Bohemian Citizens' Benevolent Society

The Bohemian Citizens' Benevolent Society is a private benevolent society founded in 1892 in Astoria, Queens to support Czech and Slovak immigrants to the area, as well as people of Czech and Slovak ancestry. The Society is commonly known as "Bohemian Hall", for the historic structure (NRHP) in which it is located.[1]

Bohemian Hall and Park
Bohemian Hall, January 2009
Location29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, Queens, New York, U.S. 11105
Coordinates40°46′22″N 73°54′59″W
Arealess than one acre
Built1910
ArchitectChmelik, Frank
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.01000239 [1]
Added to NRHPMarch 23, 2001

Description

The founders of the organization said that the purpose of the society is to encourage, support, and maintain Bohemian schools, dramatics, and libraries for Czech children and children of Czech heritage; to maintain a non-profit-making home social for Czechs and people of Czech ancestry in which the Czech culture may be taught and blended with American traditions and culture which makes the people better Americans.[2] The organization has an annual revenue of $1,000,000 and employs a staff of approximately 14. The current president of the organization is Alan Svoboda.[3][4]

Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden
Beer garden

The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden has a big indoor and outdoor bar complex. The bar complex can hold 800 people and is open year-round.[5] Food that the bar serves is Czech specialties.[6] There is a linden tree that was planted by Václav Havel.[2] There are old signs and flags from the Czech Republic inside the bar. There are beers from the Czech Republic and Slovakia like Golden Pheasant, BrouCzech, Pilsner Urquell, Krušovice, Czechvar, and Staropramen.[5] Most of the workers speak Czech and English. Most of the regular people that are there are middle-aged and elderly immigrants. The Hall hosts holiday parties, ethnic festivals, local jazz groups, Czech rock bands, and touring acts.[7] The Bohemian Hall hosts the annual Czech and Slovak festival. The hall also has a Sokol club and a Czech school. The Bohemian Hall keeps the people linked, visually and materially, to the past.[2]

Closure

Revenue was so low in the early 1990s that the hall threatened to close. A large group of people, not all Czech, started a "Save the Hall" meeting. Václav Havel, the former president of Czechoslovakia, was so moved by the outcome of the meeting that when he stopped by in 2000 he stayed for hours and held a conference.[2]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Reaven, Marci; J. Zeitlin, Steven (2006). Hidden New York: a guide to places that matter. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-3890-7. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  3. "Bohemian Citizens Benevolent Society Of Astoria Inc". Manta. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  4. "Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Archived from the original (Searchable database) on 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2016-04-01. Note: This includes Kathy Howe (December 2000). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Bohemian Citizens' Benevolent Society" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-04-01. and Accompanying 20 photographs
  5. Farber, Jim; Salamone, Gina (2010-05-23). "As Astoria's Bohemian Hall turns 100, a look at New York's best new beer gardens". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  6. Marie Rovito, Lisa (2006). Frommer's Great Escapes From NYC Without Wheels. John Wiley and Sons. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7645-9829-6. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  7. Mitchell, Wendy (2003). New York City's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in the Five Boroughs. Ig Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-9703125-3-2. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
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