Tens of thousands of Burgenlanders immigrated to cities like Chicago (seen here in 1940) in search of a better life.
Photo: John Vachon/ Library of Congress
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the establishment the Austrian state of Burgenland, its state museum will curate an exhibition entitled “Unsere Amerikaner” (Our Americans). The museum is looking for artifacts and their corresponding life stories of those Burgenlanders who emigrated to the United States (and in particular to the Midwest and Chicago) - the largest migratory movement in the state’s history.
Many American Burgenlanders and their descendants have kept ties to their old home alive even today. Their support for the Burgenland during difficult times, specifically in the first half of the 20th century, has not been forgotten. Therefore, these emigrants will have a prominent place in the Burgenland’s centennial celebration and the corresponding exhibit, which is under the auspices of Governor Peter Doskozil.
The curators are calling on all Burgenland’s American emigrants and their descendants, both at home an abroad, to share relevant objects and their corresponding life stories for a possible inclusion in the exhibit. Those with something to share should first send a photo of the object(s) with a a brief history to the Burgenland State Museum via post.a7-landesmuseum@bgld.gv.at.
Submissions are possible until November 30, 2020; the exhibit will open on February 25, 2021.
More information on the Burgenlanders’ immigration to the United States is available here.