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History of the Bohemian National Hall
1896 – Designed by architect William C. Frohne in neo-Renaissance palazzo style, Bohemian National Hall opens at 321-325 East 73rd Street in Manhattan following successful Czech community fundraising campaign, including Antonin Dvorak-led concert in 1892.
1897 – Fifty-plus Czech émigré social, sporting, and intellectual clubs gather in Hall, but space constraints require construction of eastern addition to existing building identical in style and materials to fully accommodate group activity in restaurant, bar, club rooms, top- floor ballroom/theater, basement bowling alley and shooting gallery.
1914 – New theater annex on East 74th Street provides additional facility for World War I political activism, including $500,000 Liberty Bond sale for Czechoslovak homeland sovereignty, soon to be realized.
1938 – Political activity resumes following Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia.
1940-60s – Theater annex leased out as private operation to professional drama groups; other facilities made available for rental income.
1986 – Ghostly rotting building declared unfit for occupancy, though partial use permitted for occasional community events through 1990s.
1994 – Designated New York City landmark by Landmarks Preservation Commission.
2002 – Architects chosen, plans drawn for $10 million state-of-the-art renovation; tender held for general contractor, subcontractor, won by PSJ Holding, Czech company.
2003 – Renovation work begins; careful restoration of principal façade completed by Czech-American architect Jan Hird Pokorny.
2005 – Renovation of third floor partly completed, including Dvorak space; building opens for partial use by Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association.
2006 – Dvorak American Heritage Association (DAHA) awarded space for Dvorak Room in BNH. Plans call for display of Dvorak House plaque, fireplace mantel, and other artifacts, and for Dvorak media center and library. Room now used as temporary office by government of Czech Republic.
2008 – Expected official opening of building with restaurant, art gallery, library, ballroom, Dvorak Room; Czech Republic government offices, including Czech Center and Czech Consulate.
Bohemian National Hall Background
1897 – Fifty-plus Czech émigré social, sporting, and intellectual clubs gather in Hall, but space constraints require construction of eastern addition to existing building identical in style and materials to fully accommodate group activity in restaurant, bar, club rooms, top- floor ballroom/theater, basement bowling alley and shooting gallery.
1914 – New theater annex on East 74th Street provides additional facility for World War I political activism, including $500,000 Liberty Bond sale for Czechoslovak homeland sovereignty, soon to be realized.
1938 – Political activity resumes following Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia.
1940-60s – Theater annex leased out as private operation to professional drama groups; other facilities made available for rental income.
1986 – Ghostly rotting building declared unfit for occupancy, though partial use permitted for occasional community events through 1990s.
1994 – Designated New York City landmark by Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Bohemian National Hall
2001 – Czech Republic buys building for one dollar from Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association, umbrella organization for several Czech community clubs originally formed in 1900s.2002 – Architects chosen, plans drawn for $10 million state-of-the-art renovation; tender held for general contractor, subcontractor, won by PSJ Holding, Czech company.
2003 – Renovation work begins; careful restoration of principal façade completed by Czech-American architect Jan Hird Pokorny.
2005 – Renovation of third floor partly completed, including Dvorak space; building opens for partial use by Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association.
2006 – Dvorak American Heritage Association (DAHA) awarded space for Dvorak Room in BNH. Plans call for display of Dvorak House plaque, fireplace mantel, and other artifacts, and for Dvorak media center and library. Room now used as temporary office by government of Czech Republic.
2008 – Expected official opening of building with restaurant, art gallery, library, ballroom, Dvorak Room; Czech Republic government offices, including Czech Center and Czech Consulate.
Bohemian National Hall Background