Building bridges – Christian Friedrich Theodor Steinweg (1825–1889) | Between the Continents

The lively correspondence that Theodor (1825–1889) maintained with his family in New York, as well as the manifold visits from both sides nurtured an ongoing exchange between the continents – and, despite the distance, for a close interlocking of the companies Steinway & Sons, New York, and C. F. Theodor Steinweg, Braunschweig (Brunswick). When within weeks both Charles (1829–1865) and Henry jr. (1831–1865) passed away, they left a big gap in the prospering New York company. William (1835–1896) urged his brother to relocate to the US to lend him a hand. Theodor initially declined, but finally accepted the family obligation, selling his shares of the Braunschweig company. On October 26th, 1865, he and his wife Johanna (*1834) arrived in New York with private assets amounting to 10,000 thalers. By January 1866, Theodor was officially made partner of Steinway & Sons and took over the position of technical manager, a role that Henry jr. had held before his passing.

Theodor and Johanna returned to Braunschweig frequently and for long periods. The founding of the Steinway Hall in London in the 1870ies, as well as the Steinway manufactory in Hamburg, offered Theodor a welcome opportunity to engage more strongly in Europe – until moving back for good to his ‘adopted’ Braunschweig home, which he loved so much. He acquired a house at Lessingplatz, hired two servants and a cook and cultivated the art collection he had amassed on his many travels between the continents. Theodor died in march 1889. He bequeathed his collection of historical musical instruments to the Städtisches Museum Braunschweig. A large part of it is on display in the museum's permanent exhibition.