Saturday, 17 August 2013
Concordia University, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
The Center for Volga German Studies will host the first Norka Founders' Day as part of its year-long celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Catherine the Great's Manifesto inviting the Germans to Russia in 1763. Speakers will include: Steve Schreiber (Portland, Oregon), Reuben Miller (Stony Point, Alberta), Brent Mai (Beaverton, Oregon), Kurt Goldenstein (Eugene, Oregon), and Ruth Werner (Portland, Oregon).
The public is invited to attend. Registrations are due 28 July 2013. Additional information is available on the Norka Founders' Day page.
Wednesday-Friday, 24-26 April 2013
Best Western Icicle Inn - Highway 2, Leavenworth, Washington
The Center for Volga German Studies presented a 3-day Mini-Conference in Leavenworth, Washington, as part of its year-long celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Catherine the Great's Manifesto inviting the Germans to Russia in 1763. Speakers included: Brent Mai (Beaverton, Oregon), Dr. Richard Scheuerman (Spanaway, Washington), and Jean Roth (Seattle, Washington).
Tuesday, 16 April 2013, 1:00 p.m.
Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Steve Schreiber gave a presentation on the Volga Germans to participants in Willamette University's German Exchange Program. Volga German immigrants began arriving in Portland in 1881 and by 1920 occupied an entire ward in northeast Portland. Steve presented the documentary he created on this topic and led a discussion of the Volga German contribution to Oregon's history.
Sunday, 24 March 2013, 2:00 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church (Basement), 4330 NE 37th (at Skidmore), Portland, Oregon
Professor Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies, spoke at a meeting of the GRHS Chapter of Germans from Russia in Oregon & Washington (GROW) about Catherine the Great who invited her native German countrymen to immigrate to Russia in 1763. She issued her first invitation shortly after she took power in 1763, and by 1772 over 30,000 responded to the call! She was a remarkable world leader, especially considering that it was a male-dominated world at that time! Far from ordinary, Catherine lived life to its fullest. Prof. Mai examined both her public and her private rule of Russia in the 18th Century.
Saturday, 5 January 2013
Center for Volga German Studies, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
The Center for Volga German Studies presented a day of programs on the history, architecture, music, food customs, and genealogy of the Volga Germans in Argentina. Speakers included: Fabian Zubia Schultheis (Buenos Aires, Argentina); Germán Sack (Buenos Aires, Argentina); Susan Hopp Nakaji (Saratoga, California); and Brent Mai (Beaverton, Oregon).
Saturday, November 17, 2012, 3:00 p.m.
Building 8, Room 501, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Sponsored by the Russian Studies Institute at Waseda University, CVGS Director Brent Mai presented a lecture on the Volga Germans and their settlements in North America.
Sunday, October 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7307 N. Nevada St., Spokane, Washington
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the coronation of Catherine the Great, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spokane hosted a lecture by Prof. Brent Mai, CVGS Director. At the invitation of Catherine the Great, 30,000 Germans settled along Russia's Volga River during the 1760s. Prof. Mai discussed her role in the establishment of these colonies and the unique culture that developed there over the following 150 years. The descendants of these Volga German pioneers first arrived in North American in 1874, and many settled in Eastern Washington's Palouse Country beginning in 1882.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Center for Volga German Studies, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the coronation of Catherine the Great on 12 September 1762, the CVGS is holding a day-long series of workshops and presentations. At 9am, Brent Mai will present an introduction to the Volga Germans and Volga German research. At 10:30, Joanne Krieger will discuss what have come to be called "Plehve Charts." At noon (along with your lunch), Jean Roth will give a talk on Catherine the Great. At 2pm, Doris Evans will demonstrate how documents from the colony of Kolb have been used to "connect the dots" for researchers. The CVGS will be open from 8am - 6pm with expert researchers available to help with individual questions. There will also be extended hours on Thursday evening (6pm-9pm) for those who come to Portland the night before.
The public is invited to attend. Cost: $15.00 per person (includes lunch). Contact Linda Church (503.493.6370) by October 3 to make reservations by credit card.
Saturday, September 29, 2012, 2:00 p.m.
