The Ladies Auxiliary was founded in 1896 for the purpose of helping the Turnverein.  The first Auxiliary was fifteen ladies who united to assist the Society financially and socially. The ladies through their splendid efforts, untiring work and sacrifice greatly contributed to the life and activities of the society. In addition to regular meetings the Ladies performed other social and educational activities for the benefit of the Kansas City Turners. They participated in all of the society's work, and in their endeavors to improve our club.  The Ladies Auxiliary served the society faithfully and helped finance upkeep of the property, needed improvements, activities and their main project the summer concession stand.  The Ladies had a Motto: "We Can Help Our Men-and We Will."

The turning classes showed great enthusiasm.  A Sunday School was organized, and the mental activities were developed and cultivated.  Everything was progressing beautifully until the year 1897, the year of the “panic” when all real estate suddenly depreciated in value to such an extent that the Society was not able to meet its financial obligations.  Fortunately, it was possible to effect an exchange by which the Verein obtained the property at 1208-1212 East Ninth Street (between Forest and Tracy),  free of any debt, at a valuation of $15,000.    Far from having a depressing effect on the Turner spirit, it spurred the members on to fresh efforts.  Every member was impressed with the convictions that the sojourn in the Forest Avenue Hall would only be temporary, and that it was every Turner’s duty to aid in acquiring a new, modern Hall.  And, again, they conquered fate.  In the course of nine years, energetic work and noble sacrifices on the part of the members and their friends made it possible for the Turnverein in 1906 to move to 1325 East Fifteenth Street.  The property was kept clear of any and all debt. The cornerstone was laid February 11, 1906, under observance of fitting ceremonies, presided over by the first speaker, Emil Pinkert. In November of 1906 a Bazaar,

lasting  one week, was held under the management of John W. Wagner, President of the German-American Bank.  A house and lot, and a horse and buggy were raffled off at chances of $1 each.  The Bazaar netted a surplus of $8,807.29, for which amount the gymnasium was equipped with strictly modern turning apparatus, quite a difference when compared with the valuation of $30 for the original equipment in 1858.  The society’s books showed a membership of over eight hundred.    When the German school was dissolved in 1906, the members of the Schulverein were made honorary members of the Turnverein, and the $13,000 —- one-half of the assets—- were given to the Turnverein, while the other half of the assets went to the German Hospital, now known as Research Medical Center.  The school activities were, however, continued to some extent at the new building, Fifteenth and Lydia Streets, where German was taught, and a Sunday school  was held.  Over the years many Kansas City Turners distinguished themselves at many conventions of the American Turnerbund (Bundesturnfest).  From around 1897 Kansas City Turner members have participated in Bundesturnfests all across the United States and in 1908 they went to Germany to compete.  In 1911 Kansas City hosted the Kreisturnfest for the Upper Mississippi, St. Louis, Kansas-Missouri-Nebraska and Rocky Mountain Districts. The event was a great success, and is remembered by many who are still active in the society.    History repeats itself. Disaster and distress are known to come in cycles to the human race.  However, the Turnverein was confronted with more than an ordinary share of disaster when the United States entered into the World War on the side of the Allies against Germany.  The effect of the War upon the Turnverein was increased by prohibition.  All social activities were reduced to a minimum.  The blow dealt to the Turnverein by the combination of war and prohibition almost spelled complete disaster for the Society.  The Turnverein passed through many dark years, during which a faithful  few carried the banner of the Turnverein. The banner was held aloft by Otto Pueschel, Fred C. Kettler, Henry Nottberg, George Kumpf and others.  They were able to gather more around the banner, until all activities of the classes, as well as of the social events, were attended in good numbers.

As the Turners grew in numbers they moved to several locations. In 1954 the hall was located at 1325 Truman, when it was decided that if the organization was to grow, a new building was necessary.  The Kansas City Development Company was formed and in 1962 the search for a new location began.  Forty-four acres of land  at 79th and Manchester was purchased for the development of a non-profit educational-social center and park.  The land was cleared, an athletic field graded, a lake was constructed, and a swimming pool was built.  In 1962 the building on Truman Road was sold and the new building was erected at TURNER PARK.    October, 1964 marked the opening of the new building at 7620 E. 79th.  With 300 adult & children enrolled in gym classes.  To fulfill the purpose of “A Sound Mind in A Sound Body” dance classes, cultural classes, art, knitting, ceramics, weaving and  other activities were offered to compliment the physical education programs.    Monday evenings you could find the “Singers” practicing.  They enjoyed singing German heritage songs and many Americanized pieces of music. Volleyball or handball was being played in the gym.  Card games could

