VON STEUBEN COMMUNITY CENTER | Program & Reservation

The Von Steuben Community Center (VSCC) at Bismarck Kaserne in Ansbach is the central meeting point for the USAG Ansbach community for official events and private celebrations. As an offering from Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR), the location combines modern infrastructure with a family-friendly atmosphere: a large, flexibly usable ballroom for training, receptions, and celebrations, several inviting lounges – including the fireplace lounge – as well as a seasonal outdoor area with a cozy beer garden. Additionally, there is free Wi-Fi, CAC-enabled computers with printing capabilities, and a basement area with gaming and entertainment options. Access to the premises is subject to the security and visitor regulations of the garrison; the on-site team assists interested parties with reservations and the implementation of suitable setups. Thus, the VSCC combines secure professionalism with the open, community-oriented culture of a vibrant garrison – ideal for training, team events, and gatherings in the heart of Middle Franconia.

Access and Directions to Bismarck Kaserne: Visitor Pass, Gates, Parking

Visitors to the Von Steuben Community Center head to Bismarck Kaserne, one of the facilities of U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach. The garrison is located in close proximity to Katterbach Kaserne; both are separated by the federal highway B14. Coming from Ansbach city or via the regional transport network, visitors should orient themselves by the marked access points and gates. For individuals without a USAG ID, the visitor procedure of the garrison applies: prior registration with a security check is required before the visit; afterwards, access is granted through the respective open gates according to the current gate regulations. The garrison provides consolidated information including details on gate times and necessary documents. Practically, this means: those planning or attending an event at the VSCC should clarify access requirements in advance to ensure a smooth check-in at the gate. For community members with a valid ID, access is as usual via the regular entrances, while guests receive their visitor pass after approval. Parking is available within the garrison in designated areas; the exact search for parking spaces is guided by on-site signage and security instructions. Important for first-time visitors: postal orientation within the garrison is based on building numbers instead of city addresses – the Von Steuben Community Center is located in Building 5845. This helps avoid confusion with civilian city addresses that may have similar names but do not belong to the military area. Therefore, those arriving with navigation assistance should ideally enter Bismarck Kaserne and the building number. Since the VSCC is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, it is advisable to coordinate in advance for appointments outside these hours. In addition to regular workdays, the center is usually open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on training holidays but remains closed on U.S. holidays. Seasonal or special operational adjustments – such as around the holidays – are communicated by MWR; a quick check before the visit ensures planning security.

Events and Program at Von Steuben: Beer Garden, Pub Nights, and Official Receptions

The program at the Von Steuben Community Center is as diverse as the community itself. In the warmer months, the beer garden on the side terrace attracts many guests on Thursdays from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Typical offerings include cold drinks, casual encounters after work, and – if the weather permits – lawn games that round off the evening in a sociable setting. Outside the outdoor season, the basement area comes into focus: with bar operations on selected dates, pub nights every two weeks (program-based), and a mix of billiards, table tennis, foosball, as well as gaming and TV stations, the area provides a relaxed setting for after-work meetings or small community events. Throughout the year, MWR also uses the venue for a wide range of formats – from trivia nights and comedy shows (including Armed Forces Entertainment) to dueling pianos, school balls, ACS informational offerings, and performances by the Terrace Playhouse. This variety shows: the VSCC is not just a venue but curates encounters that strengthen the garrison as a living space. In addition to regular community highlights, representative occasions also take place here. For instance, in February 2025, the Garrison Commander’s Reception was held at Von Steuben – a reception where around a hundred guests from the region and the U.S. Army came together to honor 250 years of the U.S. Army and 80 years of German-American partnership. Such events underscore the role of the venue as a bridge between service, community, and hospitality. Program information is continuously updated; since individual series are seasonally bound (such as the beer garden), it is worth checking the MWR calendar. Those wishing to celebrate privately – for instance, a promotion, a milestone birthday, or a baby shower – also find flexible options. The team assists with questions regarding room selection, the process, and coordination with other offerings in the house to ensure the desired date is successful.

Rooms, Equipment, and Reservation: Ballroom, Lounges, Technology, and Clear Rules

The spatial core of the Von Steuben Community Center is the large ballroom, which can be configured in various ways. Depending on the occasion, it can be set up in banquet style, theater seating, or training layouts; even physically distanced setups are possible and have already been tested. The hall is complemented by several characterful areas: the Grand Piano Lounge for reception moments and musical accents, the Coffee & Computer Lounge with workstations, CAC-enabled computers with printing options, and the cozy Fireplace Lounge, which is particularly popular in the cold season. Outside, the side terrace invites guests to the seasonal operation of the beer garden. In the basement, a standalone experience world awaits: foosball, table tennis, billiards, eight TV sets, gaming stations, a movie and game room, as well as a space with a dance floor and DJ options, which in combination with pub nights or private celebrations provide an entertaining backdrop. For everyday work and events, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the house. Those looking for reading material will find a selection of free books that can even be taken home – a small service with great charm. MWR accompanies the events with programs that connect training, culture, and leisure; organizationally, the Private Organization Coordinator on-site is the right contact for establishing or supporting a Private Organization (PO) within the community. Regarding reservations: official events – such as trainings, meetings, or change-of-command ceremonies – as well as unofficial occasions – from birthday parties to holiday parties – can generally take place at the VSCC. The important point is the lead time: requests must be made at least four weeks before the desired date to ensure that planning, coordination, and any technical requirements can be properly set up. A clear point in the house rules is also that bringing alcohol from outside is not permitted. Those with special requests – for example, a specific setup in the ballroom, DJ options in the basement, or a thematic design – should best discuss this with the team during the inquiry. The staff knows the possibilities of the rooms very well and suggests combinations that suit the occasion, from a brief briefing to an evening event.

