Join the Society

The German Society of Pennsylvania, founded in 1764, is the oldest German organization in the United States.  It was founded to protect German immigrants from unscrupulous shipping agents and to ensure just treatment on their arrival here.

Since that time, the German Society has dedicated its efforts to preserving German heritage. This it does, for instance, by offering a full-fledged German language program as well as scholarships and prizes to students of German. In addition, the Society is a source of cultural programs, lectures, film series, and seminars. These events build bridges and strengthen national and international relations among individuals, organizations, businesses, and governments.

The fine arts program also includes presentations that feature music and literature as well as access to the Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library for education and research. The newly-restored Library, holding over 50,000 volumes, is the largest private German library outside the Federal Republic of Germany.

In serving its members and the community, and in all its undertakings, the Society strives to benefit anyone in need of its resources.

Membership Levels

The benefits of membership at all levels:
The Society offers cultural and social events, language classes, conversation groups, talks, films, concerts, outings, educational and cultural outreach, newsletters and access to the largest private German library in the country.

Members receive:
--the Society's quarterly newsletter
--borrowing privileges at the Library
--invitations to special events, receptions, and parties
--discounts for tickets to some of our events

Corporate Members also receive:
--2 complimentary tickets to the Wister Concert Series

Benefactors receive:
--all benefits listed above

Associate Members enjoy all the rights and benefits of Society membership except the right to vote and to hold office.