About Us
Purpose
Purpose: The purpose of the German Society of Maryland is to preserve and promote the German heritage, language, and traditions through educational, social and benevolent programs; and to develop the unity and continuity of the German American community in the State of Maryland.
History
The German Society of Maryland was founded in 1783 and received a corporate charter from the Maryland legislature in 1818. The original function of the Society was to help new German immigrants in need, to match new arrivals with jobs, and to to improve their lives. Among the incorporators were General John Stricker, the hero of the Battle of North Point, and Jacob Small, the mayor of Baltimore. When the Society was founded, it included persons of German-speaking ancestry from many areas of Europe.
Pioneers in Service
The History of the German Society of Maryland, 1783 – 1981
by Klaus G. Wust
Two Hundred Years: The German Society of Maryland
From Aid to Indentured Servants to Scholarship Awards for Maryland Students
by Dr. Armin Mruck (1983)
Membership
Anyone interested in promoting and preserving the German heritage in Maryland may join the Society. We welcome you regardless of ethnic or religious background. Annual dues are $25 per year. Teachers receive a reduced membership rate of $15. Student membership is free. Lifetime memberships are $250.