Description
THE GERMAN SOCIETY OF MARYLAND FOUNDED: 1783 PURPOSE: To preserve and promote the German heritage, language and traditions through educational, social, and benevolent programs; and to develop the unity and continuity of the German American community in the State of Maryland. The GERMAN SOCIETY is one of the oldest institutions in America. It was organized in 1793 to protect and assist German-speaking immigrants. It received its charter from the Maryland legislature in 1818. In the 1800’s it was the social service agency of the State of Maryland, which provided aid to German immigrants. In the early 1900’s it persuaded Congress to enact national laws for the protection of immigrants.