Concordia University - Chicago, River Forest, Illinois
At the invitation of Catherine the Great, over 30,000 Germans settled along Russia's Volga River during the 1760s. Prof. Brent Mai, CVGS Director, spoke about her role in the establishment of these colonies and the unique culture that developed there over the next 150 years. The descendants of these Volga German pioneers first arrived in North America in 1874, and many settled in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. By 1920, the Chicago area was home to America's largest urban concentration of Volga Germans.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Ramkota Hotel & Conference Center, Bismarck, North Dakota
Brent Mai, CVGS Director, made two presentations at the 2012 Annual Convention of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society. The first was an introduction to Volga German history. The second dealt with the history of the Volga Relief Society.
Thursday-Sunday, June 14-17, 2012
Concordia University, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
The 2012 Annual Convention of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was hosted on the Concordia University Campus by the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia and the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University. Additional information about the sessions that were held during the Convention can be found at the Convention Website.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, California
Faith was such an important part of life in 18th Century Europe that Catherine the Great's 1763 Manifesto which enticed the Germans to move to Russia specifically guaranteed the immigrants' right to unhindered freedom of religious worship in accordance with their church dogmas and practices. Furthermore, it granted them permission to build churches and campaniles (bell towers). Prof. Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies, will share dozens of photographs of the amazing craftsmanship that went into construction of these magnificent structures, inside and out, and discuss the religious architectural heritage of the Volga Germans. This presentation will be held in the sanctuary and is free of charge. Public is invited to attend.
Saturday, May 5, 2012, Noon
Faith Lutheran Church, 8208 18th Ave. NE, Seattle, Washington
Faith was such an important part of life in 18th Century Europe that Catherine the Great's 1763 Manifesto which enticed the Germans to move to Russia specifically guaranteed the immigrants' right to unhindered freedom of religious worship in accordance with their church dogmas and practices. Furthermore, it granted them permission to build churches and campaniles (bell towers). Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies, will share dozens of photographs of the amazing craftsmanship that went into construction of these magnificent structures, inside and out, and discuss the religious architectural heritage of the Volga Germans. Potluck at noon (bring dish to share and your own table service) with presentation at 1:15. Public is invited to attend.
Saturday, May 19, 2012, Noon
Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, California
Faith was such an important part of life in 18th Century Europe that Catherine the Great's 1763 Manifesto which enticed the Germans to move to Russia specifically guaranteed the immigrants' right to unhindered freedom of religious worship in accordance with their church dogmas and practices. Furthermore, it granted them permission to build churches and campaniles (bell towers). Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies, will share dozens of photographs of the amazing craftsmanship that went into construction of these magnificent structures, inside and out, and discuss the religious architectural heritage of the Volga Germans. Lunch at noon will be followed by the presentation at 1:30. Public is invited to attend; reservations required by May 11 - contact Velda Davis at 661.946.5575.
Saturday, April 21, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
Center for Volga German Studies, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
As part of the semi-annual gathering of the Council of Northwest Chapters of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, will present information regarding the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. A potluck will precede the presentation at 12 Noon. All are invited to attend!
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel, 8235 Northeast Airport Way, Portland, Oregon
CVGS Director, Brent Mai, will be the keynote speaker at the German-American Heritage Day Ball sponsored by the German American Society of Portland. The dinner will be followed by a dance with music by the S-Bahn Band of Vancouver, B.C. Cost: $40.00. For additional information contact the German American Society.
Saturday, October 22, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 7307 N. Nevada Street, Spokane, Washington
The Center for Volga German Studies is sponsoring a day-long program that includes two presentations, genealogical research assistance, and a traditional German lunch. Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will make two presentations: At 10:00 a.m. "Who Are the Volga Germans" and at 1:00 p.m. "Expressing Faith through Architecture: German Churches along the Russian Volga." In addition to Brent, Doris Evans of Almira, Washington, will be available to answer questions about your Volga German ancestry and research materials will be available. All are invited to attend! Cost: $8.00 (for lunch). Please RSVP to Linda Church at 503.493.6370 or lchurch@cu-portland.edu.
