About New Ulm
New Ulm is a rural community of 13,000 in southwestern Minnesota. An hour and a half drive from the metropolitan area of Minneapolis, cultural heritage tourism supplements the area's agriculture-based economy.
Cultural Setting and Context
New Ulm was settled by German immigrants in 1854. Frederrick Beinhorn, a German immigrant living in Chicago, organized the Chicago Land Society to look for a town site. The name, New Ulm, was selected because many of the original settlers were from the Province of Wurttemberg, Germany and the principal city in this Province was Ulm. This community has maintained its German heritage since the founding of the city and uses many venues to maintain this strong theme. The festivals are designed to celebrate the community's history and share it with others.
Heritage Resources
While the city is a thriving, modern, but small community with contemporary attractions that has paid special attention to its German immigrant roots, it uses its German heritage to guide its physical, social, and economic development. New Ulm continues to integrate its architecture, culture, festivals, and other activities to make this city a wonderful place to visit.
Key Attractions and Activities that Reflect this Tradition
- The Concord Singers
This male vocal group, founded in 1931, was organized to preserve the German musical heritage of New Ulm. This group performs internationally and nationally as well as for local groups. It has made TV and radio appearances as well as recordings. This group performs two to three times weekly and provides a major highlight for visitors to this area, along with several polka bands that perform throughout the year.
- Architecture
Several buildings in the community reflect the German heritage of New Ulm. The Brown County Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1970s, several building owners in the community did a major facade renovation to be consistent with this German heritage. The August Schell Brewing Company has been in continual service since 1860 and has outstanding architecture. Several other notable buildings are: the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity; the Glockenspiel Tower; and the John Lind House.
- Festivals
This is a community of German festivals. Some of the key festivals include: Bavarian Blast, an Old World celebration of history and culture; Fasching, a German music festival; Octoberfest, a traditional fall festival; Christmas Holidays featuring a Parade of Lights, St. Nicholas Day, Taste of Christmas, Sounds of Christmas and a Gnome Christmas.
- Gnomes
The Heritagefest Heinzelmannchen Family and Gertie Goose have been a featured attraction for many years. These German garden gnomes first appeared in Germany in 1420 and have been a part of the culture for centuries. These gnomes appear at many festivals and events held in New Ulm.
- German Park
A downtown, six-acre German City Park. This park will be consistent with the heritage theme of the city.
Other Key Attractions
New Ulm has several monuments that reflect its German heritage. It also has several unusual stories that reflect arts and crafts from Germany and a historic area representing shopping in the 1800s.Visitor and Financial Information
The community has both a Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitor's Bureau (CVB) to guide the tourism industry in the community. An estimated 554,000 people visit the community annually. The New Ulm CVB has a tourism marketing budget of $62,000 which is generated from a three percent lodging tax.
Partnerships
The community has no formal set of partnerships between the many organizations and groups that help maintain the German heritage theme. However, many of the residents of the community have strong family ties in the area and a sense of community. New Ulm is able to maintain the German theme due to this commitment to family and community.
Lessons to be Learned
New Ulm is an example of a community integrating its rich heritage into everyday living. New Ulm leadership has been consistent in its theme development for the community and has created a strong image and a viable heritage tourism industry.
Contact
New Ulm Convention and Visitors Bureau
1 North Minnesota Street
PO Box 862
New Ulm, Minnesota 56973-0384
