Evolution of Our Ethnic Community in New York City

In 1884 the inn of Mr. Hubáček was purchased by twenty Bohemian societies and after reconstruction, supported by a loan from Sokol of $2,500, it became the first Bohemian National Hall at 525 East Fifth Street.

At that time the Hall witnessed numerous theater performances, society meetings, dances and weddings. The Sokol Drama Club was founded in 1888 at the inn of A. Kopta at the East 2nd Street. Its first performance, Vrátný z Karlína, was staged at the Bohemian National Hall at the East 5th Street and it yielded a net profit of $46 and 70 cents.

The Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Society (BBLA) was founded in 1892 as an umbrella organization for several ethnic societies and lodges. The relation between Sokol New York, the Bohemian National Hall (BNH) on the Lower East Side and later the BBLA was essentially cooperative but not without frictions. Initially, Sokol was a member of the board of the BNH, being a partial property owner. Later, Sokol became one of the founding members of the BBLA.

An essential role of these constituent organizations was to erect a spacious and representative Bohemian National Hall (BNH) at the Upper East Side where in the course of years most of the ethnic community moved. The space at the Czech pubs and at the original BNH became inadequate to satisfy the requirements of the growing community. Sokol and other organizations fully supported the project for a new construction by frequent fund raising, exhibits and theater performances (one theater performance in 1891 contributed $100 for the new BNH). A concert in 1892, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Sokol NY at the Central Opera House on the 65th Street, was attended by the newly appointed director of NY Conservatory of Music, Antonin Dvorak and his family. This event raised $200 for the new BNH.

A disagreement between Sokol and the Board of the former BNH flared up during planning the new BNH. Sokols insisted on including a large gymnasium at the new BNH for their exercise. Even before, the roots of disagreement were related to BNH Board members who were unwilling to grant Sokols enough space and time for exercise at the former BNH. Sokols insisted on selling the former BNH and from the proceeds and from fund raising, to erect a new building at the East 73rdStreet.

In March 1894 the Board of Sokol NY voted 142 against 42 in favor of the construction of a Sokol Hall on East 71st Street, independent of BBLA. In 1894 Sokol NY decided to assess each member to contribute $ 50 toward the Sokol building fund, payable in four years. The building lots cost $ 13,500, the excavation and rock removal another $ 8,500. After an initial estimated building expense of $ 52,815, considered at that time an enormous amount, the new Sokol NY Hall was festively opened to the public in November 1896, after a ground breaking only in June of the same year.

The new Bohemian National Hall (BNH) of 1896 by William C. Froehne, an architect who previously designed the German American Rifle Association Building at the Saint Marks Place at the Lower East Side, was a representative cultural and social center for the large Bohemian community. Situated at the East 73rd Street and after substantial reconstruction in the 1990s it is now again the pride of our ethnic community and of the Czech government.

Construction cost of new BNH in 1896 was reported as $150,000. In addition to the large ballroom on the fourth floor, it had a restaurant, two bars and in the basement a bowling alley, a shooting gallery and a large safe.

Theater performances, dance activities, weddings and exhibits contributed to a sound annual income. The building was also used as a staging area by various ethnic societies for the street parades in Manhattan. In 1899 the building was already considered too small and an addition to the east was obtained. Further expansion occurred in 1914 when a movie theater annex, connected with the main building on East 73rd Street, was acquired on the East 74th Street.In March 1894 the Board of Sokol NY voted 142 against 42 in favor of the construction of a Sokol Hall on East 71st Street, independent of BBLA. In 1894 Sokol NY decided to assess each member to contribute $ 50 toward the Sokol building fund, payable in four years. The building lots cost $ 13,500, the excavation and rock removal another $ 8,500. After an initial estimated building expense of $ 52,815, considered at that time an enormous amount, the new Sokol NY Hall was festively opened to the public in November 1896, after a ground breaking only in June of the same year.

The new Bohemian National Hall (BNH) of 1896 by William C. Froehne, an architect who previously designed the German American Rifle Association Building at the Saint Marks Place at the Lower East Side, was a representative cultural and social center for the large Bohemian community. Situated at the East 73rd Street and after substantial reconstruction in the 1990s it is now again the pride of our ethnic community and of the Czech government.

Construction cost of new BNH in 1896 was reported as $150,000. In addition to the large ballroom on the fourth floor, it had a restaurant, two bars and in the basement a bowling alley, a shooting gallery and a large safe.

Theater performances, dance activities, weddings and exhibits contributed to a sound annual income. The building was also used as a staging area by various ethnic societies for the street parades in Manhattan. In 1899 the building was already considered too small and an addition to the east was obtained. Further expansion occurred in 1914 when a movie theater annex, connected with the main building on East 73rd Street, was acquired on the East 74th Street.