History Day - World War II

German Bund in Southbury was sometimes called the Southbury Bund. This inaccurate, as the town blocked it.

In 1937, the German American Bund, an U.S. Nazi organization with already existing camps, tried to establish a large training camp in the Kettletown section of Southbury, CT. On October 1, Wolfgang Jung of Stamford purchased 1787 acres of land. Bund members worked on weekends to clear the land for a camp to be named "General von Steuben Camp", after the German general who helped during the Revolutionary War. 

Residents, "Kettletowners", worked to block what would be the largest Bund camp in New England. They distributed flyers, the local newspaper reported on it, ministers preached against it. At a November 23, 1937 special town meeting, the town created its first zoning commission as a step towards blocking the camp, and later that night passed a resolution condemning the Bund.

Sources from resources below.

Also look to the Southbury Historical Society and the United State Holocaust Memorial Museum.

In the past we found a tremendous amount of information on this topic in the Wilbur Cross papers.

• There is a folder in Gov. Wilbur Cross’s records for 1937-39 (archival Record Group #005:026) which pertains to: Nazi Camp, Southbury

Here are a few examples of citations to articles - many of which the library may have on microfilm.

Also search our newspaper databases.

Access to subscription database is available with a card from the Connecticut State Library in Hartford.

Search Tip: try searching; Southbury AND (Bund OR Nazi*)

Waterbury Republican/Sunday Republican

• Waterbury Republican. November 15, 1937
  • Newspaper broke the story, according to article of April 29, 2018, page 15A
  • Newspaper Room Microfilm ; AN104.W3 R47
• Waterbury Republican. November 14, 1937, front page of second section.
  • Article covering special town meeting, according to article of April 29, 2018, page 15A
  • Newspaper Room Microfilm ; AN104.W3 R47
• "Fighting Hate. Southbury's Stand Against Nazis Part of Holocaust Exhibit." by Michael Degirolamo Jr., The Sunday Republican  (Waterbury), April 29, 2018, page A1 -.
  • Newspaper Room Microfilm ; AN104.W3 R47
  • Article includes timeline of event, images, and a map.

Hartford Courant

Access to subscription database is available with a card from the Connecticut State Library in Hartford.

A list of some 1938 articles are in GIRS Vertical File - ask a librarian for help.

• "Conn. Camp of German Bund Begun: Pro-Nazi Organization has Bought Big Southbury Tract, Waterbury Newspaper Says Report Local Unit is being Planned Sponsors Deny Un-Americanism, Say Only Guards to Wear Uniform with Swastika." The Hartford Courant, Nov 15, 1937, page. 1
• King, Francis J. . 1937., Nov 24 "Bund's Camp in Southbury seen Doomed: Exclusion Indicated in Creation, Appointment of Zoning Commission at Special Session Nazi Later Scored at Mass Meeting Dickstein Tells House Unless Congress Acts 'Thousands in Conn. Will be Goose-Stepping' 'what's all the Shootin' about?' Southbury's Selectmen Pleased with Meeting Southbury Man Leads Attack on Pro-Nazi Group." The Hartford Courant, page 1 -
• Special. . 1937., Dec 02, pg. 2 "Nazi Activity Censured by State Legion: Executive Body Adopts Resolutions Condemning Proposed Bund Camp in Southbury." The Hartford Courant
• YD veterans defer bund camp action: State organization will await committee report on activities in southbury. (1937, Dec 13). The Hartford Courant. pg. 1
  "Catholic Paper Lauds Southbury Bund Camp Ban: Transcript Calls Nazis, Communists 'Enemies of God and Man'." The Hartford Courant (1923-), Dec 03, 1937. p.6
• "Rabbi Lauds Southbury's Nazi Stand: Feldman Sermon Urges Thanksgiving for Town's Americanism in Moving to Ban Bund." The Hartford Courant (1923-), Nov 25, 1937: 24.

New York Times

Remote access available with a card from us. GIRS Vertical File folder has a print out of titles of some articles, such as:

• "Nazi Propaganda Found.: Printed Letter Sent In Shipment To Connecticut Brewers." New York Times, May 08, 1935, p.10
• "Connecticut 'Nazis' Named By Dickstein: List Of 'Leaders And Agitators' Of 4 Cities And Also Of Staten Island Is Given To Congress." New York Times Jul 30, 1937, page 4
• "Connecticut 'Nazis' Named By Dickstein: List Of 'Leaders And Agitators' Of 4 Cities And Also Of Staten Island Is Given To Congress." New York Times Jul 30, 1937, page 4
• "Nazi Camp Aides Freed: Connecticut Court Dismisses Sunday Work Law Case." New York Times, Dec 28, 1937: 5
• "Kunze Held Here For Draft Evasion: Technicality Used As Means To Remove Bund Leader To Connecticut Today Bail Is Set At $50,000 Nazi Captured In Mexico Will Face Espionage Charge -- He Denies Guilt." New York Times (1923-), Jul 07, 1942: 21
• "Inquiry Is Started On German Camps: Cummings Orders G-Men To Check Up On Activities Under Federal Law Acts On Plea Of Citron Meanwhile Fritz Kuhn At Andover, N. J., Says He Welcomes Investigation Kuhn Welcomes Inquiry." New York Times, Aug 19, 1937: 40

Additional Articles from magazines or journals.

• "Storm Breaks Over New Nazi Camp. Selection of Site in Southbury Stirs Connecticut." Connecticut State Journal, Vo. IV, no. 12, December 1937 p.15, 46-47
  • Call number Stacks ; JK3301 .C66
  • Photocopy of article in GIRS Vertical File
  • Highlights plans of Bund and quotes their publicity; mentions support and opposition throughout Connecticut.

Here are a few examples.

Congress

United State Holocaust Memorial Museum

Here are a few examples. Lesson plans often include resources.

A few examples.

Please be advised that some of these resources--particularly those created in previous eras--contain descriptions for ancestral, racial, ethnic, and gender identity that may be offensive or harmful to individuals investigating these records, and are considered inappropriate to use in modern times. The descriptions and treatment of historically marginalized groups, women, and animals may be upsetting. Also, please note that inclusion in this subject guide does not necessarily constitute endorsement of the views therein--we encourage investigators to use their own judgment when evaluating books, websites, articles, documents, and other resources.