Berlin
Nathan Strong Park Bandstand
From Berlin, WI Local History Facebook page
The Berlin Historical Society (BHS) reports:
City Park was originally given to the residents of Berlin by its founder, Nathan Strong. He dedicated the one block square to be forever for the use of the people. Over time, it was nothing more than a grassy area with trees. By 1885, people began to realize its potential as a community gathering place. An editorial in the Berlin Daily Courant, July 7, 1885, began a discussion what could be put in the "park". One suggestion was "if only for a fourth of July speech, a band stand or a seat for a tired or love-lorn couple on a holiday. Now it would cost very little to put a handsome, small pavilion in the center of the park with a tasty roof and some inexpensive seats. Everyone can see not only the addition of such a structure would be to the park, but we understand that the Arion Club promise to play in the park once a week during pleasant weather if some such stand should be provided." The Arion Club was a local community band.
The Berlin, WI Local History reports:
On June 1,1895 mention was made in the Berlin Evening Journal that Berlin should have a bandstand and electric lights in the park for the fine band to play on. On June 5 in the Council minutes a petition that the Council have a stand erected in the public square (now Nathan Strong Park) and illuminated with incandescent lights was referred to the public grounds committee. On June 19, this committee recommended the building of a band stand - not to exceed $150.
On July 24, 1895 the first concert in the new stand was played. The band was the Arion Club, (later known as the Berlin Ariels) organized and directed by local businessman, Herman Stater. There were 25 musicians, men and women.
City Park was originally given to the residents of Berlin by its founder, Nathan Strong. He dedicated the one block square to be forever for the use of the people. Over time, it was nothing more than a grassy area with trees. By 1885, people began to realize its potential as a community gathering place. An editorial in the Berlin Daily Courant, July 7, 1885, began a discussion what could be put in the "park". One suggestion was "if only for a fourth of July speech, a band stand or a seat for a tired or love-lorn couple on a holiday. Now it would cost very little to put a handsome, small pavilion in the center of the park with a tasty roof and some inexpensive seats. Everyone can see not only the addition of such a structure would be to the park, but we understand that the Arion Club promise to play in the park once a week during pleasant weather if some such stand should be provided." The Arion Club was a local community band.
The Berlin, WI Local History reports:
On June 1,1895 mention was made in the Berlin Evening Journal that Berlin should have a bandstand and electric lights in the park for the fine band to play on. On June 5 in the Council minutes a petition that the Council have a stand erected in the public square (now Nathan Strong Park) and illuminated with incandescent lights was referred to the public grounds committee. On June 19, this committee recommended the building of a band stand - not to exceed $150.
On July 24, 1895 the first concert in the new stand was played. The band was the Arion Club, (later known as the Berlin Ariels) organized and directed by local businessman, Herman Stater. There were 25 musicians, men and women.
4/3/2005
Other important structures in the Park include the Civil War monument, located in the Park. Plans for it were started in 1887 and dedicated on October 10, 1894. Another significant structure in the Park is a fountain built in 1903. And, a Wisconsin Marker honors Lucy Smith Morris, a leader of women's political and cultural forums, who helped to organize Wisconsin's League of Women voters.
Regarding the cannons in the Park and from the Berlin, WI Local History Facebook page: The cannons were built in 1857 and are registered in the National Registry of Known Surviving Civil War Cannons! Colonel George Morton began the process to obtain them for display in Berlin, in 1912, and they arrived here about three years later. They’ve been displayed in several locations before being installed in Nathan Strong Park. In 1992, the Berlin Historical Society and the City jointly paid for the reproduction of the carriages on which the cannons sit. Fun fact: when the City first obtained the cannons, it also received two pyramids of cannon balls. The City eventually had to remove the cannon balls because people kept stealing them, despite them being cemented together.
The City Park was the only park in Berlin until the 1930s when a park was built on the west side, called West Side Park. City Park's name was changed to East Side Park. In 1976, to celebrate the Bicentennial, it was renamed and dedicated to its originator, Nathan Strong.
Regarding the cannons in the Park and from the Berlin, WI Local History Facebook page: The cannons were built in 1857 and are registered in the National Registry of Known Surviving Civil War Cannons! Colonel George Morton began the process to obtain them for display in Berlin, in 1912, and they arrived here about three years later. They’ve been displayed in several locations before being installed in Nathan Strong Park. In 1992, the Berlin Historical Society and the City jointly paid for the reproduction of the carriages on which the cannons sit. Fun fact: when the City first obtained the cannons, it also received two pyramids of cannon balls. The City eventually had to remove the cannon balls because people kept stealing them, despite them being cemented together.
The City Park was the only park in Berlin until the 1930s when a park was built on the west side, called West Side Park. City Park's name was changed to East Side Park. In 1976, to celebrate the Bicentennial, it was renamed and dedicated to its originator, Nathan Strong.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Until 2006, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day celebrations were held at the Park.
Band concerts and visiting musician concerts were also annually held.
Other events such as weddings have been held, and
an annual community event "Victorian Days" used the Park as its headquarters with craft and food vendors selling their wares.
Today, farmer's markets are held during the summer along with occasional "Music in the Parks" program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Band concerts and visiting musician concerts were also annually held.
Other events such as weddings have been held, and
an annual community event "Victorian Days" used the Park as its headquarters with craft and food vendors selling their wares.
Today, farmer's markets are held during the summer along with occasional "Music in the Parks" program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The Concert", a watercolor painting by artist Charles Peterson in 2001; Courtesy of the Berlin Historical Society.
|
A pen and ink sketch created by local artist Fred Schmidt; Courtesy of the Berlin Historical Society.
|
Photo courtesy of Berlin Historical Society, date unknown.
|
Photo courtesy of Berlin Historical Society, date unknown.
|
Photo courtesy of Berlin Historical Society, date unknown.
|
|