The Swiss American Historical Society: A Retrospective and an Invitation
It started on 4 July 1927 in Chicago: Three Swiss Ð Ernest A. KŸbler, Bruno Bachmann, and August RŸedy Ð got together and decided that like other ethnic groups Swiss living in the United States needed an organization that would keep the memory of Swiss involved in American history alive. First things went well. The Swiss American Historical Society, in short SAHS, was incorporated on 20 December 1927 and published its first book in 1932 which offers seventy-one well done biographical sketches of Prominent Americans of Swiss Origin. But then dissension grew over the direction of the organization. The economic depression of the 1930s and World War II, furthermore, focused attention away from the past on the difficult present, and peopleÕs interest gradually dwindled. After 1950 the SAHS became dormant and by 1962 faced dissolution.
The Embassy of Switzerland in Washington came to the rescue. In 1963 its cultural counselor Lukas F. Burckhardt (1908-2003) energetically pursued a reactivation and gained the support of men like the historian Karl Heinz Meier (1929-1989), the linguist Augustin Maissen (1921-1992), and the businessman Philip Gelzer. They were agreed that the SAHS had to be rebuilt by taking small, but firm steps. A newsletter was issued, an annual meeting held, and eventually publishing books featuring Swiss American topics resumed. The effort proved successful. In their business segment the annual meetings safeguarded the SAHSÕ organizational health and their afternoon session added a scholarly dimension to the social gathering. A newsletter, later turned into a professional journal and since the year 2000 expertly published by Picton Press, is in its 42nd year and the volumes contain a treasure trove of information. By 2006 the SAHS has also published 25 books that deal with genealogy, memoirs, biographies of Swiss Americans, and stories of Swiss settlements. The trilogy of novels by Carol Williams explores the lives of an 18th century Toggenburg family in South Carolina. In 2006 Dr. Margot Ammann Durrer prepared and funded an English updated version of the richly illustrated genealogy of her Schaffhausen family. The SAHS book now in press will offer a carefully researched biography of the great Swiss American botanist Leo Lesquereux (1806-1889) from Ct. Neuch‰tel, an interpretation of his outlook, and an English version of his 1853 emigrant guide.
What will the future bring? It looks bright. Possible projects abound; finances, though modest, are healthy; and the SAHSÕs leadership is dedicated and effective. NEEDED, however: MEMBERS! Especially younger ones who are willing to carry on the fully voluntary work! WhatÕs in for you for joining? Three SAHS Reviews a year; a free book every year or so that like the journal features Swiss American topics; and an invitation to an annual and occasionally to a regional meeting. Nothing world-shaking indeed, but the joy of learning about the lives, struggles, and achievements of Swiss Americans before us! 