ACPL Genealogy Center and German Heritage Society to Celebrate Society's 40th Anniversary with Free, Day-Long Event
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Genealogy Center and the Fort Wayne German Heritage Society will mark the Society's 40th anniversary with an afternoon of genealogy, history, and German heritage celebrations. The event will highlight the cultural traditions and family stories that have shaped Fort Wayne's German community.
"For 40 years, the German Heritage Society has helped keep Fort Wayne's German story alive, and the Genealogy Center is proud to celebrate that milestone alongside them," said Gabi Jauregui, ACPL Youth Services Coordinator and German Heritage Society Member. "This event is a chance for families to connect with their own histories and see how German immigrants shaped this community."
Representatives/members from many Fort Wayne German Clubs will be attending, including the German Heritage Society, Fort Wayne Männerchor-Damenchor (choir), Fort Wayne Sports Club, Fort Wayne Turners, and Fort Wayne Sister Cities International.
The ACPL's Genealogy Manager Curt Witcher shared his thoughts: "The German Heritage Society has spent 40 years preserving and sharing the history of German immigrants and their descendants and the Genealogy Center, an international gathering place for family history research and finding families’ stories, is a natural home for the celebration. We're pleased to play a part in celebrating this great milestone!”
WHAT: German Heritage Society’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
WHERE: Main Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
WHO: The free event is open to all ages, and the community is invited to explore their own family histories – German or otherwise!
SCHEDULE:
12 to 1 p.m.: Tours of The Genealogy Center
1 to 1:30 p.m.: Männerchor-Damenchor performance
2 to 3 p.m.: James Beidler will present a lecture "German Immigrant Waves: Contrasts and Sources.” Free reception and refreshments will follow until 5 p.m.
3 to 5 p.m.: Screening of PBS Documentary “Fort Wayne: A Most German Town”
3 to 5 p.m.: German language consultations and document translations
More information can be found at acpl.info/events.