Opening Hours, Services, and Community Offers at a Glance

The Von Steuben Community Center is primarily a weekday hub: open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, on training holidays also from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on U.S. holidays. With these hours, meetings, workshops, and organizational appointments can be well coordinated. Program and event times – such as the beer garden operation or pub nights – vary depending on the season and planning and are announced separately. In addition to the rooms themselves, the VSCC offers a range of useful services for everyday life. These include free high-speed Wi-Fi, CAC computers with printing functions, the opportunity to check emails over a fresh cup of coffee, and places to simply arrive and breathe – not least the fireplace lounge. Those seeking creative distraction will find it in the basement, where gaming and entertainment options create a casual environment to meet colleagues or enjoy family time. The center is embedded in the MWR structure, which coordinates a variety of leisure, cultural, and support programs under the umbrella of USAG Ansbach. This also explains the programmatic breadth of the house: in addition to classic community events, partners such as Armed Forces Entertainment come together for comedy formats or musical experiences like dueling pianos; ACS uses the rooms for informational and support offerings, schools for balls or program points, and the Terrace Playhouse brings theatrical atmosphere into the house. For weeks with holidays or larger site events, MWR communicates special opening hours. Therefore, it is advisable to check current announcements before planned visits. The team can be reached at +49 (0)611-143-587-2109 (DSN 587-2109); inquiries can thus be targeted – from a quick appointment query to complete reservation coordination.

Historical Context and Location in the USAG Cluster: Bismarck and Katterbach

Those using the Von Steuben Community Center are in an environment with a long military tradition and an active, international community. USAG Ansbach includes several garrison locations in and around the city; Bismarck Kaserne has been the garrison's main headquarters since 2022. Directly opposite – only separated by the B14 – lies Katterbach Kaserne with the Army Airfield, home of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade. This spatial proximity leads to short distances between administrative, logistical, and leisure offerings. Bismarck Kaserne itself consolidates central services: Garrison Headquarters, U.S. Customs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Army Family Housing, guest and single accommodations, a post theater, and a car care center – and right in the middle is the Von Steuben Community Center as a social and cultural hub. The history of the facilities dates back to the 1930s; from later use, a dense network of units, support offices, and offerings for families and civilian employees developed. Events such as the Garrison Commander’s Reception held at Von Steuben in 2025 refer to the decades-long partnership between the U.S. Army and the region of Middle Franconia. They show how the venue has become a place of exchange beyond the function of a mere event space – from high-profile receptions to low-threshold community formats. At the same time, the site context explains why access is such a prominent issue: as a military area, the garrison is secured; visitor processes, gate times, and security checks are integral parts of the procedure. Keeping all of this in mind early on allows one to more easily utilize the strengths of the venue – flexible spaces, reliable infrastructure, and dedicated support – for their own events.

Seating Plan, Seating Arrangements, and Space Selection: Flexible Setups Instead of Fixed Plans

At the Von Steuben Community Center, there is deliberately no rigid hall plan, as the strength of the location lies in its adaptability. For seminars, workshops, or town halls, theater or training seating is recommended; for formal receptions, balls, or family celebrations, banquet layouts provide the appropriate framework. The official photo examples of the house showcase this diversity – from densely arranged banquets to physically distanced training rows to combined scenarios with stage areas and technology. To optimally utilize the possibilities, the needs analysis at the beginning is crucial: How many people are you planning for? Is a stage or speaker position needed? Should breakout areas be close to the main hall – for example, in the Grand Piano Lounge or the Coffee & Computer Lounge? Should a transition to the basement area with a dance floor, DJ options, and gaming zone be possible, or to the fireplace lounge for quieter conversation islands? The answers to these questions determine the room design. In practice, hybrid concepts often emerge: a reception in the lounge, a program part in the ballroom, and later a wind-down in the basement. Thanks to Wi-Fi and CAC computers, presentations and handouts can be comfortably prepared; the free books add a charming touch and provide conversation material. For events in the warm season, the side terrace with a beer garden character is ideal, whether as a casual start or as a break area outdoors. It is important to incorporate the house rules into the planning – especially the prohibition of bringing alcohol from outside – and to submit reservations with at least four weeks' notice. The team advises on the selection of seating variants, takes care of the necessary coordination with other program points in the house, and knows from experience which setups have proven effective for comedy shows, dueling pianos, school balls, or ACS formats. If you prefer specific seating rows, just mention it: even without a fixed plan, your favorite spot can be arranged – from the front block near the stage to the island for quiet conversations. This creates a layout that not only functions well but also carries the atmosphere of the occasion.

Sources:

• Von Steuben Community Center – US Army MWR (Program, Equipment, Reservation)
• Directory – Von Steuben Community Center, Address, Opening Hours – US Army MWR
• USAG Ansbach – Visitor Information (Access, Gates, Notes)
• Army.mil – USAG Ansbach Commander’s Reception (February 2025)
• Beer Garden at the Von Steuben – US Army MWR (Program Note)
• USAG Ansbach – Garrison Phonebook (VSCC Contact, Building 5845, Hours)