be found in the Rathskellar.  Or you could just come up to visit in the bar.  On Thursday evenings there were 14 teams of Turner Bowlers on the lanes at Loma Vista striving for that 1st place trophy in the league.  The Turner Bowlers participated in District, Regional and National Bowling Tournaments.  In the summer you would find members involved swimming, tennis, fishing, softball, relaxing on the patio and busy in the concession stand.  The younger members enjoyed the competition of the Swim Team not to mention the early morning practices.  Many of our groups represented KCT in District, Regional and National competition as well as locally.    In 1979 the mortgage was burned.  This was a major step to insure the Turner Club a future.  For many years the club continued to pursue membership and was actively involved  with District, National and Local competitions for gymnastics, swimming, softball, volleyball and bowling.    In 1983 the 125th anniversary celebration was held on the newly enlarged patio.  At that time membership stood at 350 members.    In 1996 property at 7620 East 79th St. was sold. In 1997 property at 1116 N. Madison in Raymore, Mo. was purchased.  This property was sold in 1998 due to the fact that the Raymore Board of Directors would not give us a zoning permit.  Meetings and activities still prevailed at various locations.

On March 7, 2003 a property known as the Aaron's Family Fun Center at 512 Bong St. in Belton, MO was purchased. Remodeling was started and was 90 percent completed when a fire destroyed the building on February 13, 2004. The building could not be saved. Rebuilding began immediately after the clean up and the new building was completed in August,2006.     "The good old days" as such, are gone forever, the better, new days "are here."  Today is another "beginning," another chapter in the onward march of our Society.

Along with the German American Citizens Association the KC Turners formed the Turner-GACA Family Development Company.  This venture has brought cultural activities back to the club.  There is the German Liederkranz Singers, The German dancers (KC Vorplattler), German lessons, holiday parties and dinner/dance social gatherings.  The building is open on Friday nights with dinner served to members and guests.  Kansas City Turners continues to fulfill the purpose of "A Sound Mind in A Sound Body" by offering basic tumbling, tap and ballet for our members' children and grandchildren ages 3 and up.  There are 9 teams on our bowling league that participate in both District and National tournaments.  At the club they have Texas-Hold'em tournaments, BINGO along with other social gatherings.  And in the summer you will catch them down the road at the Air Force Base pool.    A lot of hard work, dedication and determination have allowed us to reach this plateau.  With incomplete records it is impossible to list names and give credit where credit is due.  It seems fitting that we extend a warm handclasp across the years and a heartfelt "Thank You" to all those who have carried the burdens and hopes of the Turner cause through all the one hundred - fifty years and express a hope that we may do as well as well as the members of the past, and ask the question What of the future?  So much for the past, shall we learn a lesson from history?  Patrick Henry once said "I know of no way to judge the future but by the past."  The only time we have is NOW-not the past-and the future will be determined by what we do in the present time allocated to our disposal.  May we look at the past and then toward the future of Turnerism, and avoid the fate of those who were so blind that they would not see!  Shall we make progress?  Progress consists of a series of beginnings.  Fresh starts, renewed efforts, spurred perhaps by a previous defeat and hope of a worthy goal to be reached.  When Turners take up the fight for human freedom, becoming once more pioneers in a united effort to achieve the goal "A Sound Mind in a Sound Body"-when they stop resenting the "wrongs" that have been done them and seek as they did years ago to promote sanity and health in their respective communities, they will find what they have to offer is so badly needed by everyone, that the future cannot be other than one of tremendous growth and prosperity.  Then Turners will feel more excited and alive than they have for many years and the Society will become loved and respected as they deserve.  So, today, we, the Kansas City Turners join with true Turners everywhere with optimism and courage as we meet and accept the challenge of the New Age.  This can be met only by an adaptation of our Principles to the needs of the age, which we believe to be the true catalyst of human progress.  We are now entering our 151st year may we endeavor to adapt to a changing world-may we face the future strong and unafraid. Website maintained by KC Imagemakers

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