Purpose

The purpose of the German Society of Maryland is 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 1783 to protect and assist German-speaking immigrants. It received its charter from the Maryland legislature in 1817. 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.

The Society is a member of the national organizations, Deutschamerikanischer National Kongress (DANK) and the United German-American Committee of the USA, Inc. (UGAC-USA). The Society attempts to work in close cooperation with these and other local and national German ethnic organizations.

The Society publishes an excellent newsletter which informs members of upcoming events of the Society and events of other German American groups in Maryland and surrounding areas. The newsletter also includes news from Germany and articles on the role German-Americans in Maryland and U.S. history. The German Society of Maryland encourages its members to participate in the activities of other German-American organizations locally and nationally.