Who We Are
The Fillmore Turner Hall
The Farmington Turn Verein (Turners) was
established and organized in Fillmore on May 13, 1862. They
held their first meeting at the old Fillmore Brewery building (the
Saxonia House). The Turner Society evolved from a German
Organization that stressed physical and social improvement.
Suppressed by Prince Metternich of Austria because of their
involvement in liberal politics after 1815, the Turners enjoyed a
revival in all American communities containing large numbers of
Germans. Its program consisted of athletics and gymnastics,
combined with discussion of current political and social theories in
an atmosphere of fellowship. Early Gymnastics apparatus
included ropes , bars, dumb bells and different weights.
All turner activities were suspended during the
Civil War. In the fall of 1867 the group reorganized and
planned the present hall. The framework was built from trees
on two acres purchased from Peter Herbst. A Turner member who
failed to help work on the hall required to pay $2 towards the
building fund. Either one days work with a team of horses or
two days work by hand was to be donated to the project. The
Turner Hall was dedicated in 1868.
The early Farmington Turners had a glee club that
entertained at community celebrations. In 1869 a German Sunday
School was organized by the Turn Verein and held sessions in the new
hall. In 1871 a Bibliothek or Turner Library was created and
$32.75 was donated toward the purchase of books. The 1962
Centennial book says, "Books and periodicals were being drawn and
read even after it was decided in 1924 that all affairs of the
Turners were henceforth to be carried on in the English language."
Then in 1930 the name of the organization was changed from
Farmington Turn-Verein to Farmington Turner Society.
In 1876 the temporary hall was taken down and the
lumber was used to build an addition on the west end of the hall,
which became the stage area. In April 1878 a silk Turn Verein
flag was purchased at a cost of $125. The flag still hangs
next to the stage today.
The Turner Hall became an important part of
Fillmore's early social life. In 1881 a hardwood floor in
the dance hall and the addition of a 16' x 20' bandstand in 1897
helped make the hall a popular amusement center. There were
plays and concerts by the local brass band and singing groups.
Three annual social events were held: a picnic in the summer, a
masquerade dance in the winter, and an oyster supper with a dance in
January. The organization also promoted amateur sports,
especially basketball which was becoming popular in the early
1900's. The building was enlarged in 1909. More remodeling and
improvements were made in 1947-48.
In 1962 a major remodeling project added a full
basement and bathroom facilities. In 1973 the upstairs bar was
remodeled and a beer bar was added in the basement. For
the first time a liquor license was acquired. In 1987 the east
wall between the bar and hall was opened. The original
woodwork and wainscoting still remains in the hall today. In
1999 storage, a caterer's kitchen, a serving hall, bathrooms and a
handicap ramp were added to the main floor on the south side.
In 2006 chandeliers were installed in the hall area enhancing the
appearance. Today the historic hall is in beautiful condition
and well maintained. The hall is rentable for weddings or
other celebrations.
Fillmore
Turner Hall 523 County Road H, Fredonia, WI 53021