New Oral History Project Underway

New Oral History Project Underway

Hundreds of thousands of Czechs and Slovaks fled their homeland during the communist era, many risking their lives in the process. Their stories, about why and how they emigrated, are sometimes dramatic, sometimes tragic, and essential to our understanding of the events that shaped the 20th Century.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is launching a new project to record the personal stories, family sagas and community histories of émigrés from Czechoslovakia who settled in Chicago, Washington DC and Cleveland. Their stories are personal, but they help explain monumental political and cultural shifts that occurred during the 20th Century. In what we believe is the first project of its kind, we aim to gather the personal accounts of Czech and Slovak Americans and preserve their stories for future generations. The success of this project depends on strong participation from people like you.

Are you a Czech or Slovak émigré living in Chicago, Washington DC or Cleveland?

Do you know someone with a story to tell?

Do you have any resources that you think might be of value to us?

If so, please contact:

Rosie Johnston – Project Coordinator, 319-362-8500 ext. 214, rjohnston@ncsml.org
Dave Muhlena – Project Director, 319-362-8500 ext. 202, dmuhlena@ncsml.org

Recording Voices and Documenting Memories of Czech and Slovak Americans has been made possible thanks to a grant awarded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library would also like to thank the Office of Slovaks Living Abroad, the Slovak Institute in Cleveland, the Czech Consulate in Chicago and the Chicago chapter of SVU for their cooperation on this project.