The PVCW’s Purpose

Our Verein celebrates not only our German heritage, but more specifically that of Pomerania/Pommern in northeast Germany, home to Germans for over 800 years.  

Pomeranians emigrated in large numbers at the same time Wisconsin was being settled.  Hard times and religious dissent in Germany and Wisconsin’s economic promise lured Germans here. If your ancestors attended a German Lutheran or German Reformed church, you may be Pomeranian.

Pomeranians face special challenges in finding their roots. Pomerania/Pommern was overrun by the Soviet Army at the end of World War II, its German population forcibly expelled, and many records were destroyed. Re-establishing those historical and cultural connections is an important work of the Verein.

We believe that knowledge of what happened in the past will help make today’s world a better place.

Our Mission

To preserve the language and heritage of immigrants from Pomerania, Prussia, Posen and Mecklenburg; to record history of settlers; to be a resource for genealogy research; to provide fellowship, friendship, and Gemütlichkeit (happiness and wellbeing) for members and the community.

Contact Information

Email: datpommblatt@gmail.com

Address: Pommerscher Verein Central Wisconsin
c/o Berlin Center
11248 Berlin Lane
Athens, WI 54411

The PVCW’s Interests

Genealogy, Heritage & Tours

• Members have traveled in seven European Roots Tours from 1996 to 2024.
• The Verein’s library has church records, maps, and published genealogies.
• Our museum features pioneer artifacts, a working loom, and the Pomeranian settler Wall of Honor.

Language

• The Verein’s participation in the Plattdüütsch Project, an international effort to rescue the Platt (Low German) language from extinction, has involved:
• Recording & archiving Platt as spoken by Verein members
• Relationships with UW-Madison’s Max Kade Institute and with universities in Germany
• Monthly Platt Tied gatherings
• Platt im Sak, Platt Word Bee, folksong singing at membership meetings
• Exhibits at local cultural festivals
• Library’s book & recording collection in Platt
• Fasching dances in the European tradition
• Platt classes at local colleges
• Pommern Life, a local Platt radio program

Culture

• We promote Pomeranian culture by: 
• Tours of important local sites
• Old Fashioned Card Party and monthly Schafkopf (Sheepshead) gatherings
• Outreach to schools and the community
• Supporting the use of an East Pomeranian traditional dress, or Tracht. The Jamunder Tracht from Jamund, Pomerania is worn by members of the Pommerscher Danz Gruppe (dance group).