German). It is a beautiful and well-kept building in Indianapolis. It shows the history of the German American community there.
This building was once a German American Turnverein (a gymnastics club) and a clubhouse. Today, many different groups, organizations, and businesses use it. The Athenæum is located across Massachusetts Avenue from the Old National Centre. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 21, 1973. Later, on October 31, 2016, it became the 41st National Historic Landmark in Indiana. This means it's a very important historical place!
Contents
History of the Athenæum
German Immigrants in Indiana
In the 1800s, many German immigrants came to live in Indiana. A large group of these immigrants were called Forty-Eighters. They moved to the United States after the failed Revolutions of 1848 in the German states. These revolutions were attempts to bring more freedom and unity to Germany.
These new immigrants quickly started clubs for music, politics, and social gatherings. This was a popular idea in Germany. Some of these clubs included the Männerchor (men's choir), Turnverein (gymnastics club), and Liederkranz (singing club). Many immigrants followed the ideas of Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, who believed in physical fitness and national pride.
Building a Clubhouse
In 1892, the German clubs wanted to keep their German heritage alive. So, they formed the Sozialer Turnverein Aktiengesellschaft. This German name means "Social Gymnastics Association." Their goal was to raise money to build a clubhouse. They wanted the clubhouse to be a place for both mind and body culture. All the different German clubs would be together under one roof.
They bought two plots of land for $32,000. These plots were at the corner of Michigan and New Jersey streets. A German neighborhood called Lockerbie Square, also known as Germantown, was all around the clubhouse.
Construction and Design
Construction on the East Wing started in May 1893 and finished in 1894. The West Wing began in 1897 and was completed in 1898. Two German American architects designed both parts of the building. They were Bernard Vonnegut, Sr. and Arthur Bohn. Bernard Vonnegut, Sr. was the grandfather of the famous Indianapolis writer Kurt Vonnegut.
The building was called Das Deutsche Haus. It hosted many groups, like the German-American Veterans Society and the German Ladies' Aid Society. By 1896, there were 500 members!
Music and Education
In 1897, the Musikverein (Music Society) was started at Das Deutsche Haus. It had a 60-piece orchestra and two choirs. The Athenaeum Orchestra is now the oldest orchestra in Indianapolis.
In 1907, Das Deutsche Haus agreed to host the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union. A "normal school" is a place that trains teachers. This school trained physical education teachers for schools across the country. Later, in 1941, Indiana University took over the school. It is said to be the oldest physical education school in the United States.
Renaming the Building
During World War I, there were strong anti-German feelings. Because of this, the clubhouse changed its name to the Athenæum. Today, the Athenaeum Foundation, a nonprofit group, runs the building.
Architecture of the Athenæum
The Athenæum building has two main parts: the East Wing and the West Wing. Both wings show off a style called German Renaissance Revival. This style mixes German building traditions with ideas from the Renaissance period.
East Wing Details
The front part of the building is the East Wing. It has a pointed roof called a gable roof. There is a tall, three-story brick tower with a cone-shaped slate roof. The main entrance has two Roman Doric columns on either side. The entrance arch is shaped like a semicircle and made of limestone. The windows on the upper floors are also arched. The gymnasium part of the building has cool, round windows that look like "bullseyes."
West Wing Details
The West Wing also uses the German Renaissance Revival style. It has a steeply sloped roof called a hip roof. This wing also has a three-story brick tower. However, its tower has a curved mansard roof and a spire, which is a tall, pointed structure. The West Wing has many different window styles, and some of them have beautiful stained glass. Like the East Wing, its arched entrance is framed by Roman Doric columns.
At each end of the main roof, there are copper-covered cupolas, which are small dome-like structures. The wing also has a fancy baroque pediment above its cornice (a decorative molding). The stone pieces that form the arches, called voussoirs, stick out a bit. The outside of the building is decorated with terra cotta grotesques. These are carved figures that can be a bit strange or funny. One special figure is Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. She is placed in the top arch and is the reason the building is named Athenæum.
What You Can Find at the Athenæum
The Athenæum Foundation is a nonprofit organization. It works hard to protect the historic Athenæum building. It also serves the Indianapolis community. The foundation puts on many events and programs throughout the year.
You can take free tours of the Athenæum twice a month from March to December. If you have a group, you can also schedule a special tour.
Inside the Athenaeum, you'll find the Rathskeller Restaurant. It's the oldest restaurant in the city!
Here are some of the groups and businesses that call the Athenæum home:
- Athenæum Damenverein
- Athenæum Docent Club
- Athenæum Pops Orchestra
- Athenæum Turners
- Basile Theatre at the Historic Athenaeum
- Coat Check Coffee
- Indiana German Heritage Society
- Indianapolis German Language Institute
- Indianapolis Männerchor Inc.
- Indy Metro Church
- Max Kade German-American Center
- Rathskeller Restaurant
- YMCA
- Young Actors Theatre
Fun Events
In October 2009, the Athenaeum held its first annual GermanFest. This fun event took place outside on New Jersey Street. It featured music from the Männerchor and Saenger Chor, and a band called Meisterwinds. There were also dachshund races, dancing, and activities just for kids. Even the Mayor, Greg Ballard, came to visit!
Images for kids
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The Athenæum in 2011.
