Brooklyn Schützen Corps

founded 1922

The Brooklyn Schützen Corps (BSC) welcomes visitors to the German/American shooting club located at the Plattdütsche Park in Franklin Square, NY. The organization is a member club of the Plattdütsche Volksfest Verein and holds monthly General Meetings and monthly practice shoots.

It is the goal of the club to shoot competitively within the club as well as with other clubs in the New York area and the sister clubs in Germany. The organization strives to promote their heritage and to enjoy the fellowship for which the BSC has become known.

Besides Brooklyn Schützen Corps’ longstanding interests in the shooting sports, they are a very active social club which works toward the Good and Welfare of their German Heritage and Community by participating in many activities and events at the Plattdütsche Park and in the area.

A Brief History of the Club

On April 28, 1922, 47 friends met at P. Rudy Schumacher’s Empire Hall at 2 Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn, NY and the new Brooklyn Schützen Corps was founded. It was an immediate success and new members joined at every meeting. The first “Schützenfest” was held in September 1922 and has been an annual tradition ever since.

The “Schützenfest” is the highlight event of every calendar year. Members compete for many different prizes, trophies, plaques, and medals by showcasing their individual shooting skills. Over the years many lasting friendships have been formed at the “Schützenfest” with the schützenbrothers here in America as well as those who may be visiting from Germany. Several of the club’s members visit “Schützenfests” and other Schützen groups in Germany, where the members are always well-received.

The club also hosts several German Schützen Clubs annually who come here to take part in the German-American Steuben Parade, held every September, in midtown Manhattan. It is the hard work and participation of the club’s members that make these events a memorable success for all attendees.

Objective

The club’s membership consists of people that have a strong sense of commitment who are willing to be active and give the club 110%. For any organization to flourish and remain strong, it requires the effort and input of its membership through their continued support, participation, and initiative. The reward, as members of the Brooklyn Schützen Corps, is an appreciation of their German Heritage, it’s traditions, fun, fellowship and “Gut Schuß!”

In all of the club’s undertakings, they always have the full support of the Brooklyn Schützen Damen (Ladies Society), which is also a most successful club at the Plattdütsche Park. Although they have their own officers and have their own agenda, their objectives mirror those of the BSC.

Brooklyn Schützen Damen

Founded 1932

In 1932 on one cold December night, a handful of ladies were waiting for their husbands in a Plattduetsche German Restaurant, where the men of “The Brooklyn Schützen Corps” held their monthly meetings.

While the ladies were waiting, one made a comment, “What denks ji dorvon, wenn wir unsern eegenen Vereen gruendn? dat hebt veele Doerper in Duetschland ja ok!” (What do you think about founding our own club? There are many towns in Germany where the women have done this). All the ladies were very excited about the idea. In short order, with help of the Schützen men, a new Club called “The Brooklyn Schützen Damen” was formed.

The first President Frieda Wendland and perspective officers were voted in by the new membership. Frieda faithfully held her reign way into the war years. German clubs were not very active during those years. However a few years later, it took a little courage of six ladies to start holding meetings again. The Club continued to grow. It will always be their goal to further the old German Club traditions here in the USA.

In time the Damen decided to have uniforms made in the same traditional Schützen colors that the men used. They decided on grey Vests with green trim and green skirts. (Today the skirts have been changed to black). The 50th Anniversary of the Brooklyn Schützen Damen was well celebrated with huge membership and guest attendance.

The Lady’s Club has a strong membership and the Club continues to thrive. Even today, the Brooklyn Schützen Damen and the Brooklyn Schützen Men have many beautiful parties together. The main event is the September Schuetzenfest with competition shooting and the German traditional shooting for King and Queen. Highest score wins. The annual Christmas Party hosted by the Damen is also one of the highlights. The women also participate in the men’s traditional Jägerball that takes place in Mid Winter.