GVS Membership Benefits
The German Village Society is an outward-facing charity dedicated to historic preservation and education. That means the annual Haus und Garten Tour is one of our most mission-centric events – showing off what we’ve done as a community to restore and preserve the fabric of this neighborhood, and helping you understand how and why we’ve done it.
We are a place for singles to mingle and families to flourish. We know you love German Village as much as we do! A membership in the German Village Society means you’re helping us preserve the fabric of this neighborhood, which is what brings you down here in the first place!
What we love aboutGermanVillage is far greater than a list of specific benefits. But membership does have its privileges. Members receive:
- 20 percent off Meeting Haus room rentals for members, even for non-German Village Society events, and discounts on items for sale in our Visitors Center.
- Advanced notice when German Village Society event tickets go on sale and a significant member discount.
- Members at the $125 level and above receive two complimentary tickets to the annual Haus und Garten Tour.
- The biennial Membership Directory to keep our community connected.
- Volunteer opportunities that allow us to share our time and talents, while at the same time creating connections and relationships with others to enhance GermanVillage. Click here to see the full list of volunteer opportunities here. They include planning events, welcoming people and participating in leadership and governance of the Society. Or tell us what your special talent or hobby is that you can share with us!
- The ability to deduct membership and other donations from their taxes – we maintain the Society as a tax exempt entity so that giving is 100 percent tax deductible!
Why join? Watch this video.
For the Good of the Neighborhood the German Village Society:
Educates property owners, residents, and visitors about historic preservation and historic preservation techniques.
Educates our community and visitors about the importance of following the German Village Commission Guidelines that help protect and preserve the historic character of our Village, including providing site visit evaluations and photos as needed, for theGermanVillage Commission and code enforcement purposes.
Supports the German Village Commission in its work, collaborating on the Guidelines’ updates and showcasing exemplary renovations in partnership with the Commission through the annual Caretakers of a Legacy recognition program.
Solicits, maintains and makes available archives and historic files of individual German Village properties. We have a file for every property in our historic footprint!
Collaborates with city and state government leaders to value, protect and enhance our historic neighborhood (such as the Third Street Master Plan, 70/71 split issues, brick street repair, trash collection, code enforcement, safety, parking, sound abatement, etc.).
Partners with other historic communities and groups and contiguous neighborhoods to value, protect and enhance our beloved community.
Provides community-based volunteers to staff the Visitors Center with an award-winning video to educate visitors about German Village’s history and to answer questions and direct visitors to German Village businesses.
Coordinates educational, docent-led tours for children and adults from around the world.
Maintains the Meeting Haus for our neighbors and our community to have a central location for gathering, meeting and celebrating.
Offers an array of activities such as Haus und Garten Tour and PreTour, Village Lights, Art Crawl, Tea 43206, Monster Bash, Pet Parade, and much more.
Partners with other German Village organizations, such as the German Village Garten Club, Actors’ Theatre, Art Crawl, Friends of Frank Fetch Park, and Prost! to unify our neighborhood and provide opportunities for stitching together the fabric of our community.
Provides leadership to maintain and enhance Frank Fetch and Schiller Parks as beautiful, welcoming oases in our urban setting, in partnership with the Recreation and Parks Department and theGermanVillage Garten Club, Friends of Fetch and Schiller Parks, and Huntington Garden Deadheaders.
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We know that the attractions that bring you to our neighborhood are the same amenities that make our residents and businesses proud to welcome you:
- We are a preeminent historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974.
- In 2006, German Village was made a Preserve America Community by the White House.
- We are a 2011 designee as one of the country’s 10 Great Neighborhoods, recognized by the American Planning Association.
- We are one of the New York Times’ top real estate markets for pedestrian-friendly, urban neighborhoods.
- Columbus CEO readers ranked us a Top 5 Columbus icon in this, the city’s bicentennial year.
- Travel site Fodors.com lists German Village as a Top 3 “Fodor’s Choice” pick.
- We combine a unique mix of historic and hip, and you’ll know the moment you walk our brick streets.
- We serve as an art gallery and a theatre. Stop in the Meeting Haus during one of our art exhibits, or watch live Shakespeare when Actors’ Theatre performs at Schiller Park all summer long.
- We are a vibrant, downtown Columbus neighborhood that preserves the past while creating a contemporary 21st century lifestyle for people from all walks of life.
I’m ready to join! Take me back to the membership form
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