The history of Turners began with Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, born August 11, 1778 in the small village of Lanz, in the province of Brandenburg, Prussia. In 1810 he began teaching at the school he attended as a boy, the Gymnasium zun graven kloster, and later at the Plamaan Institute.
This year marked the beginning of Jan’s attempts to introduce gymnastic exercises among his students, originally to make them capable of bearing arms for their country. Jan was fiercely patriotic, and hoped to prepare his country for a war of liberation from France. The first public Turnplatz was opened by Jan in the spring of 1811. It was composed of 500 boys and young men who eventually became know as Turners.
Through many political events Hahn maintained his ideals of liberty and loyalty to his country. His greatest contribution to society was his service in the field of physical training, aimed at the cultivation of a healthy body. “The first Turner societies in the United States were organized toward the close of 1848. Until the middle of the fifties, all of these societies owed their organization and their flourishing state to the German immigrants, who came to this country when the revolutionary movement in Germany in 1848-1849 was suppressed.
Among the thousands of political refugees that fled to American soil, there were many who had been members of a Turnverein, who knew the benefits of Turnen, and who were eager to establish it in their new home.” (History of the American Turners by Henry Metznet)
Our own Clinton Turnverein was founded in December 1867. At that time it was known as the Turnverein Frohsinn, and had an initial membership of 30. Originally, Turner meetings and gymnastics instructions were held in a private home on Oak St. The group later moved to Brokleman’s Hall on Green Street and in 1873, as membership grew to 66, it was determined that a new “home” was needed.
The Turners purchased a piece of land on Branch Street, and on October 4, 1873, the laying of the cornerstone took place, with completion on July 4, 1874. A German school was started in Clinton, and Turner Hall was chosen as its location. The classes in German and Gymnastics became so popular that it became obvious that a larger building was needed.
Clinton Turnverein incorporated in 1879, and work began to enlarge the building, adding a stage to accommodate a new Dramatic class. In 1887 a tract of land was purchased on the North side of the building which was used for the construction of the summer pavilion.
In 1888 the Clinton Turners took part in their first gymnastics competition in Springfield, MA, represented by 9 members who brought back the first class prize along with several individual prizes. In 1891 the New England District Turnfest was held in Clinton, with festivities lasting for 5 days.
Over the many years since its beginning, the Clinton Turnverein has been active in the field of health and physical education. To this day, the Turner slogan “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body” remains an appropriate reminder of Turner ideals.
Today, our Clinton Turner Society hosts a variety of activities. In addition to our flourishing gymnastics program, we offer our members; darts, cribbage, golf, pool, and bowling leagues, as well as many opportunities for socializing and community service. Our hall and pavilion are also available for rental for all occasions.
We hope you have enjoyed your Turner experience, today and look forward to your continued interest in our facilities.
TERMS:
Turnen – a term coined by Jahn, a verb, meaning “to perform gymnastic exercises”
Turner – gymnast
Turnfest – gymnastic festival
Turnverein – gymnastic society.
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