The Hermann Monument Society
Is dedicated to the conservation, interpretation, promotion,
and development of the Hermann Monument
in New Ulm, Minnesota, an official symbol
recognizing the great achievements of Germanic-Americans
Who was Hermann (Arminius)?
Hermann (Arminius), a Cheruscan chieftain negotiated an alliance of the Marsi, Bructeri, and Chatti tribes with his own warriors to defend Germania from Roman conquest. In September of 9 AD, Arminius' cunning strategy led to the ambush and defeat of the 17th, 18th, and 19th legions of imperial Rome under the command of Publius Quinctilius Varus. This running battle, fought in the midst of the Teutoburg Forest ended abruptly in the Narrows near the Kalkriese Berg initiating a change in Tiberius Caesar's foreign policy. Although Caesar sent eight more legions to Germania, Arminius and his brave warriors continued their fight for freedom. Increasing casualties and a dwindling treasury during subsequent battles between Arminius and Germanicus Caesar eventually convinced Tiberius to abandon Germania in 17 AD.
With no common foe the alliance faltered; inter-tribal strife and jealousy led to Arminius' assassination by his own kinfolk.
"We must tell our children and our children's children the story of the heroes of every land and every time who have given their lives, that liberty and fraternity and equality might survive among men."
Governor David Marston Clough-
Dedication of Hermann Monument
September 26, 1897
Present...
Tour the
New
10 a.m. - 7 p.m.: Daily from Memorial Day, May 28 through Labor Day, September 3; Saturdays and Sundays in May and September; Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays the first three weekends in October.
$2.00 per person. Children ages 5 and under admitted free with a paying adult. For safety reasons, all youth age 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Monument will be closed for safety reasons during inclement weather and may reopen that day if weather conditions improve.
Reservation requests should be directed to Recreation Program Supervisor, 507-359-8343 or carrie.anderson@ci.new-ulm.mn.us
Thanks to our member's generous donations to our Paver Program the Hermann Monument Society installed:
* An Ornate Wrought-Iron Fence
* 4 Engraved Granite Benches
* A Granite Paver Walkway before Hermann's 2,000th Anniversary Victory Celebration September 17-20, 2009.
* A 97 figure Diorama of Hermann's Teutoburg Forest Battle
* "Marcus Maximus" a Roman Legionary display
Continuing our popular Paver Program HMS is currently gathering funding for:
* A Second Granite Paver Walkway
* A Kaiser Wilhelm II Portrait Lithograph
* A sidewalk on the exterior side of the new wrought iron fence
German-Americans
Learn more about early immigration, statistics, and notable accomplishments of Americans either born in German-speaking lands or their descendants on our German-American page.
Membership Program
Your Membership and support of the Hermann Monument, Hermann Heights Park, and the goals of the society are both invited and appreciated!
Future...
ARE YOU A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF A CIVIL WAR VETERAN OR ONE OF THE DEFENDERS OF NEW ULM DURING THE US/DAKOTA WAR OF 1862?
The Hermann Monument Society is planning an exciting event to coincide with the US/Dakota War Commemoration
on August 23, 2012.
We cordially invite your family and friends to attend A DEFENDERS' FAMILY REUNION PICNIC August 23, 2012 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in Hermann Heights Park!
HMS will honor veterans who served in the Civil War or defended New Ulm in the US-Dakota War of 1862.
We will recognize defender families at this event.
Anyone who would like to learn more about the US/Dakota Conflict & Civil War history is welcome to attend this event!
HMS offers defender families the opportunity to share their ancestor's story in a brief vignette ("slice of life") collection booklet which will be for sale at the Defenders' Family Reunion Picnic.
Click here for Submission Guidelines
Any questions?
Please contact the
Event Planning Committee
c/o Wendy Enter
hermann_monument_society@yahoo.com
Helpful Links:
This PDF file listing 1860 Census Names of Adults of German Birth Who Settled in New Ulm and Surrounding Areas compiled by Prof. Fredric R. Steinhauser may be helpful in searching your family’s ancestry. Our thanks to Prof. Steinhauser for his assistance!
Not sure whether your ancestor was a defender? This book may be helpful:
New Ulm Area Defenders of August, 1862 Dakota Indians & Pioneer Settlers
Compiled by Elroy Ubl
"[This book] is intended to give some, albeit brief, information about the Dakota Indians and the pioneer settlers of the New Ulm area—both defending their land. This book is also intended to help anyone doing research about the defenders and those killed during the Uprising of 1862.”
[This book] “contains extensive list of names for each of the companies that came to help New Ulm during the conflict…names contained on monuments throughout the area…names of Indians killed…”
Click here to purchase this book.
http://www.svenandolesbooks.com/new-ulm-defenders
Visit www.browncountyhistorymn.org to watch I-Pod videos the early settlement of the New Ulm area, it’s people and events surrounding the US-Dakota War of 1862. The Brown County Museum has dedicated an entire 3rd floor to Dakota and early settler artifacts and displays.
Link to the official website for US-Dakota War Commemoration for information on this multi-faceted event. www.browncountydakotawarcommemoration.com
Visit www.dakotavictims1862.com for history, maps, books, grave information.
Hermann Walks Among Us!
In 2004-2005, the statue of Hermann (Arminius) was removed from its pedestal for refurbishing. Learn more about the preservation of this landmark from our Monument History page.
