Max Kade Institute Library Project

FAIN: CH-50975-13

University of Wisconsin System (Madison, WI 53715-1218)
Cora Lee Kluge (Project Director: May 2011 to November 2017)

Remodeling the new Max Kade Institute Library and Archives and endowment for a librarian/archivist position and for acquisitions.

The Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (MKI) requests a NEH Challenge Grant in the amount of $300,000 to anchor the MKI’s $1,200,000 “Library Project” campaign. Funds will be used to (1) remodel the new and expanded home of the MKI Library and Archives ($700,000) and (2) establish an endowment to support a librarian/archivist position and provide a small acquisition budget ($500,000). NEH support will enable the MKI to (1) create a state-of-the-art research and outreach space for its Library and Archives and expand its collections; (2) ensure financial security for the position of a specialized librarian/archivist; and (3) increase the quantity and quality of its humanities programming. The MKI will be able to present more comprehensive services to students, scholars, and the public and also attract new audiences to American materials written and recorded in languages other than English.

Media Coverage

Max Kade Institute finds new home in University Club (Media Coverage)
Publication: University of Wisconsin News
Date: 10/23/2014
Abstract: Announcement of the Max Kade Institute's move to the University Club.
URL: http://news.wisc.edu/23231

Directors' Corner and We Have Moved! Visit Us in Our New Home at the University Club (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Antje Petty, Cora Lee Kluge, Mark Louden
Publication: Max Kade Institute Friends Newsletter
Date: 11/11/2014
Abstract: These two pieces with images announce the Max Kade Institute's move to its new home, which was renovated and refurbished with support from a NEH Challenge grant. They also report on the reception and open house that were held on October 31, 2014. The publication is a 16-page hard-copy newsletter, which is mailed to the members of the Friends of the Max Kade Institute. Newsletters have a print run of 500 copies, and back issues are posted online. Click on "Newsletter Fall 2014."
URL: http://mkifriends.org/

Max Kade Institute Moves to New Location (Media Coverage)
Publication: Society for German-American Studies Newsletter
Date: 12/1/2014
Abstract: Description of the new home and location of the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies

Outside the Kaiserreich (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Antje Petty
Publication: Society for German-American Studies Newsletter
Date: 11/1/2015
Abstract: Report on the Max Kade Institute's conference "Outside the Kaiserreich: The German Diaspora in the World War I Era"

Associated Products

UW-Madison University Club, 4th floor (Building)
Name: UW-Madison University Club, 4th floor
Abstract: Thanks to the NEH Challenge grant, the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies was able to renovate and refurbish the fourth floor of the University Club building on the UW-Madison campus. The grant allowed us to create additional and improved space for the Institute's Library and Archives. Our patrons now have better access to the Institute's resources, and we are able to show exhibits on our own premises that are open to the public.
Director: Cora Lee Kluge
Director: Mark Louden
Year: 2014
Address: University Club University of Wisconsin-Madison 432 East Campus Mall Madison, WI 53706
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu
Primary URL Description: Max Kade Institute URL

German Immigration to America and Research at the Max Kade Institute (Exhibition)
Title: German Immigration to America and Research at the Max Kade Institute
Curator: Kevin Kurdylo
Abstract: This product was the first exhibit created for the Max Kade Institute's new exhibit space in the Institute's new location at the University Club on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The exhibit consists of 16 full-size text and image panels, as well as twenty selected artifacts. The exhibit gives an overview of immigration from German-speaking lands to America, explains the mission and history of the Max Kade Institute, and highlights current research and outreach projects, such as the Pennsylvania Dutch Documentation Project and the Milwaukee German Theater Project. The exhibit opened in October 2014.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu
Primary URL Description: Web site of the Max Kade Institute

Carl Schurz Through the Lens of His Personal Library (Exhibition)
Title: Carl Schurz Through the Lens of His Personal Library
Curator: Kevin Kurdylo
Abstract: This exhibit showcases and interprets materials from the personal library of Carl Schurz, a German-American immigrant. Schurz was a prominent politician and supporter of Abraham Lincoln and served as Secretary of the Interior from 1877 to 1881. Thanks to the NEH Challenge grant, the Max Kade Institute now has the space to display the Carl Schurz collection, which previously was housed in off-site storage.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu
Primary URL Description: Web site of the Max Kade Institute

Outside the Kaiserreich: The German Diaspora in the World War I Era (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Outside the Kaiserreich: The German Diaspora in the World War I Era
Author: Cora Lee Kluge
Author: Mark Louden
Author: Werner Sollors
Author: Walter Kamphoefner
Author: Felecia Lucht
Author: Sarah Panter
Author: Pamela Potter
Author: Julie Allen
Author: Stefan Manz
Author: Winson Chu
Author: Weijia Li
Author: Duane Stolzfus
Abstract: In October 2015, the Max Kade Institute organized a three-day interdisciplinary symposium to look at the complex situations and dynamics of societies with German populations on the periphery or outside the borders of the German Empire at a time of global armed conflict. Presentations addressed questions of ethnic, national, and personal identity; concepts of loyalty and duty; different political reactions to ethnic minorities in different countries; interactions among different ethnic minorities; language maintenance and language shift; the effects of the war on religious and cultural traditions; rural and urban divides; and other topics. The event was free and open to the public. It was held at the Max Kade Institute/ University Club and the University Pyle Center
Date Range: October 8 -10, 2015
Location: Max Kade Institute, University Club and Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin Madison
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu/content/their-own-words-german-americans-world-war-i-era
Primary URL Description: "Outside the Kaiserreich: The German Diaspora in the World War I Era" event page, including program and schedule.

