German Society of Pennsylvania facts for kids
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Pennsylvania Historical Marker
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| PHMC dedicated | October 06, 2008 |
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The German Society of Pennsylvania is a very old organization in the United States. It helps people learn about German culture. You can find it in the Northern Liberties area of Philadelphia.
The Society started way back in 1764. Its first goal was to help German immigrants. This included people who came to America as indentured servants. These were people who worked for a set time to pay for their trip.
Today, the Society does many things. It teaches the German language and culture. It also hosts talks, music shows, and movies. Plus, it gives out scholarships to help students.
Contents
The Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library
The Society has a special library. It's called the Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library. This library holds the largest collection of German-language books outside of Germany!
Library History and Collections
The library began in 1817. Over the years, it collected many books and magazines. These were for members of the German Society to read. It's still a lending library today. You can find German fiction, biographies, and children's books there.
In 1867, a special collection was started. It's called an archive. This archive collects items that tell the story of German-American history and culture. This is still a main goal of the library.
Important Books and Documents
The library has many old items from German-American printers. One special item is a Bible from 1743. It was printed by Christoph Sauer. This was the first Bible in a European language printed in North America.
The Horner Library also has many old papers and handwritten documents. These are about German-American groups and people. It also has rare 19th-century German books.
Location and Public Art
Since 1888, the Society has been at 611 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia. It has also helped create many German-culture artworks in the city.
Famous Artworks
The Society asked artists to create these artworks. One is a statue of Peter Muhlenberg. He was a famous German-American soldier and minister. His statue is now behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Another artwork honors Francis Daniel Pastorius. He led the first German settlers to America. This monument is in Vernon Park, Germantown.
