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.

America First Association button

America First Association button

America First Association brass button, created ca. 1918.

America First Association parade float

America First Association parade float

America First Association float in the Thanksgiving parade, St. Paul, 1918.

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First 1, no. 4 (November 1919)

Anti-Bolshevik cartoon

Anti-Bolshevik cartoon

Anti-Bolshevik cartoon printed in America First 1, no. 3 (Summer 1919).

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First 1, no. 3 (Summer 1919).

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First 1, no. 2 (May 1919).

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First magazine

Cover of America First 1, no. 1 (April 1919).

America First Association poster

America First Association poster

America First Association poster designed by Howard Chandler Christy ca. 1920.

America First Association

The expression “America First” has been used by numerous American organizations and movements since at least 1914. Most of them opposed US involvement in foreign conflicts. The Minnesota-based America First Association (AFA) was an exception in that it was formed to support the United States’ entry into World War I.

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