Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852), known in Germany as Der Turnvater, was the founder of the Turnverein, an international gymnastic and fraternal society. This memorial was a gift of the St. Louis Turnverein. The bust of Jahn is one of three bronze images on a stone base and granite steps.

Artist Robert Cauer modeled and cast the images in Darmstadt, Germany. Part of the inscription says: "Dedicated by the Nord Amerikanischen Turnerbund Oct. 1913/Rededicated August l5, 1972 American Turners Sound Mind Sound Body."

The German Pavilion was on this site during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition – the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair.