Additions include an enclosed, 97-piece sequential diorama depicting the battle between Hermann and the Romans in Teutoburg Forest in 9 A.D.; Roman Legionnaire "Marcus Maximus" complete with armor and weapons, plus memorabilia from the Order of the Sons of Hermann who built the New Ulm monument more than a century ago, according to the local Newspaper The Journal.

New informative panels, photos, artifacts, showcases and a video tour tell the story of Hermann and the monument. "This is a fantastic addition to the monument that will be enjoyed by many," said New Ulm Mayor Bob Beussman told the newspaper’s reporter Fritz Busch.

Hermann Monument Society (HMS) President Denis Warta called Hermann "a German freedom fighter who defeated a Roman Legion superpower and a symbol for all people of German descent," the Journal said.

George Glotzbach, HMS Development Director, said the Hermann Interpretive Center has been aided by public and private donations.

The monument is owned and operated by the City of New Ulm, under the direction of the Park and In the 1840s German-speaking peoples from Central Europe were immigrating in droves to the United States.

But in many places anti-immigration resentment resulted in street riots. In response, the new immigrants sought a symbol to unite them. They chose Hermann, a legendary German folk-hero, and formed the Order of the Sons of Hermann as a rallying point throughout the United States.

The New Ulm chapter was led by Julius Berndt, the national secretary of the Sons of Hermann organization. Because of Berndt's vision, leadership, energy, determination, and direction the Hermann Monument was erected in New Ulm in 1897 on the prairie land of Minnesota. It was patterned after the massive Hermann Monument in Detmold, Germany.

When the local chapter of the Sons of Hermann disbanded after World War I, the City of New Ulm took over the care and ownership of the monument. In 1973, the Hermann Monument was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

And in 2000, the monument received national and international recognition: The 106th Congress of the United States designated the Hermann Monument to be an official symbol for the contributions of Americans of German heritage.

Compared with statues of similar size and material composition, the Hermann Monument is second only to the Statue of Liberty. Lady Liberty in the harbor with torch upraised welcomes the huddled masses of immigrants to the land of liberty.

"Hermann on the Prairie" with sword uplifted reveals a simple truth of democracy: Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

The Hermann Monument and Hermann Heights Park in New Ulm are recognized by the Congress to be a national symbol for the contributions of Americans of German heritage.