Germans immigrated to Indianapolis for a variety of reasons; to escape political and religious persecution, or to seek financial success. In any case, they brought with them their own language and traditions. One such tradition was that of lively social organizations which flourished in the late 1800s. Music was an integral element of social life in German communities at this time before the technology of movie theaters, television and radio. And there were social clubs, where the musical groups practiced and audiences gathered to hear them perform. The earliest group in Indianapolis may have been the Turners Society, founded in 1851 to foster fellowship and the German culture. Some of the other clubs included the Maennerchor, Turnverein and Leiderkranz, organizations still in existence today.

Several of these groups, under the leadership of the Socialer Turnverein, voted to build a large club house for their activities. A lot was purchased at Michigan and New Jersey Streets and a stock company was formed. In 1894 the Socialer Turnverein moved into its new headquarters. Called Das Deutsche Haus (The German House}, it indeed became a social, cultural, recreational and sports center, and by no means exclusively for one group. Among the organizations which used the building were the German-English School Society, the German-American Veteran's Society, the Socialer Turnverein Women's Club, the German Ladies' Aid Society and the Turner Building and Savings Association. The new club house was an immediate success, and by the beginning of 1896, there were over 500 members of the new club. Anticipating further growth, the west wing of the building was begun. The entire building was completed in 1898.

The Turnverein invited the Maennerchor (the nation's oldest continuously active men's choir) to join The German House, and when they declined, a competing musical group was founded, called the Musikverein (Music Society). Organized in 1897, it consisted of three distinct ensembles: a 60-piece orchestra, a male chorus and a mixed chorus. The city's oldest orchestra, the Athenaeum Orchestra, still practices and performs in the building today.

Physical fitness was another important element of the German social clubs. On a national scale in 1905, the Southside Turnverein joined with the Socialer Turnverein in sponsoring the national Turnfest. This event included. numerous gymnastic teams from the U.S. and Germany.

In 1907, Indianapolis was chosen as the new home of the Normal Coliege of the American Gymnastic Union, the collegiate training school of the North American Turnerbund. An agreement was reached between the Normal College and the Socialer Turnverein to house the college in the east wing of The German House, which was well suited with its office space and gymnasium. The Normal School's courses for physical education teachers helped establish physical education in schools throughout the country. In 1941, it became part of Indiana University, making the School of Physical Education of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis the oldest school of physical education in the country.

With the advent of World War I, The German House changed its name to the Athenaeum, due to the anti-German attitude of the time. The war caused a sharp Curtailment of German activities and a decline in German organizations and institutions.

Today however, the Athenaeum, with this rich heritage, is still active and is receiving renewed attention. It is owned and operated by the Athenaeum Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of this German-American landmark.

The German-Renaissance Revival Style building is a massive brick structure, designed by Vonnegut and Bohn. Of particular importance are the elaborate ornamentation in some of the brick facade and the gables that face to the south. It contains ballrooms, restaurants, gardens, a rathskeller with a large fireplace, dining halls, meeting rooms, gymnasium, biergarten, band shell and a scholossgarten complete with banners and animal heads providing an Olde World atmosphere. Stained glass windows show elements of music and recreation - horns, harps, cymbals and bowling pins were imported from Germany. It is the only 9th-century cultural center remaining in the city.

The Athenaeum Restaurant (The Rathskeller) is the city's oldest restaurant (since l894) still in operation today. The critically acclaimed American Cabaret Theatre makes its home in the theater. The Athenaeum is located at 401 East Michigan Street. Restoration is in the early stages for this National Historic Landmark (dedicated 
May 24, 2000), and donations, gifts or grants are currently being sought.