In Their Own Words: German Americans in the World War I Era (Exhibition)
Title: In Their Own Words: German Americans in the World War I Era
Curator: Kevin Kurdylo
Abstract: In October 2015, the Max Kade Institute created an exhibit in conjunction with an international conference titled "Outside the Kaisserreich: The German Diaspora in the World War I Era." Drawing on the resources of the Max Kade Institute Library & Archives, the exhibit has been on display in the Institute's new NEH-Challenge Grant funded exhibit space at the University Club. It includes archival materials and interpretative posters. A digital version of the exhibit posters can be viewed online. The exhibit showcases German-language documents published in the United States during the World War I Era. It offers a glimpse into German-Americans' view of the world, as well as their position in American society.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu/content/their-own-words-german-americans-world-war-i-era
Primary URL Description: Max Kade Institute virtual exhibit of "In Their Own Words: German Americans in the World War I Era" (interpretative posters only)

Deciphering Old German Script (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Deciphering Old German Script
Author: Mark Louden
Abstract: Based on resources from the Max Kade Institute archives, this workshop introduces participants to the basics of reading German handwritten materials, with a special focus on those from the 19th century. The workshop combines presentations with practical exercises. Participants are welcome to bring copies of documents they are interested in working on. Open to the public. Registration required
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu/events/2016/workshop-deciphering-old-german-script
Primary URL Description: "Deciphering Old German Script" workshop description
Audience: General Public

New Max Kade Institute Website with Searchable Database and Digital Archives (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: New Max Kade Institute Website with Searchable Database and Digital Archives
Author: Kevin Kurdylo
Author: Antje Petty
Abstract: The Max Kade Institute created a new and improved website with a strong focus on the MKI Library and Archive. A user-friendly interface allows an easy online search of the MKI Library Catalog as well as digital resources from the MKI archives. New content is regularly being added to the catalog and the digital collection.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu
Primary URL Description: Max Kade Institute home page
Secondary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu/library
Secondary URL Description: Max Kade Institute Library and Archive, digital collections
Access Model: open access

People of Faith, Languages of Tradition: Germanic Heritage Languages among Christians and Jews (Exhibition)
Title: People of Faith, Languages of Tradition: Germanic Heritage Languages among Christians and Jews
Curator: Kevin Kurdylo
Abstract: German-American materials from the Max Kade Institute collection shown in conjunction with a conference of the same name.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: http://mki.wisc.edu

People of Faith, Languages of Tradition: Germanic Heritage Languages among Christians and Jews (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: People of Faith, Languages of Tradition: Germanic Heritage Languages among Christians and Jews
Author: Mark L. Louden
Author: Heinrich Siemens
Author: Christopher Cox
Author: Jürg Fleischer
Author: Miriam Isaacs
Author: Joshua Brown
Author: Lynn Marcus Miller
Author: Steven Hartman Kaiser
Author: Tony Waldner
Author: Guido Seiler
Author: Henry Sapoznik
Author: Sunny Yudkoff
Abstract: Of the approximately 7,000 languages spoken around the world today, more than half are likely to no longer be spoken actively by the turn of the next century. In almost every case, these languages are spoken by groups of people, often indigenous, who are minorities in the larger societies in which they live. There are, however, a small group of minority languages that are not endangered and which in fact are enjoying robust vitality. In North America there are four such languages, which are spoken in conservative Christian and Jewish religious communities: Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish and Old Order Mennonites); Mennonite Low German (Old Colony Mennonites); Hutterite German (Hutterites); and Yiddish (Haredi Jews). The growth of these groups is exponential due to the twin factors of high birth rates and low attrition, thereby ensuring the sociolinguistic health of the languages they speak. This symposium will bring together an international group of researchers specializing in these languages with Amish, Mennonite, Hutterite, and Haredi community members to explore sociolinguistic aspects of the social-spiritual identities of these faith groups. On Thursday evening, March 30, the symposium will open with a panel discussion of community members moderated by MKI Director Mark Louden, followed by a reception. (University Club) Friday morning and afternoon and Saturday morning will feature 45-minute presentations by the invited speakers. (Pyle Center) On Friday evening, we will have a reading of literary works in the four languages that evoke the themes of the symposium. English translations will be projected onto a screen for the benefit of the attendees. (Pyle Center)
Date Range: March 30 - April 1, 2017
Location: UW-Madison Campus: Max Kade Institute, University Club, Pyle Center
Primary URL: http://https://mki.wisc.edu/events/2017/people-faith-languages-tradition-germanic-heritage-languages-among-christians-and-jews
Primary URL Description: Conference URL with links to program and abstracts

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