2017 News
TCHCC To Honor Women of Polka
The annual gala hosted by the Texas Czech Heritage & Cultural Center on Sat., Dec. 2, will honor women singers, Martha Viktorin and the East Bernard Czech Singers; musician and dance hall owner Alice Sulak; and publishers Marie Tupa and Theresa Parker. The evening will include dinner and a dance with music by The Czechaholics. For more information about tickets to the gala, contact 1-888-785-4500 or info@CzechTexas.org. Read more.
"Made in Czechoslovakia": Exhibit of Czech Ceramic and Glass
A new featured exhibit has opened for the winter at the TCHCC Museum. The items exhibited were made for export in Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1938, and feature the stamp “Made in Czechoslovakia.” This is the only time in Czech history that the nation was formally called Czechoslovakia. The ceramics and glass made during this period is the only time the products were stamped making them very unique. The exhibit features the private collections of Retta Slavik Chandler and Jean Blaha Davis and the donated collections of Mary Ingles and Rosie Bodein. The exhibit will run from now until March 17, 2018.
October Is Czech Heritage Month
Members of the Fayette County Chapter of the Czech Heritage Society of Texas and representatives from the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center together with Judge Ed Janecka signed a proclamation declaring October as “Czech Heritage Month” in Fayette County. Read more.
1921 Rumely Model ‘E’ to Run Zapalac Saw Mill
at Heritage Fest
One demonstration of early life in the settling of Texas that is always a hit at the Heritage Fest & Muziky is the running of the 1890's saw mill. To make it more interesting, the Fest organizers try to run all the demonstrations with period power equipment. This year, on Saturday, October 21, the Zapalac Saw Mill will be operated by a 1921 Rumely Oil Pull 30-60 Model “E,” owned and operated by the Buice Family of Waco, Texas. This behemoth tractor measures over 18 ft. long, 10 ft. wide, and 12-ft. tall and weighs 26,000 lbs. It will be a sight to see as it thunders across the TCHCC grounds. Read more.
Czech Republic Helps Czech-Texan Community
Hit by Harvey
Hynek Kmonicek, Czech Republic Ambassador to the United States, announced the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lubomir Zaoralek, approved the provision of five million Czech Crowns ($237,437) for humanitarian assistance to displaced families in La Grange, Texas in response to Hurricane Harvey. Brian Vanicek, Honorary Consul to the Czech Republic for Texas, notified La Grange officials of this donation that is intended for the basic needs of people displaced by Hurricane Harvey such as: shelter, food, water, health and hygiene needs. Read more.
Picnics, Bazaars, & Festivals
The 2018 TCHCC Calendar will feature church picnics and bazaars, Czech festivals and Czech organization gatherings and fests. Get out those photo albums from the KJT, KJZT, SPJST, RVOS, etc. picnics or ask your parish for some early pictures of picnics. Scenes from the many Czech fests are also included. Pictures from fests today or yesterday. Any and all are welcomed! We would like copies if possible so that we do not have to return them. Emailed pictures are great too! Be a part of the 2018 Calendar!! Send in your photos by the first week of August so that we can print the calendar in time for the Heritage Fest in October. Mail to: TCHCC, PO Box 6, La Grange, TX 78945 or email to: info@czechtexas.org. See the flyer. Ad sponsorships are also available. Fill out the form.
Heritage Fest & Muziky Set for Oct 20-21
Get ready to dance, feast, shop, and learn about Texas Czech culture at the Heritage Festival & Muziky on October 20-21, 2017. The Fest will begin at 4 PM on Friday in front of the main building with Oktoberfest on the Deck. At 5:30 PM, TCHCC's famous chicken and dumplings will be served while it lasts in the Hanslik Banquet Hall. At 6 PM, music will be provided by the Dujka Brothers until 9:30 PM.
Saturday will see plenty of action all over the TCHCC Complex. The day kicks off with an opening ceremony at 10 AM. The La Grange Ford Hospoda (Beer Garden) will be filled with cold pivo and musical entertainment by the Red Ravens and Bohemian Dutchmen from 11 AM to 6 PM. Read more.
Welcome Spring and Celebrate Czech Heritage
TCHCC is celebrating its 20th anniversary with three days of special events, including the 16th Annual Slavnost (May Fest) on Sun., May 21. The celebration begins on Fri., May 19, with a special presentation on the Legacy of Svatava Jakobson and the Texas Czech Legacy Project. On Sat., May 20, A Musical Tribute to 20 Years by Czech & Then Some will be held from 7-9 pm at the Sanford Schmid Amphitheater. Slavnost (May Fest) on Sunday will get underway with a ceremony at 10:30 am paying tribute to all Czech-Texas immigrants. A delicious fried chicken dinner will be served beginning at 11 am. Plenty of Czech-style desserts will also be available, along with refreshing beverages of all kinds. The Jodie Mikula Orchestra from Ennis will provide the music from 12:30 to 5 pm. Read more.
Museum Exhibit: Through the Printed Word
The exhibit featuring Czech-Texas newspapers, documents, and printed artifacts that tell the story of Czech settlers continues to be on display in the museum. See the photos. A special pictorial exhibit has been added to document 20 years of the TCHCC.
Fair Pavilion Hall Featured in National Magazine
Fair Pavilion Hall on the TCHCC campus was featured in an article in Preservation magazine, a publication of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Read the article.
Order Joe Patek DVD
Joe Patek Orchestra Re-created DVD. Recorded live at Sandford Schmid Amphitheater on Oct. 18, 2015 at the TCHCC Heritage Fest & Muziky. Features the 90-minute performance with all the song intros by Alfred Vrazel, stories about the band, and your favorite Patek tunes like the Hills of Shiner Polka, Grandfather’s Joy Waltz, Orphan Waltz, Spanish Eyes, and of course, the Shiner Song.
$25 DVD only | $30 for DVD and TCHCC Joe Patek T-Shirt Combo Click here to order.
TCHCC to Host Czech Brass Band
Stříbrňanka, a dechovka (brass band) will provide the music for a dance at Fair Pavilion Hall on Wednesday, April 26. Czech-style stew will be served starting at 6 pm, and the dance begins at 7 pm. The band from southern Moravia is made up of professional musicians and amateurs that previously toured Texas in 2013. They play Moravian and Bohemian folk songs, dance tunes, and their own songs. Founded in 1970 they have over 30 CDS, tapes, and DVDs, and play in the Czech Republic at festivals, dances, and feast-day celebrations. The tour is brought to you by Dr. Thomas Sovik and the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas (CEFT) Residency in Czech Music and Culture at the University of North Texas. Buy tickets now.
Unique Valentine Experience
Enjoy a formal evening at the Valentine Dinner and Piano Concert on Sat., Feb. 11.
People's Choice: Best Fayette Co Museum
Each year, the Fayette County Record newspaper asks its readers to vote for the best the county has to offer. Categories include businesses, services, restaurants, and museums. TCHCC was chosen in 2017, 2016, and 2015 as the best museum in the county. Děkuju (thank you) to our volunteers who work hard to make the center an inviting place to visit, and to Fayette County residents for voting us best!
Museum Exhibits
TCHCC is featuring two exhibits now through February 28. Through the Printed Word displays Czech-Texas Newspapers, documents, and printed artifacts. See the photos. The Josef Lada Exhibit displays prints and artwork of Josef Lada, a prolific painter, illustrator, and cartoonist from the Hrusice village in the Czech Republic. Read more. There is no charge to visit the exhibits Monday-Friday, 10 am-4 pm, and Saturday, 10 am-3pm.