Descriptive inventory for the George J. Iberle visual materials, ca. 1878-1976, bulk 1941-1948

Provenance statement:

Gifts of the estate of George J. Iberle, 1986 (accession #: 1986.0043); Walter and Teresa Krutz, the niece of Mr. Iberle (accession#: 1991.0040); and George A. Iberle, the son of Mr. Iberle (accession#: 1991.0484.1-.2).

Terms governing use:

Credit photographer or photography studio where identified. Other copyrights may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Restriction(s):

Collection is open for access.

Please cite this collection as:

George J. Iberle collection of visual materials (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and series/box/folder/call number of a specific item.

Related material:

Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center include the George J. Iberle papers (1991.0040), the Schwaben Verein (Chicago, Ill.) records (MSS Alpha S), the Henry Delorval Green photograph collection (1981.0065), and the Minna Schmidt image files (Image file People S).

Separated material:

Pins, hats, banners, and similar objects from accessions 1986.43 and 1991.40 are in the artifacts collection of the Chicago History Museum.

Black-and-white photographic prints and color posters from George J. Iberle’s time as a community leader in both Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood and the German American society, Schwaben Verein. The bulk of photographs were taken during World War II to document the homefront mobilization activities of Division 6 (the West Lakeview neighborhood) of the Chicago Commission on Civilian Defense (also referred to as the Office of Civilian Defense, or OCD). Photographs and posters from Schwaben Verein’s annual celebrations, as well as individual and group portraits of members, comprise the remainder of the collection.

Geroge J. Iberle was born in Germany and worked in the Lakeview Neighborhood as a tailor, served as secretary and later as honorary secretary of Schwaben Verein, and as co-commander of the West Lakeview Community, Division 6, of the Chicago Commission on Civilian Defense. In his role as co-commander, Iberle was responsible for organizing block captains, mobilizing community participation in the war effort through donations, and planning for civilian protection. Schwaben Verein is a Chicago social club organized in 1878 by people from the Württemberg area of southwest Germany.