Decade by Decade
Luxembourg American History Through the Decades
The 2000s
2000
In 2000, in celebration of the Millennium, Archbishop Fernand Franck made a pastoral visit to the USA. While in America he visited numerous Luxembourg American communities in the Midwest and presided over a Mass at the National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation (Our Lady of Luxembourg) in Carey, Ohio. This photo depicts Archbishop Franck visiting Belgium, Wisconsin – Home of Luxembourgers.
June 2000
On U.S. Flag Day, June 14, 2000, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture presented a bronze bust of Bernard J. Cigrand to the village of Waubeka, Wisconsin – the birthplace of U.S. Flag Day. The bust was sculpted by Georges Calteux – Director of Sites and Monuments in Luxembourg who was a distant relative of Cigrand. Standing in this photo with the bust of Cigrand, from L-R: Robert Johanns, Marianne Johanns, Ambassador Robert Hormel (U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg), Carlo Krieger (Deputy Luxembourg Ambassador to the U.S.), Georges Calteux, Ambassador Arlette Conzemius (Luxembourg Ambassador to the U.S.), Honorary Consul General Donald J. Hansen of Chicago, Beatrice Krier (President of the Luxembourg Society of Wisconsin).
2001
In 2001, the Schobermesse in Chicago, Illinois was resurrected by the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America. There had been no Schobermesse in Chicago since 1967. The day-long celebration included music, food and refreshments, the Hammelsmarsch procession of sheep as in Luxembourg, children’s activities, etc. The Schobermesse continues to be celebrated by the Chicago Luxembourg Americans.
2002
Beginning in 2000, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture assisted the Port Washington Historical Society with recreating and replacing the Light Tower on Port Washington’s 1860 Light Station. The light tower was fabricated in Luxembourg and flown to Port Washington for placement on the Light Station. The country became involved with this project because the first light keeper in 1860 was the Luxembourg immigrant Bernard Schommer. Luxembourg also gifted the light tower in recognition of America’s liberation of Luxembourg during WWI and WW2. The Light Station tower was dedicated in June 2002 in the presence of Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture – Erna Hennicot-Schoepges.
2004
The Luxembourg American Cultural Society was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 2004. It’s mission was identified in the symbol of “roots and leaves”. Preserve the roots of Luxembourg heritage in the USA and nurture the leaves of continued relationships of family, friendship, culture/education, tourism and commerce between Luxembourg and the USA. Discussions began about rebuilding and restoring the 1872 Mamer-Hansen stone barn in rural Port Washington, Wisconsin. These discussions led to the formation of the LACS, which oversaw the transformation of the Mamer-Hansen barn into the Luxembourg American Cultural Center by 2009.
2004
In 2004, Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture signed an agreement to make an in-kind donation of 400,000 Euro to fund the fabrication of the interior exhibit panels, artwork and sculpture for a new Luxembourg American Cultural Center to be located in the 1872 Mamer-Hansen stone barn to be rebuilt in “New Luxembourg”, Belgium, Wisconsin. The Luxembourg American Cultural Society in partnership with Luxembourg’s Ministry of Culture and the Roots and Leaves Society began planning for the creation of the Cultural Center.
2005
In 2005, Mr. Rene Daubenfeld, mayor of Surre and Boulaide, Luxembourg, brought his first of many “Building Bridges Tour Groups” to the USA. The tour group traveled the Midwest and visited numerous Luxembourg American communities. The visiting Luxembourgers met many Luxembourg Americans and formed long-lasting, mutual friendships.
Fall 2005
Deconstruction of the 1872 Mamer-Hansen stone barn commenced in Fall 2005. All the cut stone from the barn was numbered and carefully placed on pallets. The remaining original field stone from the barn was gathered to be used again in rebuilding the barn.
August 2007
In August 2007, the Luxembourg American Cultural Society celebrated groundbreaking for the new Cultural Center. Representatives from numerous Luxembourg regions in the USA brought soil from their respective communities to be placed on the future site of the Cultural Center.
Fall 2007
In Fall 2007, excavation began in the New Luxembourg Development for the building of the new Cultural Center. Construction and fundraising continued the next two years. Many contractors who worked on the building were themselves 3rd and 4th generations cousins.
August 2008
In August 2008, the cornerstone of the new Cultural Center was blessed by Archbishop Franck of Luxembourg. At that same ceremony, a time capsule (as seen in the photo) was filled with items reflecting Luxembourg heritage and culture in the USA.
2009
In the Spring of 2009, blacksmiths from Luxembourg were flown to the Cultural Center to oversee the erection of the Luxembourg American Family Tree. This lovely sculpture is worth the visit. It contains over 300 family “leaves” in recognition of donors who made gifts of $2,500+ to the founding and building of the Cultural Center.
August 2009
The Luxembourg American Cultural Center was dedicated in August 2009 in the presence of His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg who bestowed His High Patronage on the Society and Center. The Center has three components:
-The J. B. Krier Wellkomm Center
-Roots and Leaves Museum, housed in the restored 1872 Mamer-Hansen stone barn.
-The Dooley Wagner Research Center
Above: Dedication of the Luxembourg American Cultural Center in Belgium, Wisconsin – L-R: HRH Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle passing through the Center.
