Fifty Photographs: selections from SCUA collections

A Turnverein for the colonies

by Walter Woodbury, ca.1865

The Turnverein in Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies, was more than just a social center for the European community. Originating in Germany as gymnastic clubs, Turnvereins also served to build military preparedness and as hubs for propagating the nationalistic ideals and political power needed to maintain the imperial project.