Summer evenings - Von Fern und Ferner in german

The series of events draws on the cosmopolitan origins of the Fromm family of collectors, but not exclusively so: beyond the family history, it also focuses on life in Merano at that time, from 1905 onwards. It was in that year that the family first chose Merano as a health resort; they were integrated into social life and played an active role in shaping it. This year, the focus is on the following themes: sacramental wine, music, architecture and literature.

A Propagandist in Paradise: John L. Stoddard
Between Literature and Politics
Patrick Rina


Around 1900, the travel guides by John Lawson Stoddard (1850–1931) could be found in numerous home libraries among the educated circles of New York and Boston. The American author was also held in high regard in Europe. From 1902 onwards, he stayed in Merano-Mais, praising it as ‘Tyrol’s sweet paradise’. After a brief interlude on Lake Como, he settled at Villa Friederike in Untermais. He maintained a friendly relationship with Franz Fromm, the owner of Villa Freischütz. Although a US citizen, Stoddard sided with the Central Powers during the First World War: through his propaganda writings, he symbolically took up arms against England, Russia and ‘his’ America.