Guide to the Records of the Rochester Turners (Pa.), 1905-1990
- Repository
- Heinz History Center
- Title
- The Records of the Rochester Turners (Pa.),
- Creator
- Rochester Turners (Pa.)
- Collection Number
- MSS#233
- Extent
- 2.0 cubic feet (4 boxes)
- Date
- 1905-1990
- Abstract
- The Rochester Central Turners, or Turn Verein (gymnastic societies), were organized in 1900 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The records include meeting minutes, constitutions, membership records, treasurer's ledgers, program and convention booklets, newsletters, newspaper clippings and other materials documenting the Rochester Turners as well as the Pittsburgh District and the National Organization of American Turners.
- Language
- The material in this collection is in English.
- Sponsor
- This finding aid has been encoded as a part of the Historic Pittsburgh project a joint effort of the University of Pittsburgh and the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Funding for this portion of the project has been donated by the Hillman Foundation.
- Publisher
- Heinz History Center
- Address
- 1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org
History of the Rochester (Pa.) Turners
The Rochester Central Turners, or Turn Verein, were organized in 1900 in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. The other Turner clubs in Beaver County included Ambridge, Beaver Falls (founded 1871), and Monaca (founded 1893). All four of these Turner clubs were members of the Pittsburgh District (later the Western Pennsylvania District) of the National Organization of American Turners.
The National Organization of American Turners began as six individual Turner clubs, or Turn Verein (gymnastic societies), all located in the Eastern United States, with membership composed of German immigrants, which combined to form a Turnerbund (gymnastic union) in 1850. The Turnerbund's purpose was to urge "a closer union of all the societies in order to insure their own existence, to protect the common interests, and to furnish a basis for mutual cooperation." By 1978, the American Turners had grown to include over 17,000 members of all nationalities, representing seventy individual clubs which were organized into fourteen districts, spread over nine geographic regions across the United States. The goal of the Turner clubs was to develop "a sound mind in a sound body" through physical fitness classes and cultural activities, and ultimately to promote good citizenship in its members. Toward this goal, the Turners supported a school for training physical education instructors, called the Normal College of the American Gymnastic Union, at Indiana University in Indianapolis. It was due at least in part to the efforts of the American Turners and their Normal College that gym classes were initiated in public school curriculum, through the donated services of Turner gym instructors.
The Rochester Turners club, according to surviving records, has experienced fluctuating adherence to National guidelines throughout its long history. References in the 1934-1939 Minutes imply that the club's primary focus was social activities, offering only two gym classes (one adult and one children's class), and no cultural activities whatsoever. Its members were often cited and even suspended for "conduct unbecoming a Turner", and meetings frequently had to be restored to order before business could continue. By 1946, although the club employed one gymnastics instructor, no classes of any sort were offered. Activities during those years included dinners, dances and card tournaments. The club also operated an active bar room, complete with a slot machine. No charitable activities are recorded in the Minutes for those years. Additional revenue for the society was raised by renting out its facilities to other social and fraternal organizations.
Although bowling had been an activity of many Turner clubs since 1930, at the 1946 National Executive Committee meeting it became a promoted function as a replacement or addition to the gymnastic classes which had declined in popularity, particularly among older members. Bowling was also an additional source of revenue for many clubs. The Rochester Turners produced an active and successful bowling team some time in the 1950s, and at the same time its physical education activities also expanded considerably, even producing some award-winning athletes.
One of the Rochester Turners more prominent members was August Buchholtz, who served as Secretary for the Pittsburgh District of the American Turners for many years (c1930-1950). His duties included taking minutes at District meetings (held at local society halls on a rotation basis), collecting and recording dues from clubs in the Pittsburgh District, correspondence, and keeping all other financial and membership records for the District.
The Rochester Turners had a Women's Auxiliary, composed of wives, mothers, widows, sisters and daughters (over the age of 21) of male members in good standing. The Auxiliary's purpose was to raise money for both the men's club and the auxiliary through dinners and raffles and other special events. The Auxiliary also provided dinners for the men's functions, and held social events for the women, such as picnics and occasional outings of a cultural nature.
