The House of Germany was founded in 1935 and its mission is to unite Germans, people of German descent and their families, and others interested in the German culture and heritage. In its cottage German artifacts and information are on display.

House of Germany Choir:
The choir meets on Wednesdays in the House of Germany cottage at 7:30pm for rehearsals. It takes a summer break June through August.

Several times during the year the choir receives invitations to participate in music festivals in Northern California, Orange County, and San Diego events, as well as occasionally to private parties.

The choir performs at several occasions throughout the year: the annual Spring fest and Christmas celebration, and at the annual lawn program of the House of Germany on the stage in the lawn area.

Our repertoire includes German music from medieval times, classic, folk, and pop songs, musical and operetta.

Kaffeeklatsch:
This group meets Thursdays from 1:00 – 4:00 pm once a month in the House of  Germany for a social gathering. During the summer months they meet at the De Anza Cove, San Diego Bay.

Spring Festival :
This event is hosted by the “Heimatklang Choir” on behalf of the House of Germany at the end of March each year. Several choirs of the Southern California area and Soloists are invited as guests to make it a musical festival.

Lawn Program: 
Hosted by the House of Germany at the end of September to celebrate the Unification of Germany on October 3, 1990 and the German Day on October 6th, as proclaimed by President Reagan in 1987.  It is also the time of the much celebrated October Fest. Entertainment is provided by the “Heimatklang Choir”, a German Brass Band and Folk Dancers.

Traditional food of Bratwurst, Sauerkraut and Potato Salad is served, as well asa variety of German cake, coffee and lemonade.

At the Ethnic Food Fair and also at the International Christmas Festival the menu is the same. In December hot cider and hot chocolate is offered too. Check HPR events for more information.

Picnic:
A picnic is held during the summer months with catered food and entertainment for adults and children.

Christmas Celebration:                  
The second Sunday in December is the time for the annual Christmas Party and the installation of the Executive Board for the following year.  It is celebrated with a festive program by the “Heimatklang Choir” and a delightful program by the children of the Kinder Workshop. The children receive gifts from Santa Claus.

On Christmas Eve, every year, the “Heimatklang Choir” and the Germania Choir of El Cajon combine their talents to present Christmas songs for the German Service at 5:00pm in the First Lutheran Church, located at Ash St. and 3rd Ave. in Downtown San Diego.

Kinder Workshop: 
The Kinderwerkstatt offers a variety of German immersion classes for all age groups. In addition to teaching the language the program’s focus lies on celebrating the German culture and its holidays. Classes are available online as well as in person at the House of Germany. Their summer recess is June, July and August.

For 300 years immigrants from all parts of Germany have come to America in search of freedom, social justice, pursuit of happiness and fortune. They have greatly contributed to shape America by bringing their talents in every imaginable trade or profession, from Nobel price winner to craftsmen and farmers.

In California, in 1884, a German colony “Olivenhain” which means olive grove was established to create a German settlement in Southern California. The Olivenhain Meeting Hall remains today as a historical monument of the colonie’s social activities at that time.

Claus Spreckels, born in Landstedt/Hannover, came to the U.S. in 1846 and became known as the Sugar King of the Pacific Coast.  His son John D. generously donated the Spreckels Organ Pavillion and the famous outside organ to San Diego for the opening of the 1915 Panama Exposition. Architect Harrison Albright designed the Spreckels Theatre for San Diego’s premier philanthropist, sugar heir John D. Spreckels, who wanted the best for his adopted city. The Spreckels Theater opened August 1912.

Another example of a true German entrepreneur is Albert Ecke who immigrated to the Los Angeles area in 1906.  In 1923 he and his son Paul came to Encinitas and started to grow poinsettias and introduced them as a Christmas flower to this country and later to the whole world.

During the American Revolution, General Frederick Wilhelm von Steuben helped train the Continental Army at Valley Forge; General Nicholas Herkimer led German settlers in New York’s Mohawk Valley into the battle.

German-American Day Proclamation:
In 1987,  Congress enacted Public Law 100-104 designating October 6th  as German-American Day. A proclamation was issued by President Reagan on October 2, 1987 in a Rose Garden Ceremony calling on the American people to observe this day with appropriate celebrations and activities.  The date was chosen because on October 6, 1683 the first group of Germans sailed with Captain John Smith into Philadelphia Harbor on the Concord. Individual Germans had arrived before that date. Since then every President proclaimed October 6th to be German-American Day in honor of the contributions made by German immigrants to the life and culture of the United States.

The House of Germany will continue

• to foster outreach programs into the community,
• to support international understanding,
  
• to further and support youth,
  
• to cultivate social activities with its members and the community.

The House of Germany welcomes new members and is also seeking singers to expand their choir.

For further information you can call 619-296-9522.

Land Area: 357,021 sq km                           
Population:  82,400,996 (July 2007 est.)
Capital City: Berlin                                        
Language:  German
Religion: Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%
Form of Government: federal republic
Economy: Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy - the fifth largest in the world in PPP terms - showed considerable improvement in 2006 with 2.2% growth.
Export: machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles

Source: The World Factbook - Germany