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Gymnastics (Turner) have deep roots in Green County history
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Turner Hall in Monroe was originally built in 1868 to continue Swiss traditions such as music and gymnastics. The German word for “gymnast” is “Turner,” and the Turn and Schwing Club in Monroe was popular throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s. The original building burned in 1936 and was replace by the current structure that stands today.

MONROE — Green County is flush with Swiss Heritage and culture thanks to the immigrants that began settling the area in the mid-1800s. 

In the German language, “Turner” means “gymnast,” thus Turner Hall in Monroe was originally created as a space for gymnastics and for settlers to continue other Swiss traditions. The original Turnhalle was built by the Swiss immigrants in 1868, but it burned down on Labor Day in 1936, later being rebuilt in the same location.

Perhaps the most famous of the local “Turners” is Marie Margaret (Blumer) Hoesly Herbert. 

Marie’s father, Fred Blumer, was a Swiss immigrant who came to Monroe to be a cheesemaker. He was also a gymnast, and got his children into gymnastics in Monroe, joining the Turn and Schwing club at Turner Hall.

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Members of the Turn and Schwing Club trained and competed at Turner Hall in Monroe.

Later, Marie joined the Madison Turners, practicing about three times a week. For over 20 years she competed in the NAAU gymnastics around the country with the Madison Turners, winning 16 championships.

Living and working on a farm just south of Monroe with her first husband Mark Hoesly, Marie spent time training in a gymnasium they built in the barn. After failing to secure a spot in the 1948 Olympics — where she was still an alternate to the United States women’s team — she began to train even harder.

Four years later, at age 35, she became a competing member of the United State women’s gymnastics team for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. She was the first Green County resident to qualify for the Olympics. 

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Marie (Blumer) Hoesly Herbert of Monroe shows off her turn and schwing skills with her first husband, Mark Hoesly (1909-1960). Marie competed in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics in women’s gymnastics.

The 1952 Olympics were the first where women could collect individual medals. The United States finished 15th as a team, with Russia winning the overall title. Marie was sixth for the United States in the all-around. She again was an alternate on the 1956 Olympic team.

Ten years after her Olympic run, she was a part of a Jaycee-sponsored physical fitness program in Monroe, which was the endorsed by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. There were approximately 500 participants.

Marie’s first husband, Mark Hoesly (1909-1960), was a gymnast, professional wrestler and weight lifter. A year after Mark passed away, Marie married Marvin Herbert (1916-1986).