View of The Dvořák Room at the Bohemian National Hall in Upper East Side
The Dvořák Room welcomes in-person visits once again as part of Open House New York, the free Annual OHNY Weekend – an unparalleled citywide cultural event that showcases hundreds of NYC’s most architecturally and culturally significant spaces and places, many not usually open to the public.
The entire Bohemian National Hall – a New York City Landmark dating from 1896 – will be open for whirlwind tours of this remarkable historic center of Czech and Slovak life in New York City.
The Dvořák Room was created by the Dvořák American Heritage Association to commemorate and celebrate Dvořák’s influential American years, which inspired his world famous “New World” Symphony, “American“ Quartet and Quintet, and many other beloved works. Memorabilia from Dvořák’s American years are exhibited in a 19th- century period room setting with graphic panels telling the story of Dvořák in America.
Highlighting the event will be a rare viewing of the original copy of the contract that brought the celebrated Czech composer Antonín Dvořák to America for his renowned three-year residency from 1892-95. This fall marks the 130th anniversary of Dvořák’s arrival in America to assume directorship of the National Conservatory of Music of America, the New York-based institution founded by visionary music patron Jeannette M. Thurber, who offered Dvořák a fortune to take the position. Read more details about the contract in The New York Times.
Free admittance, no reservations required. First come, first served.
For more information about Open House NY Bohemian National Hall tours, visit Czech Center New York website.
The Dvořák Room will also be open for guided visits at DAHA concert events on October 14 and November 1, led by DAHA curator Majda Kallab Whitaker.
