Roth views his talk with AAUW as a thank you, as the organization is responsible for preserving a major collection of Gág’s artwork after her death in 1946.

Roth said the invitation gives him a chance to thank the organization on behalf of the New Ulm community.

“The fact that I get to go up and thank them for what they’ve done for New Ulm, how can I be so lucky as to be the one who does that?” Roth said.

Gág died in New York City in June 1946 at age 53. A significant portion of her work faced an uncertain future at that time.

The Wanda Gág House at 226 North Washington Street in New Ulm serves as a historic site and museum dedicated to the artist and her family. (Photo by Amy Zents)

The AAUW St. Paul branch purchased the collection directly from Gág’s estate, which was managed by executors including Earle Humphreys, Carl Zigrosser, and her brother-in-law Robert Jansen.

Vinnie Mercedes Gjere Stewart (1899-1980), a New Ulm artist, musician, educator and longtime AAUW leader, helped lead the effort.

Stewart served as arts chairman and past president of the branch. She recognized the importance of Gág’s work and pushed for the purchase.

Under Stewart’s direction, the AAUW circulated the pieces in exhibitions across the country. The AAUW later donated the collection to the City of New Ulm. 

Darla Gebhard of the Brown County Historical Society said the society has cared for the AAUW collection for many years. The materials were originally housed at the New Ulm Public Library before being transferred to the historical society for better storage and preservation. In recent years, New Ulm transferred ownership of the collection to the society.

The New Ulm Public Library once housed the AAUW’s collection of Wanda Gág artwork before it was transferred to the Brown County Historical Society. A statue of Gág sits in front of the library. (Photo by Amy Zents)

Gebhard said the AAUW bought the collection directly from Gág’s estate.

“The AAUW reached out to the estate and then made the purchase,” she said.

The combined collections in New Ulm from the city, the Brown County Historical Society and the Wanda Gág House represent the largest group of Gág art in Minnesota.

Roth has said it could be the second-largest in the United States after the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Roth, a fifth-generation New Ulmer, curated exhibits at the Brown County Historical Society, including the current “Fertile Ground: Wanda Gág and the Turner Roots of Freedom,” which runs through December.

Vinnie Mercedes Gjere Stewart (1899–1980), a New Ulm artist and longtime AAUW leader who played a key role in preserving Wanda Gág’s artwork. (Courtesy of the Brown County Historical Society.)

The AAUW invitation followed Roth’s talk at Turner Hall. Dan Gisleson introduced Roth at that event and later mentioned him to AAUW members. Margo from the organization then contacted Roth.

Roth said his November talk will focus on the AAUW’s contribution and the importance of supporting the arts.

“Of course I will focus on the contribution of AAUW and how important it is to support the arts,” Roth said. “Probably also how we never know how good we do is going to come to fruition, perhaps 75 years later.”

Roth said he is grateful for the opportunity.

Roth thanked the Brown County Historical Society for highlighting the connection to the AAUW. He said renewed interest in Gág’s work has brought attention to New Ulm.

The Wanda Gág House at 226 North Washington Street serves as an interpretive center and museum. It displays lithographs, paintings and other materials related to Gág and her family.

The AAUW’s purchase ensured that Gág’s prints, drawings and book materials remained together. That collection supports education and tourism in New Ulm.

Roth said everything in this project connects.

“Well, as you know, everything feeds on each other,” Roth said. “Mostly this is a result of my talk at Turner Hall and my work with the Brown County Historical Society with the Fertile Ground exhibit.”

The talk will connect the 1940s preservation efforts by the AAUW with current stewardship in New Ulm.