Wednesday, November 30th -0001
Turner Hall: Things you didn't know
By Jessie Spiess
Rock climbing at Turner Hall may not be the first thing you think of when going out in Milwaukee. But physical fitness is just what Turner Hall was built for. Originally a German
society called Turn Verein, the group’s attention to physical fitness
and politics has earned them an iconic name in just about every American city. The name “ Turn Verein”
actually comes from the German
word for gymnastics, a favorite form of exercise. The first Turner organizations
in the US were founded in 1848 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Turner Hall, built in 1882, is now a historic restaurant, fitness center and music venue. The building exudes historical
relevance with its fine woodworking
and Cream City brick exterior.
The downstairs restaurant is home to Milwaukee’s Most Famous Fish Fries; the building’s location, across from the Bradley Center, makes it a perfect pre-game stop for dinner and drinks. The fitness center offers gymnastics, fencing and rock climbing.Turner Hall Ballroom hosts a myriad of musicians in the upstairs
venue. With remnants of finely painted décor and its large, grandiose
staircase, this space is wholly distinct as a Milwaukee venue. The Ballroom suffered significant fire damage in 1933 and 1941. Years gone by, a Trust has been established
to restore its historic charm. The beauty of Turner Hall lies within their ability to uphold the slogan the Turners lived by: “ A Sound Mind” comes from music in your ears, “in a Sound Body” that keeps a fully belly.
