We're in the process of updating our website! Learn more about what that means and how you can help create history..
click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
Location (Address)
1034 N Vel R. Phillips Ave (AKA 1034 N 4TH ST)
County
Milwaukee
City/Village
Milwaukee
Township
Unincorporated community
Town
Range
Direction
Section
Quarter Section
Quarter Quarter Section
Property Features
Year Built
1882
Additions
Survey Date
2000,2010,2019
Historic Use
Architectural Style
Structural System
Wall Material
Cream Brick
Architect
Henry C. Koch
Other Buildings On Site
Demolished
No
Demolished Date
Additional Comments
A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation. The WHS holds a covenant on this property in perpetuity. BECAME A NHL ON 11/15/1996.
Turner Hall is as German as Milwaukee gets, yet its exterior offers little clue as to the building's ethnic roots. The Turnverein date from 1811 when Frederick Ludwig Jahn founded the first Turnverein in Germany, teaching gymnastics and calisthenics for physical fitness and mental self-improvement. Turners linked such self-improvement to wider political and social reforms. Turner reform impulses underlay Germany's unsuccessful liberal revolutions in 1848. When German immigrants fled to America in the 1840s and 1850s, they established the Milwaukee Turnverein in 1853.
While most American Turnvereins became social and cultural clubs after the Civil War, the Milwaukee Turnverein never relaxed its quest for political reform. Beginning in the 1890s, the organization forged close ties to the local and national Socialist parties. Many Milwaukee Turners were involved in radical journalism, labor organizing, or won election to local or national offices. In 1910, two prominent Turners took office: Victor Berger, America's first Socialist congressman, and Emil Seidel, the first of Milwaukee’s Socialist mayors.
Interior remodeling in 1995 brought Turner Hall back to life. Above the spacious oak-paneled first-floor dining areas are murals depicting patriotic American historic events. Historic photographs display the Turners’s gymnastic regimen and social festivities. At the rear of the building, a two-story members-only gymnasium, still used by Turners, retains its original features. A 1930s fire closed the maple-floored two-story ballroom that occupies most of the second and third floors. A deliberate restoration effort reveals decorative gilt on blue wall stenciling, cherubim that inhabit murals on the curved ceiling, a raked stage that enabled audiences to enjoy each performer’s intricate footwork, and a massive gas chandelier with mirrored reflectors, among the largest of these rare fixtures extant in Wisconsin. Of Milwaukee’s several original Turner buildings, this alone survives.
Julius Hauboldt was the masonry contractor. Last map code was 151/20 on a LUQS 392 map.
Surveyed for Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey, SHPO#10-0983, Prepared by Heritage Research (2010). Update photo provided.
This Romanesque Revival clubhouse, "Turner Hall," was erected in 1882-1883 and designed by Henry Koch. The
Turner Society was established in Milwaukee in 1853. Several halls were once located throughout the city; however,
the subject hall now stands as the sole testament to the Turner organization, which continues to operate today. Turner
Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, designated as a city landmark in 1986 and, as a
National Historic Landmark, in 1996. Because of the structure's national significance, it was determined that it should
be noted that Turner Hall stands within approximately 1 1/2 blocks from the project area.
Covenant/Easement: In Perpetuity. Effective 3-29-2007. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
2019 - Resurveyed (streetcar project). NR-listed, NHL-designated. Update photo.
Turner Hall is as German as Milwaukee gets, yet its exterior offers little clue as to the building's ethnic roots. The Turnverein date from 1811 when Frederick Ludwig Jahn founded the first Turnverein in Germany, teaching gymnastics and calisthenics for physical fitness and mental self-improvement. Turners linked such self-improvement to wider political and social reforms. Turner reform impulses underlay Germany's unsuccessful liberal revolutions in 1848. When German immigrants fled to America in the 1840s and 1850s, they established the Milwaukee Turnverein in 1853.
While most American Turnvereins became social and cultural clubs after the Civil War, the Milwaukee Turnverein never relaxed its quest for political reform. Beginning in the 1890s, the organization forged close ties to the local and national Socialist parties. Many Milwaukee Turners were involved in radical journalism, labor organizing, or won election to local or national offices. In 1910, two prominent Turners took office: Victor Berger, America's first Socialist congressman, and Emil Seidel, the first of Milwaukee’s Socialist mayors.
Interior remodeling in 1995 brought Turner Hall back to life. Above the spacious oak-paneled first-floor dining areas are murals depicting patriotic American historic events. Historic photographs display the Turners’s gymnastic regimen and social festivities. At the rear of the building, a two-story members-only gymnasium, still used by Turners, retains its original features. A 1930s fire closed the maple-floored two-story ballroom that occupies most of the second and third floors. A deliberate restoration effort reveals decorative gilt on blue wall stenciling, cherubim that inhabit murals on the curved ceiling, a raked stage that enabled audiences to enjoy each performer’s intricate footwork, and a massive gas chandelier with mirrored reflectors, among the largest of these rare fixtures extant in Wisconsin. Of Milwaukee’s several original Turner buildings, this alone survives.
Julius Hauboldt was the masonry contractor. Last map code was 151/20 on a LUQS 392 map.
Surveyed for Milwaukee Downtown Connector Arch/History Survey, SHPO#10-0983, Prepared by Heritage Research (2010). Update photo provided.
This Romanesque Revival clubhouse, "Turner Hall," was erected in 1882-1883 and designed by Henry Koch. The
Turner Society was established in Milwaukee in 1853. Several halls were once located throughout the city; however,
the subject hall now stands as the sole testament to the Turner organization, which continues to operate today. Turner
Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, designated as a city landmark in 1986 and, as a
National Historic Landmark, in 1996. Because of the structure's national significance, it was determined that it should
be noted that Turner Hall stands within approximately 1 1/2 blocks from the project area.
Covenant/Easement: In Perpetuity. Effective 3-29-2007. A 'covenant file' exists for this property. It may contain additional information such as photos, drawings and correspondence. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office.
2019 - Resurveyed (streetcar project). NR-listed, NHL-designated. Update photo.
Bibliographic References
BUILT IN MILWAUKEE, LANDSCAPE RESEARCH, P. 9.
MILWAUKEE HISTORIC BUILDINGS TOUR: KILBOURNTOWN, CITY OF MILWAUKEE DEPARTMENT OF CITY DEVELOPMENT, 1994.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL 5/17/1995.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL 9/18/1996.
Black River Falls Banner Journal 3/19/1997.
Milwaukee Landmark Form.
Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript.
Pagel, Mary Ellen & Virginia A Palmer, University Extension The University of Wisconsin, Guides to Historic Milwaukee: Kilbourntown Walking Tour, 1967.
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
National/State Register Listing Name
Turner Hall
National Register Listing Date
Nov 07, 1977
State Register Listing Date
Jan 01, 1989
Contributing
National Historic Landmark Status Granted
Nov 15, 1996
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Contact Us
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
National or State Regi...
1034 N. 4th St.
77000041
Located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
Go to top
