German Culture
Although many ethnic groups have found a home in Dedham, German immigrants had a major impact on the history and culture of Dedham. Germans were some of the first in the world to realize the importance of creating affordable housing for working class citizens and did so by creating building associations which potential buyers would get mortgages from. In 1870, twenty seven Germans living in Boston, formed an building association and bought a plot of land in East Dedham known as the “Tim Whiting Place”. This establishment of a strong German community led more Germans to immigrate to Dedham as the years went on. Immigrants often brought with them many of the traditional instruments of Germany, like the accordion, clarinet, and harmonica, and these in turn became popular in Dedham.
One of the more important German musicians from Dedham was a songwriter named John Friedheim. Known best for his song “A trip to Dedham or The Striped Pig Quickstep”. The song was in response to a Massachusetts law which barred the purchase of alcohol in quantities under fifteen gallons. The “striped pig” refers to a entrepreneur in Dedham who would offer a free drink with the purchase of a ticket to see his striped pig, as a way of circumventing the law (Cockrell 198).
Big Bands are one of the greatest impacts that German immigrants made on Dedham’s growing music scene. Many clubs and organizations were started in Dedham that would then perform concerts in Temperance Hall, one of the most important venues in Dedham’s history. Some of the more well known bands were the Dedham Brass Band and the Picnic Band which gave many concerts over the years. Many organizations were formed not only to perform music but also to serve as something for poorer children to be involved in. Besides Big Bands singing clubs were very popular. One of the first to start was the German Singing Society of Dedham, founded by Fred Kiessling, a German Native. These singing clubs became extremely popular much like the big bands.
One of the more important German musicians from Dedham was a songwriter named John Friedheim. Known best for his song “A trip to Dedham or The Striped Pig Quickstep”. The song was in response to a Massachusetts law which barred the purchase of alcohol in quantities under fifteen gallons. The “striped pig” refers to a entrepreneur in Dedham who would offer a free drink with the purchase of a ticket to see his striped pig, as a way of circumventing the law (Cockrell 198).
Big Bands are one of the greatest impacts that German immigrants made on Dedham’s growing music scene. Many clubs and organizations were started in Dedham that would then perform concerts in Temperance Hall, one of the most important venues in Dedham’s history. Some of the more well known bands were the Dedham Brass Band and the Picnic Band which gave many concerts over the years. Many organizations were formed not only to perform music but also to serve as something for poorer children to be involved in. Besides Big Bands singing clubs were very popular. One of the first to start was the German Singing Society of Dedham, founded by Fred Kiessling, a German Native. These singing clubs became extremely popular much like the big bands.