The Milwaukee Turners records contain a variety of materials documenting the history
of this organization, their festivals and activities, and their historic building in
downtown Milwaukee. The collection contains printed histories, including anniversary
materials, newsletters, newsclippings, and scrapbooks.
The scrapbooks contain a variety of items created by and about the Turners.
Unfortunately items within often have little chronological order. Also in the
collection are President Olga Wiedemann's notebooks which contain a wide variety of
items including correspondence, minutes, reports, event fliers, and clippings.
In addition to administrative correspondence from the President, the Foundation, and
the Fourth Street Corporation, the collection contains minutes, reports, and
financial materials. Included are minutes of the financial secretary, minutes of the
recording secretary, and minutes of the corresponding secretary. The collection also
contains committee reports, and financial statements and ledgers. Also included are
files documenting ballroom and building preservation and landmark status.
The collection also contains membership information and membership rolls, as well as
biographical information on some well-known Turners.
Records from groups within the organization document the activities of the Bearettes,
“Bimbos,” and the Ladies Auxiliary. Records from the Ladies Auxiliary, in particular,
are fairly extensive.
Photographs and slides largely consist of images of the building, and events,
activities, and exhibitions, including the Turners' involvement in Milwaukee's
annual German Fest.