Saturday, October 29, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Center for Volga German Studies, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
Sunday, October 30, 2011, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 4265 SW Golf Course Rd., Cornelius, Oregon
On Saturday, October 29th, expert researchers will be available all day in the Center for Volga German Studies for genealogical research assistance. On Sunday, October 30th, at 10:30 a.m. you're invited to join Oregon's oldest Volga German congregation (founded in 1882) for worship followed by an afternoon of traditional German food and fellowship. Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will be the key-note speaker during the afternoon Oktoberfest Celebration and will talk about Oregon's oldest Volga German community in Blooming (just south of Cornelius). For additional information, contact Linda Church at 503.493.6370 or lchurch@cu-portland.edu.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
Architectural Heritage Center, 701 SE Grand Ave., Portland, Oregon
Steven Schreiber, CVGS volunteer and webmaster, will present a one-hour documentary chronicling the story of the German Russian immigrants who made northeast Portland their home in the new world. Cost for Heritage Center members is $10 and nonmembers is $15. Seating is limited and Preregistration is strongly suggested.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Genealogical Forum of Oregon, 2505 SE 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon
In celebration of the Forum's move to its new facilities, the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University is putting on a Volga German Day. From 9-10am, the 2003 documentary entitled "From the Russian Steppe to the Pacific Northwest" will be shown. It was produced by Portland's own Steve Schreiber. From 10-11am, Brent Mai, CVGS Director, will present information about this group of ethnic Germans who settled along the banks of the Volga River near Saratov, Russia, and ultimately immigrated to Oregon beginning in 1881. From 11-Noon, Brent will lead a discussion about the primary resources available to Volga German genealogical researchers. For the remainder of the day, trained researchers will be available to assist with individual research. Cost: free. All are invited to attend!
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 1:00 p.m.
Germanfest Building, 8229 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Chapter of AHSGR will present Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, speaking about the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. All are invited to attend! For additional information: 414.464.9444.
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1025 W. Lake Street, Melrose Park, Illinois
The Northern Illinois Chapter of AHSGR will present Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, speaking about the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. All are invited to attend! Contact Maggie for additional information at 773.261.2181 or may5902@earthlink.net.
Saturday, August 20, 2011, 11:00 a.m.
Zion Evangelical Free Church, 701 N. Daniel St., Weatherford, Oklahoma
As part of the Oklahoma statewide AHSGR gathering, Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, will present information regarding the architecture and history of the Protestant and Catholic parishes that existed among the Volga German colonies from 1764-1941. A potluck luncheon will follow. All are invited to attend!
Saturday, April 16, 2011, 12:30 p.m.
Concordia University Library, 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
Brent Mai, Director of the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University, will be the luncheon speaker at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. Cost: $15 per person. RSVP to Linda Church at 503.493.6370 by April 13. All are invited to attend!
Saturday, December 11, 2010, 2:00 p.m.
St. Michael Lutheran Church, 6700 NE 29th Ave., Portland, Oregon
The Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University and the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia are presenting a Traditional Christmas Program put together by Steve Schreiber and his daughter Lizzie. Concordia's Dr. Norm Metzler will be leading some of the music selections. All are invited to attend!
Saturday, November 6, 2010, 5:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, 39901 Pleasant St., Sandy, Oregon
As part of Immanuel's Oktoberfest 2010, CVGS Director Brent Mai will speak about the history of Portland's Volga German community and the role that Concordia's Center for Volga German Studies is playing in the study and preservation of Volga German history and culture. The event is sponsored by Immanuel Lutheran Church. The public is invited.
Saturday, October 23, 2010, 2:00 p.m.
Whisky Creek Wood Fire Grill, 3203 Vine St., Hays, Kansas
CVGS Director, Brent Mai, will speak about the establishment of the Center for Volga German Studies. The event is sponsored by the Kansas Round-Up of Chapters (AHSGR). The public is invited.
Saturday, October 16, 2010, 1:00 p.m.
Berea Lutheran Church, 7538 Emerson Ave., Richfield, Minnesota
CVGS Director, Brent Mai, will speak about the history of the Volga Relief Society and the establishment of the Center for Volga German Studies. The event is sponsored by the North Star Chapter (AHSGR & GRHS). The public is invited.
Thursday, August 12, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Concordia University Library (Room 310), 2800 NE Liberty St., Portland, Oregon
Isabel Kessler, president of the Association of Volga-German Descendants in Argentina (Asociación Argentina Descendientes de Alemanes del Volga), lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mrs. Kessler is accompanied on her visit to the Center for Volga German Studies by Clara Elsässer. A dessert reception will follow the presentation.