Scope and Content Notes
These records include meeting minutes, constitutions, membership records, treasurer's ledgers, program and convention booklets, newsletters, newspaper clippings and other sundry materials documenting the Rochester Turners as well as the Pittsburgh District and the National Organization of American Turners. While these records are not comprehensive, they provide extensive documentation of the club's activities and illustrate the changing focus of the club from a strictly social organization to one more fully dedicated to the National goals of physical fitness and good citizenship. These records also provide a broad look at both the Pittsburgh District and the National Organization, especially from 1930-1950, due to the fact that a member of the local club was the Secretary of the Pittsburgh District for many years. Most of these records are written in English. The only components of these records written in German are the Song Books, the District Principles and Statutes, and the District Minutes and Treasurer's Ledgers through 1940.
The Local Records are not at all comprehensive, and give very little information as to the club's activities. There is only one book of meeting minutes (1934-1939), which gives the impression of a club troubled by conflict. The history is just a single sheet discussing primarily the history of the Turner building rather than the club itself. The photographs, however, (separated to the Photographic Archives as MSQ# 233), show a healthier club in later years, with photos of gymnastics, ground-breaking ceremonies for a building expansion program, and the boys' baseball team (c1960). Also, by comparing the minutes, as noted above, with special events and newspaper clippings from later years, one can again see that although the Rochester Turners may have had some troubles for a while, in later years it returned to the goals of personal improvement prescribed by the National Organization and grew to a strong and active club. Of special interest, although unrelated to the Rochester Turners but rather more to the history of Rochester (Pa.) and the surrounding area, are items in the Miscellaneous section, including a church constitution and constitutions of the Rochester Elks and Owls.
It is in the District Records that the strength of this collection lie. Because Rochester Turner member August Buchholtz held the District position of Secretary for many years, this collection contains many records pertaining to all of the Turner clubs of the Pittsburgh District. Although the meeting minutes (1916-1949) and treasurer's ledgers (1905-1975) are comprehensive, most of these are written in German through 1940. A better source for information on Turner activities can be found in the statistical reports, which list activities and participation for each local club. The special events brochures also contain insights into the activities of several individual clubs. By comparing these three resources, one can study the differences in adherence to national guidelines among the various local Turner organizations. The finances of the Pittsburgh District are documented in the treasurer's ledgers, check stubs, dues ledger, and other sundry items. The District Records are also a strong reference tool for determining the leadership of the Turner organizations, through officers list and the statistical reports.
National Records include a variety of material acquired by the Rochester Turners, due at least in part to August Buchholtz's long involvement with the Pittsburgh District. General material includes a history of the National Turners, an informational brochure, a merchandise catalog, and materials relative to the New York Turners and the Women's Auxiliary to the American Turners. National Records also include valuable information documenting Turner principles and ideals, political position, and guidelines for local clubs through various materials, including handbooks, an endowment trust booklet, convention programs, and principles and statutes booklets from various years. Additionally, these records contain much documentation relative to the Turner focus on physical education and cultural activities, through the competition and program rules, convention booklets, "Gymnast" and "Topics" magazines, and other miscellaneous materials.
Arrangement
The Records of the Rochester Turners are housed in four archival boxes and are arranged alphabetically by folder title with Local Records arranged to the front, followed by District Records, and National Records to the rear.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
These materials were received in one accession, 1994.
Acc# 1994.0088 Gift of Katja Rampelmann (Archivist, American Turner Historical Records Survey Project at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis).
Preferred Citation
Records of the Rochester Turners (Pa.), 1995-1990, MSS #233, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Karen Hockenson in 1994.
Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Jacqueline Perry on September 5, 2000.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or publish, please contact the curator of the Archives.
Subjects
- Rochester Turners (Pa.)
- Rochester Central Turners (Pa.)
- American Turners (Organization)
- Rochester (Pa.) -- Societies, etc.
- Rochester (Pa.) -- Athletics.
- Rochester (Pa.) -- Recreation.
- Rochester (Pa.) -- German Americans.
- Pennsylvania -- Athletics.
- Pennsylvania -- Recreation.
- Pennsylvania -- Societies, etc.
- Pennsylvania -- German Americans.
- Beaver County (Pa.) -- Athletics.
- Beaver County (Pa.) -- Recreation.
- Beaver County (Pa.) -- Societies, etc.
- Beaver County (Pa.) -- German Americans.
- Athletes -- Pennsylvania -- Rochester.
- Athletes--German Americans--Pennsylvania--Beaver County.
- Athletic clubs -- Pennsylvania -- Rochester.
- Athletic Clubs -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver County.
- German Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Rochester.
- German Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver County.
- German Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Beaver County -- Societies and Clubs.