Immigration | Page 22

International Institute of Minnesota

The International Institute in St. Paul opened on December 12, 1919. For one hundred years, it has helped meet the needs of immigrants, refugees, and asylees beginning their new lives in Minnesota.

Sisters of St. Benedict in front of the Gardner family house

Sisters of St. Benedict in front of the Gardner family house (301 Summit Avenue, St. Paul) in 1948. Used with the permission of the Germanic-American Institute.

Visitors entering the Germanic-American Institute.

Visitors entering the Germanic-American Institute, ca. 2010s. Used with the permission of the Germanic-American Institute.

German-American Institute at Christmas time

The exterior of the Germanic-American Institute decorated for Christmas, ca. 2010s. Used with the permission of the Germanic-American Institute.

Germanic-American Institute

In 1957, a group of German clubs based in the Twin Cities came together to form the Volksfest Association, which represented German Minnesotans at that year’s centennial statehood celebration. After the centennial, eager to obtain an official building, it raised money through selling bonds and organizing fundraising events. In 1965, it purchased a home on Summit Avenue for $57,500 and refurbished the interior to accommodate large social gatherings.