On April 26th, the Dvořák American Heritage Association celebrated its 25th anniversary with special guests Laurie Beckelman (Historic Preservation Expert & Former Chair of NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission), Carol Greitzer (Preservation Advocate & Former NYC Council Member), Anthony Wood (Founder and Chair of New York Preservation Archive Project); Professor Michael Beckerman, Conductor Maurice Peress, Design Historian Majda Kallab Whitaker, Preservationist Jack Taylor, and DAHA's President Susan Lucak. The group of distinguished panelists explored DAHA’s early history, focusing on the efforts to save Dvořák House - the New York rowhouse where Antonín Dvořák lived and composed during his American residency from 1892-1895 - as a cultural landmark. While Dvořák House was eventually demolished, DAHA went on to co-name a section of East 17th Street “Dvořák Place.” install the Dvořák Statue in Stuyvesant Square Park, and create a new sense of place in the Dvořák Room at the Bohemian National Hall, as well as implementing creative musical and lecture programs to increase awareness and understanding of Dvořák’s American legacy and Czech musical culture. (See Highlights of DAHA History 1990 – 2015)

Founding DAHA member Jack Taylor was honored and guests previewed DAHA’s Anniversary Exhibition presenting highlights from the archive of Mr. Taylor and other historic documents in the Dvořák Room, organized by Majda Kallab Whitaker. ArtsAhimsa Ensemble musicians Laura Goldberg and Moshe Knoll performed Dvořák’s popular Humoresque No. 7, composed during Dvořák’s American residency.

See this event on DAHA’s YouTube Channel!

DAHA Board Members and guests.  Photo Credit: Katerina Kyselica, courtesy of DAHA — DAHA Board Members and guests. Photo Credit: Katerina Kyselica, courtesy of DAHA