509 Lafayette Street

Compassion Coalition, Turnverein Building
509 Lafayette Street
Utica, NY


Located in CoLa's West Edge

Located at 509 Lafayette Street, the Turnverein Building is a historic resources (Number 06540.001555). Also known as "Utica Turn Hall," or "Utica Turn Verein," this building is rated "eligible" for registration as a national historic landmark and was a former German social and athletic club.


June 3, 2018 - Reading, Deutschtum on the Plate: Koehler’s German Restaurant, we learn...

"Utica’s Turnverein, a German-American gymnastic/cultural society, held its last meeting at Koehler’s Hall in 1950."


From The History of Oneida County: Commemorating the bicentennial of our national independence (1977), page 61...

“Some organizations were imported from the old country and adapted to the new conditions. For example, the German Turn Verein Society, which in Germany had s strong liberal political flavor, in America was largely a gymnastic and social organization. As the years passed and the average age of membership increased, the gymnastic aspect declined in importance. To preserve their musical and dance traditions, immigrants formed singing societies and instrumental groups."


Today the German Maennerchor is located in North Utica on Flanagan Road. The women’s chorus, the Damenchor, is active as well. From their website, one may read...

"In 2015 we celebrated our 150th anniversary. We thank our German immigrants and ancestors for raising the love of music, tradition and camaraderie to this community so long ago. Our organization was formed to preserve our culture for future generations. It was and still is achieved through the hard work and accomplishments of past and present members."


We're not opposed to a new hospital, just do not bulldoze Downtown Utica's Historic Columbia-Lafayette Neighborhood... "Build It At St. Luke's!"



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