The Teutonia Männerchor Hall (), in the
Deutschtown neighborhood of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsylva ...
, is a building constructed in 1888. It was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
in 2004.
[ The Teutonia Männerchor is a private membership club with the purpose of furthering choral singing, ]German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
cultural traditions and good fellowship. The club features a number of heritage activities and celebrations, including choral singing in German and folk dancing.["About the Teutonia Männerchor"]
History
The Teutonia Männerchor was founded in 1854 as an offspring of an organization called “Liederkranz” founded in 1851 by Rev. Karl R. Weiterhausen. Later, the Liederkranz became the Freier Männerchor and then the Teutonia Männerchor. The name Teutonia is in reference to one of the oldest German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
** Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
Tribes. The Teutonia Männerchor is a part of the Pittsburgh district of the Nord-Amerikanischer Sängerbund
The Nord-Amerikanischer Sängerbund (English: North American Singers' Association) is an association which promotes the culture of German music, culture and song.
Eligibility for the association is open to any independent Germanic singing soci ...
.
The first meetings were held in the basement of an old Lutheran
Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Cathol ...
Church on Canal Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1882, the chorus practiced in Dahlingers Hall at 121 Madison Avenue in Pittsburgh. The chorus then moved to the old Masonic Hall
A Masonic Temple or Masonic Hall is, within Freemasonry, the room or edifice where a Masonic Lodge meets. Masonic Temple may also refer to an abstract spiritual goal and the conceptual ritualistic space of a meeting.
Development and history
In ...
in Old Allegheny City
Allegheny City was a municipality that existed in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania from 1788 until it was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907. It was located north across the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh, with its southwest border formed by ...
. Under President Henry Bergman, the property of St. Peters Church on Pike Street was purchased on February 28, 1887 (Later renamed Phineas Street). The Charter of Incorporation was approved on April 9, 1887 and the present building was built.
The land for the building cost $5,000.00 USD, and the building was erected for $8,800. The architect was George Ott
George Ott (born 22 October 2001) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays for NPL Victoria club Melbourne Knights as a striker.
Club career
He made his professional debut on 5 January 2022 in a FFA Cup match against A-League Men sid ...
and the contractor Stipecke Brothers. “Fachwerk
Timber framing (german: Holzfachwerk) and "post-and-beam" construction are traditional methods of building with heavy timbers, creating structures using squared-off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden ...
“, a distinctive type of German architecture
The architecture of Germany has a long, rich and diverse history. Every major European style from Roman to Postmodern is represented, including renowned examples of Carolingian, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Modern and ...
, was used for the exterior of the building. This traditional theme has been maintained inside and out to the present day.
The first meeting in the Hall was held on July 15, 1888. The Hall's official dedication took place on October 15, 1888. The decorations were furnished by the Joseph Horne Company of Pittsburgh. Initiation fees were set at $5.00 and dues at $3.00 per year.
The 50th Anniversary of Teutonia was celebrated in grand style on September 26 & 27, 1904, including a parade through the North Side of Pittsburgh.
In 1934, the first floor (or basement) was remodeled. Most of the work was done without compensation by members, and it became a Ratskeller
Ratskeller (German: "council's cellar", pl. ''Ratskeller'', historically ''Rathskeller'') is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall (''Rathaus'') or nearby. Many taverns, nightclubs, ba ...
in true German style. In its 80th anniversary year, the organization amended its constitution to honor members of 25 years of service with an honorary “Life Member” membership: This practice continues today. In 1947 the club purchased two adjoining houses to accommodate additions to the Hall, for which $27,000.00 was expended for improvements.
The 100-year Centennial
{{other uses, Centennial (disambiguation), Centenary (disambiguation)
A centennial, or centenary in British English, is a 100th anniversary or otherwise relates to a century, a period of 100 years.
Notable events
Notable centennial events at ...
was celebrated in 1954, and on May 16th that year a banquet was held in the upper Sängerhall as well as a concert at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Music Hall on Saturday, June 12, 1954. At the time there were 897 members, including 65 singers in the Male Chorus and 45 singers in the Ladies Chorus.
In 1979, Teutonia celebrated its 125th anniversary, and Seven German Coats of Arms
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ge ...
were donated to the club. The crests designate various areas of Germany and are now permanent fixtures on the walls of the upstairs Sängerhall.
Many improvements were made during the 1980s and 1990s. All outside walls were restored, air conditioning was added to the upstairs Sängerhall and kitchen, and bar equipment was replaced. In very recent years members have erected an outdoor Biergarten adjacent to the structure to enhance the club's social gathering opportunities.
References
External links
Official Teutonia Männerchor Website
{{National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania
Clubhouses in Pittsburgh
Cultural infrastructure completed in 1888
Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks
German-American culture in Pennsylvania
German-American history
National Register of Historic Places in Pittsburgh