---
title: "Key Aspects of a 100-Year History Anthroposophical Society"
date: 2025-03-10
source: "https://telegra.ph/Key-Aspects-of-a-100-Year-History-Anthroposophical-Society-03-10"
tags:
  - "telegraph"
---


## The Current State of the Anthroposophical Society Founded by Rudolf Steiner

Many believe that the present-day **General Anthroposophical Society** was founded by**Rudolf Steiner** at the**Christmas Conference of 1923** at the**Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland**. However, historically and statutorily, the current**AAG** does not trace back to this**1923-founded society** but rather to the so-called**"Bauverein" (Building Association)**, which was founded in**1913** with the purpose of constructing the first, and later, the second Goetheanum.

## 1923 – Establishment of the Anthroposophical Society

**December 28, 1923:** Adoption of statutes and foundation of the**Anthroposophical Society**.

In the first issue of the **news bulletin on January 13, 1924**, a report on the formation of the newly founded society was published for its members.

The **statutes** of the**1923-founded Anthroposophical Society** included key principles such as:

- The society as a union of individuals dedicated to spiritual life and knowledge.
- The core members were those gathered at the Goetheanum in December 1923.
- The society aimed to promote spiritual science and apply its results to social, moral, and artistic endeavors.
- The society was explicitly not a secret organization; membership was open to all.

## 1913 – Foundation of the General Anthroposophical Society

**September 22, 1913:** Founded as the**"Johannesbau-Verein"**.**November 1, 1918:** Renamed**"Association of the Goetheanum, the Free School of Spiritual Science"**.**February 8, 1925:** Renamed the**"General Anthroposophical Society"**.

## Historical and Statutory Relationship Between the Two Societies

A factual assessment reveals that the current **General Anthroposophical Society** was not founded by**Rudolf Steiner** at the Christmas Conference of 1923 but originates from the**"Bauverein"** founded in 1913.

## Realization of the Historical Discrepancy

Members first became aware of this distinction only in **1935**, twelve years after the Christmas Conference and ten years after Steiner’s death.

This realization came just weeks before a General Assembly where several members and national societies were expelled, and Ita Wegman and Elisabeth Vreede were removed from the board.

> "The registered statutes were drafted during Dr. Steiner’s illness. Dr. Steiner saw them and—according to what I was indirectly told—did not approve of them. This was in February 1925. In any case, they were never presented to or accepted by the members, as was done with the 'Principles' of 1923." – Elisabeth Vreede

## Conclusion

The **General Anthroposophical Society** that exists today is**not** a continuation of the Anthroposophical Society founded by Rudolf Steiner in 1923 but rather the renamed administrative body of a building association.

This fundamental discrepancy raises critical questions about the identity, mission, and governance of the present-day **Anthroposophical Society**.