Changes in store for Turner Hall

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Turner Hall is undergoing a face-lift that may cost as much as $1.6 million, members of the Turnverein were told at the New Ulm Turnverein Stiftungsfest in Turner Hall Saturday night.

"The capital campaign to improve the rear entrance and provide a handicap-accessible entry and restroom facilities, along with storage space to enhance our gymnasium is well under way," Manager Richard Runck said.

"The first phase of our improvements has been completed with the new food elevator and improvements in the upstairs kitchen. Now, we don't have to worry about the food falling down anymore," Runck joked.

Turner Club members gathered to celebrate the founding of the New Ulm Turnverein 147 years ago. Attendees at this year's Stiftungsfest, which is German for Founders Day, also honored the Turner Ladies Society which was founded 114 years ago.

Honored for 50 years of service with the Turner Ladies Society were Lucille Stegeman, Grace Stapleton and Marion Reinhart. Janet Frank, Aurelia Boettger and Marie Windhorn were honored for 25 years' service.

Runck who joked that he's been in a job that "I didn't apply for" for the past 24 1/2 years was given a leather coat in recognition of his service to Turner Hall.

Mankato architect James Kagermeier, a native of New Ulm, traced the history of the buildings that have housed the Turner Hall gymnasium since its founding in 1856.

The second building, built in 1866, had an annex added to it several years after its construction which housed an academy school.

"It was, to my knowledge, the only school built with a saloon in the basement," Kagermeier said.

The building's design was distinctive because of the staircases going up on the outside and going down on the inside, Kagermeier explained.

"Why did we have steps outside going up and steps going down inside? It was so we could have windows in the basement," he explained.

Then, with the fire of 1952, much of the existing building had to be rebuilt, and "the building was more a theater than a gymnasium," Kagermeier said.

Since that fire, there have been several plans floated for renovations, but nothing has come of them until now, he said.

"You folks have to realize that in 50 years, nothing really has been done. However, codes have changed and will need to be dealt with, and there's a big emphasis on sprinkled buildings. The point I want to make is there are changes occurring all the time."