A BRIEF HISTORY: THE DALLAS GOETHE CENTER INC.

“On November 26, 1962 I conceived the idea of a German cultural society in Dallas” says a hand-written note that Gershon Canaan, the Founding President of the Dallas Goethe Center, gave us in 1983. He began to recruit like-minded people and supporters who had an interest in the history, culture, literature, and art of the German-speaking world.

In 1965, Canaan, who was then the Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Dr. Gilbert J. Jordan, with the help of several other prominent Dallasites with German cultural interests, determined to found an organization dedicated to the preservation and propagation of the language and culture of the whole German-speaking world. Canaan was a most unusual gentleman, a serving officer in both the British army in World War II and the Israeli army in the 1948 war, and also a fine architect who had settled in Dallas after those tumultuous years. Jordan was the head of the German department at Southern Methodist University, one of the premier private universities in the southwestern United States (SMU), and both felt strongly that an organization was needed to overcome the negative memories of the war years and the terror which had preceded it. Canaan was terribly proud of his German heritage and its music, literature, and art. And thus, the Dallas Goethe Center was formed. In the early days, it met informally at SMU or (as today) in the homes of the members. It was a very small group, but quickly gathered some of the most interesting members of the local German, Swiss, and Austrian communities.

In his greetings and congratulations addressed to the Founders’ Meeting Dr. Willis M. Tate, President of SMU, said “I pay tribute to the untiring leadership given to this project by Dr. Gilbert Jordan, Professor of German, Dr. Gusta Nance, Professor of Comparative Literature, and Gershon Canaan, resident German Honorary Consul”, and he continued “It is particularly significant that we are to have the Dallas Goethe Center located on our campus . . . . It is our intention to promote an appreciation and an understanding of German art, drama, music, language, literature, history, and current affairs.” This great support for the start of the new organizations was further strengthened by the greeting telegrams of the German Embassy in Washington and the Govenor of Texas, which read: “’Please extend my greetings to all attending the first meeting of the Dallas Goethe Society. This is a noteworthy undertaking and I wish you every success’, John Connally, Austin, Texas.” Dr. Tate provided moral support for the effort by serving as the first Honorary President.

As enshrined in its Charter, “The object of the Dallas Goethe Center shall be to promote an appreciation of German art, drama, music, language, literature, and history, a knowledge of current affairs, and to cultivate a mutual understanding and appreciation in fields between the peoples of Germany and the United States.”

One enduring focus of the Dallas Goethe Center was the development and support of the German Day in Texas at the Texas State Fair. This event was inaugurated through the cooperation of the Dallas Goethe Center with many other German clubs in the North Texas area . It celebrates the role that the early German pioneers played in settling Texas and the many contributions they made to the State. Additionally, we remain principal supporters of the annual Pioneer Ball, which we co-sponsor with the German-American Club.

Over the years, the mission of the Dallas Goethe Center expanded, and has included all individuals who spoke German, were interested in or shared the cultural heritage of the whole German-speaking world. This greatly strengthened the membership base of the organization and its influence in Texas.

The Goethe Center has grown from a handful of people in the 1960’s to a membership of over 300 individuals, and has greatly expanded the scope of its programs in recent years.

One of its most important activities is the German language instruction it provides on Saturdays for both children and adults. This program is being expanded to reach many families who live in the northern suburbs of the Dallas “metroplex” by opening a location in Richardson, the center of the computer and telecommunications activity in Texas.

The Goethe Center is governed by an elected Board of Directors of up to 15 members, and is managed by the officers and committee chairmen. Two to 4 programs a month, covering a wide range of activities, are presented, which may range from special tours of museum exhibits to lectures by leading academic, to chamber music recitals and film programs, and to presentation of current musical and cabaret groups from Germany and elsewhere in the German-speaking world. The Goethe Center collaborates with the Goethe Institute (Chicago and New York), American Council on Germany, the Consul General of Germany in Houston, the Consul General of Switzerland, Pro Helvetia and others in providing venue and hospitality for visiting lecturers, notables, and performers.

However, the scope of its activities is somewhat limited for financial reasons. The dues have deliberately been kept at modest levels in order to attract the widest possible membership, especially including students and seniors. The Dallas Goethe Center, Inc, is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, organized under the laws of the State of Texas. Unlike many Goethe Institutes, which are agencies of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Dallas Goethe Center is completely dependent upon the dues and contributions of its members, and upon occasional grants from governmental and charitable institutions.

Given the growing German-speaking population of North Texas, the Dallas Goethe Center is working hard to develop additional resources, to increase its membership, and to create a permanent base through which our culture can be more widely appreciated.