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While Luxembourg is now known as a country of immigration, with nearly 47.4% of its population holding foreign nationality, there was a time when the roles were reversed: the Grand Duchy was a land of emigration. From the mid-19th century until the First World War, many Luxembourgers left their homeland in search of a better future, often heading for the United States.
The departure gate: America House
Before the rise of the steel industry, Luxembourg was a largely rural nation, with 80% of the working population employed in agriculture. Poverty was widespread, resources were scarce, and famines were common. It is in this challenging context that many Luxembourgers decided to leave their native land in search of a better life.
Their journey to the "New World" often began at 34 rue Notre-Dame in Luxembourg-Ville. This was the location of the America House, a striking building once topped with a majestic eagle perched on a three-metre-high column that has been removed. The house was home to the Derulle-Wigreux emigration agency, which worked closely with the maritime company Red Star Line, specialising in transatlantic crossings.
Emigrants would register here before boarding a ship to the United States. Journeys under sail could take two to three months, while steamships shortened the voyage to just two or three weeks.
“America House”, 34 rue Notre-Dame
The first wave of Luxembourg emigration to the United States occurred between 1830 and 1845. Immigrants typically arrived via Louisiana, New York, or Maryland, before settling in places like Ohio and western New York State.
Debated numbers
To this day, the exact number of Luxembourgers who left for the United States remains a topic of debate. While some estimate that over 70,000 made the journey, others point out that many Luxembourgers also emigrated to France (particularly Lorraine, Champagne, and the Paris suburbs) or to other neighbouring countries and that these figures are often lumped together in general migration statistics without clear distinction.
According to the Registre National des Personnes Physiques (RNPP), there were 13,474 Luxembourgers living in the United States as of 31 March 2023.
A living heritage
Nonetheless, Luxembourg’s legacy is still alive in the United States today. Institutions such as the Luxembourg American Cultural Society & Center, based in the town of Belgium (yes, that’s really its name), stand as proof of this deep-rooted connection. Organisations like the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, founded in Chicago in 1887 still host events, often accompanied by a refreshing Bofferding beer! 😉
Luxembourg American Cultural Center (©Travel Wisconsin)
Several notable Luxembourgers also made their mark in the United States, including:
- Edward Steichen, visionary photographer and director of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York;
- Hugo Gernsback, inventor of the term "science fiction" and a pioneer of the genre;
- Nicholas Muller, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the state of New York;
- Nicolas Gonner, who emigrated in 1866 and founded the Luxemburger Gazette in Dubuque, Iowa, one of the community's most iconic newspapers.
The story of Luxembourg’s emigration to the United States is a little-known yet crucial chapter in the nation’s history. From the America House in the heart of Luxembourg to the vast plains of the American Midwest, this journey remains deeply rooted in the memories and family histories of many Luxembourgers today.
