German-American
Club
Gesangverein
SINCE 1878
Germanic Heritage Auxiliary
MISSION:
The mission of the Germanic Heritage Auxiliary, (GHA), is to preserve, study and promote the Germanic Heritage of Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The GHA supports and assists other organizations whose members are interested in preserving our common heritage. The Germanic Heritage Auxiliary was founded in April, 1991 as the Kentuckiana Germanic Heritage Society (KGHS), an independent ethnic organization. KGHS merged with the German-American Club Gesangverein to become the Germanic Heritage Auxiliary on January 1, 2002.
MEMBERSHIP:
All dues-paying members of the German-American Club Gesangverein are members of the GHA. All members of the German-American Club and guests are welcome to attend GHA functions and to participate in planning and organizing GHA activities.
MEETINGS:
The Germanic Heritage Auxiliary meets monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm to plan events and activities. These meetings are immediately followed at 7pm by the German American Club general business meeting.
ACTIVITIES:
A wide variety of programs have been presented with an amazing array of guest speakers for Sunday Afternoon Programs covering history, genealogy, music and other cultural aspects. GHA has participated in numerous ethnic events held at festivals, schools and libraries; holds German language lessons, provides cultural themes and activities for Bierhalles & Biergartens and sponsors a booth at Oktoberfest and Christkindlmarkt.
G.H.A.'s parent organization Kentuckiana Germanic Heritage Society (KGHS) was founded in April of 1991 and is observed every April with a potluck known as Gründerfest, which translates to "Founder Festival" to celebrate KGHS' mission to preserve Germanic Heritage.
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Other specialty events are occasionally hosted as well.
"Die Heißen Hexen" dancers were organized for the inaugural Walpurgisnacht event in 2024.
In 2023 GHA collaborated with the Louisville area Swiss descendants and their Swiss friends, the World Affairs Council and the Louisville Mayor's office for Immigrant Affairs to host a concert and dance performed by “The Kalberweidli Büeblä Band” from Einsiedeln, Switzerland.
In 2005, GHA worked jointly with Metro Louisville Mayor’s Office and the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Bloody Monday and the dedication of a Kentucky Historical Society marker in remembrance of Bloody Monday in 2006.
Officers
President: Nancy Woods
Vice President: Kathy Lee-Jarvis
Treasurer: Irvin Ebert
Secretary: Julie Lange
The Germanic Heritage Auxiliary meets monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 pm. These meetings are immediately followed at 7pm by the German American Club general business meeting.