In 1970, the Germans from Russia Heritage Society (GRHS) was established in Bismarck to preserve the history of the Germans from Russia who started immigrating to the United States and Canada to escape a variety of difficult problems in their homeland in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many settled in North Dakota and, today, their descendants still reside in communities across the state.
“The GRHS functions as a non-profit, non-denominational, non-political organization, incorporated under the laws of the State of North Dakota,” says Rachel Schmidt, GRHS office manager. “Its aims are educational and social. Its purpose is to bring together people who are interested in discovering the common history unique to Germanic-Russian ethnics and to preserve the many elements of their rich heritage.”