Czech Heritage Society of Texas

Bexar County Chapter

Dedicated to Preservation of our Czech Heritage

The Bexar County chapter strives to accomplish the Society's goals of history, genealogy, culture, and language by sponsoring or participating in a wide variety of local activities. During March, the Chapter conducts its Annual Czech Heritage Dance at Martinez Hall where members eat home-made kolaches and listen to good Czech music by one of the many popular polka bands. In August, the members are in charge of the Czech Booth at the Annual Folklife Festival held on the grounds of the Institute of Texan Cultures and Hemisfair park in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to traditional Czech food, the Chapter provides Folklife customers with Czech music and Czech arts and crafts. Starting in September, and continuing throughout each school year, the Chapter sponsors beginning and advanced Czech language courses at Our Lady of Grace Parish classroom located at 223 E Summit, San Antonio, Texas. Chapter volunteers, working with other members of the Institute of Texas Cultures, also visit schools throughout Texas giving talks about the ethnic and cultural life of the Czechs in Texas and displaying various artifacts.

In December, the Czech language classes hold their annual Christmas Party. Guests frequently include students from the Czech Republic who are studying at the Lackland AFB Language School. Shortly before Christmas, the Chapter members sing Czech Christmas songs from a barge on the San Antonio River as part of San Antonio's annual "Christmas on the River" pageant. The Bexar County Chapter is currently working with the City of San Antonio to establish a Sister City linkage and promote cultural exchanges with cities in the Czech Republic.

In addition to annual events, the Chapter also sponsors special trips and projects such as the bus trip on June 12, 1993, to the SPJST Museum located at Temple, Texas. Covered dish socials (potluck supers) are held periodically so that all of the Chapter members can share their experiences and information. Additional information on meetings, special events, and cultural activities is furnished through the Chapter's newsletters.

Compiled by Gene Labay