An integral resource on Luxembourg and Luxembourg-American history and culture, the Luxembourg American Cultural Society supports programs and initiatives to facilitate cultural and educational opportunities for the local community and beyond.
Virtual High School Exchange Between Luxembourg and the United States
Since 2020, members from the LACS board and community have worked with teachers in Luxembourg and the US on a successful virtual school exchange program. Teachers from Lënster Lycée International School in Junglinster, Luxembourg and Aquinas and Central Schools in La Crosse, Wisconsin encourage cross-cultural engagement and bring students together to work on thematic projects.
The role of LACS in these school exchange programs is to facilitate the educational experiences as part of our LACS mission.
School Exchange Program Mission Statement
Our mission is to cherish the Luxembourgish-American (alliance) friendship, strengthen their bond and reconnect families.
At the end of the 19th century, tens of thousands of Luxembourgers emigrated to the United States of America seeking to build a better future for themselves and their families. In the 20th century, the United States of America helped Luxembourg on two occasions to defend its freedom and sovereignty.
The resulting Luxembourg-American friendship is meant to be the foundation for families, students and citizens of both nations. They should be encouraged to find friends, along with the potential of reconnection with the descendants of their ancestors, maintain peace, promote new cooperative activities and support shared goals. Sister cities will begin to collaborate on ways to strengthen our partnership.
Interested in starting an exchange program at your school? Please refer to the document below and complete the survey of interest.
LACS in the Classroom
LACS staff or volunteers can bring Luxembourg-American history and culture to your classroom through a variety of programs.
- In-Class Discovery Boxes gives students the opportunity to explore Luxembourg-American settlers in Wisconsin through touchable artifacts and primary resource materials. Discovery Boxes may be facilitated by LACS staff or volunteers, or they may be rented for up to two weeks. For grades 3-5, learn more about our discovery boxes.
- Research Demonstrations use Luxembourg-American sources from the LACS collection to teach essential research skills, such as interpreting primary source material.
- Recordings of virtual programs may be available to students and teachers to learn about Luxembourg and Luxembourg American history and culture.
Interested in learning about all of our educational opportunities? Please contact Curator Serena Stuettgen for more information: (262) 285-5041 or sstuettgen@lacs.lu
Public Programming
Groups in the greater Ozaukee County region can request for LACS staff/volunteer to give a presentation at their facility. An honorarium of $25 is appreciated.
Current Presentation Topics:
- Women of Influence: Significant Women in Luxembourg American History
- Program Description: Women’s experiences and voices are hard to find in history books. However, this presentation delves into the stories of select women who have influenced Luxembourg American history. These women’s accomplishments range in the fields of medicine, historic preservation, national leadership, politics, and sports.
- Settled in Stone: Luxembourgish Stone Houses and Settler Farm Life
- Program Description: The practice of stone architecture began in Europe and was brought to the United States when families began to emigrate in the mid to late 1800s. Given that many Luxembourgish families immigrated to the Midwest region, and Wisconsin in particular, many of the historic homes and barns are Luxembourg stone houses. This presentation will uncover the mystery of Luxembourg stone house architecture, investigate a few local stone houses, and learn what life was like for these early settlers.
Interested in scheduling a program? Please contact Curator Serena Stuettgen for more information: (262) 285-5041 or sstuettgen@lacs.lu
Lëtz Go Kidz” is a new in-person and virtual education series dedicated to connecting our younger members and local students to Luxembourg American History. This program is for kids ages 7-10 years old, and it will run from May through August. Each month will have a theme and two opportunities for kids to explore. Scheduled dates and themes will be announced on the LACS website and social media.
Purpose and Goals:
- Strengthen the sense of community among members and young students.
- Connect students to their heritage, Luxembourg-American History, and local history.
- Provide opportunities for education through creative storytelling.
- Each program directly connects to Luxembourg/Luxembourg-American history and culture, or the relationship between Luxembourg and the United States.
- Use themes of Luxembourg American history to educate students about broader topics of local history, immigration, etc.
Members get exclusive access to the virtual version! Click below to access the Lëtz Go Kidz page.
Want to attend the in-person Lëtz Go Kidz programs? Click below to visit our Events page.