About Us

Purpose

The purpose of the American Turners-Toledo is to provide for and promote the education of its members by conducting physical and health education and cultural education classes and social development of all members and their families. All affairs of this society are conducted by a Board of Directors. The officers are elected at the annual membership held in November of each year. A booklet of the National American Turners Principles and Statutes and a booklet of the Constitution and By-Laws of the American Turners-Toledo is available through the local office.

History

Toledo

Thirty two young Germans founded the ‘Toledo Turn und Sportverein in 1926 and joined the American Turnerbund. The society was established under the laws of the State of Ohio in 1926. The name of the society was changed in 1954 to American Turners-Toledo by an amendment to the society's constitution. The Toledo Turners originally met at a restaurant at 316 Summit Street which they had called ‘Deutsches Heim’ (German Home). During the depression many of the society struggled and some of the members ran a soup kitchen out of the back room. During the prohibition some of the Turners used malt to make their own beer. However, they were able to avoid authorities due to police getting samples of the brew. The Swiss organization allowed the Turners to practice gymnastic exercises at their Swiss Hall, 735 S. St. Clair Street. In 1934 these Turners purchased for $25,000 the Presbyterian Church building, at 3304 Collingwood Boulevard. At this time there were only 242 members of the Toledo Turn und Sportverein and they only had $1,600 in their treasury. The Collingwood building had a hall with a stage and bar upstairs, with a gymnasium downstairs. By 1943, through many large donations and contributions the members paid the mortgage off.

The cultural education at one time included painting, sewing, needlework and other craft classes that were typically put on by the Ladies Auxiliary. There was also a ladies’ chorus, youth orchestra, youth and adult theatre groups, along with baton tap and ballet lessons. German language classes were also held. Today the Deutsche Volktanz Gruppe, the folk dance group, still performs. The physical education had at a time included Badminton, tennis basketball, volleyball, golf, and soccer. Today the gymnastics and bowling sectors are still active. The Turners held many grand social functions at the Turnerhalle. Some of these functions include dinner dances like the Proclamation Ball, Mardi Gra, and Christmas dinner dances. The theatre productions would also gather a large Turner crowd. Sadly, today these functions no longer exist, and if they would be put on it would take place at the G.A.F. Society property of Oak Shade Grove.

Unfortunately, in 1988 there was a decline in memberships. This led to members struggling to maintain the property on Collingwood. This inevitably led to the property being sold in 1991. At this time the Turners would rent the gym floor at the Rossford Recreation Center because they still had a growing gymnastics program. During this time the coaches and members would have to set up the equipment before practices and tear it down afterwards. The gymnastics program was then moved to a leased building on Glenwood Road in Perrysburg where it resides today. It is at this building where gymnastics practices and meetings are held. The Deutsche Volktanz Gruppe practices at the Bavarian Sports Club in Toledo and Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, the bowling sector bowls at Interstate Lanes in Rossford, and the Trail Riders Group rides at the Maumee State Forest in Swanton.

German American Festival Societies

The American Turners- Toledo is also a member of the G.A.F. Society which has seven German-American societies: American Turners-Toledo, Bavarian Sports Club, United Swiss-Toledo, Toledo Schwaebischer Unterstuetzungs Vereinnn, Greater Beneficial Union of Toledo, Bayerischer Unterstützungs Verein Society of Toledo and Teutonia Maennerchor of Toledo. The G.A.F Society holds the German-American Festival and owns the property of Oak Shade Grove on Seaman Rd, Oregon, Ohio.

American Turners

The American Turners have deep roots from Germany as far back as the 17th century. They had a great influence on American society in the 19th century and are still of importance today. These people were unified by different causes throughout the ages, but this allowed for them to do great things. Some of the most notable achievements of the American Turners are: preserving their German heritage, fighting in the Civil War, and instituting physical education in schools. The American Turners Toledo is our local Turner club of Northwest Ohio. In today's society the principal values of the Turners are not as prevalent. This causes lack of membership and decreasing knowledge of what the Turners are. It is of utmost importance to educate the community on what the American Turners are and what they have to offer to the betterment of the population.