The New York Turn Verein was founded under the name Sozialistischen Turnverein of New York in June 1850. Established by German immigrants who came to the United States as political refugees, the NYTV served as a social, athletic, and political club based on the ideals of Friedrich Jahn's Turnverein movement.
In reaction to Napoleon's occupation of Germany in 1811, Friedrich Jahn founded Turnvereine (gymnastic unions), a political and athletic movement that trained men in gymnastics and instilled a sense of nationalism. The first followers of Jahn's movement to settle in America arrived in the 1820s, but they did not open any Turn Vereins. After the Turnverein movement suffered political defeat in Germany in 1848, many more of Jahn's followers (Turners) moved to America as political refugees, bringing "Turnerism" with them. German-American gymnastic societies (Turn Vereins or Turnerbunds) focused on gymnastic competition and social activities as well as developing American patriotism. Many immigrants felt strongly about showing their devotion to the United States and that they supported their adopted nation politically, regardless of the political views of their homeland.
The New York Turn Verein was founded in New York City under the name Sozialistischen Turnverein of New York in June 1850. The organization was granted its corporate charter by the New York State Legislature in March 1857. The first permanent home for the club was opened in 1859 but over the years the group would relocate and build new facilities as the German-American community expanded to different parts of the city. In 1898 the NYTV's newest facility, the Turn Hall, was dedicated. The Turn Hall had a restaurant, bowling alleys, classrooms, a gymnasium, and spaces for dancing, fencing, chess, and other activities. In addition to social and athletic activities, the NYTV also offered cultural enrichment, including a German School with a library, a singing group, and a monthly publication called "Bahn frei!" In the 1980s a new facility, today known as the American Tuner Club, was built in the Bronx. The Turn Hall was sold to developers and demolished in 1984.
Initially, the business of the NYTV was conducted in German and membership was only granted to those who had come from Germany or whose family had come from Germany. After World War II, membership expanded to those who did not have a German background and English became the predominant language. In 1983 the NYTV merged with the Mount Vernon Turners and changed its name to American Turners New York.
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