What: Czech Feszt 2008
When: 10 a.m.-midnight Oct. 18
Where: Temple Municipal Plaza at Third and Central in downtown
Admission: $2
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Contractors are expected to start work Oct. 6 on the new Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center located in the historic commercial site at the corner of West French and North Third.
Whiteco Construction Services of Temple is managing the renovations and remodeling, which began in August. The building is estimated to be finished by May 2009.
Although the cost is estimated at $900,000, well above the original fund-raising goal of $650,000, executive director Sandi Wicker is optimistic the museum will reach its new goals.
The museum, formerly called the SPJST Library, Archives, and Museum, since 1971 has been located in the basement of the SPJST Headquarters building at 520 N. Main. SPJST is a fraternal, cultural and insurance organization headquartered in Temple. The Czech Heritage Museum library has the largest Czech genealogy collection in Texas, drawing researchers from all over the United States.
The museum will continue to be open to visitors in its current location in the basement of the SPJST Home Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Next year’s move to the Spanish-style art-deco north side landmark at 515 N. Third St. will make the museum more accessible and visible to tourists, Ms. Wicker said.
Built by Herbert B. Mason, M.D., in 1931, the 8,400-square-foot building has housed many businesses - pharmacy, grocery, dress boutique, restaurant, coffee house, antique store, beauty shop, among others.
When finished, the building will house the museum’s historical displays, archives, video theater and conference room, genealogy library and kolache shop. The main entrance will be relocated to West French, east of the current entrance.
In preparation for its move, the museum’s board recently voted to change its name. “The name change is to better reflect the status of the museum in the Czech community and emphasize the resources available,” Board president Jerry Milan of Fort Worth said.
Tanya Mikeska, architect with the Architectural Edge, began design work in January. Despite its age, the building itself has “definitely good bones” with ornate tile façade, steel beams, arched windows and cinderblock walls overlaid with brick, Ms. Mikeska said.
“The building is not registered as a historic landmark, but our intent is to bring it back to its original design as much as possible,” she said. The building’s distinctive tile will be preserved, she added.
The City of Temple’s second annual Czech Feszt on Oct. 18 will honor Central Texas Czech Heritage and benefiting the Czech Heritage Museum. On the lineup will be polka bands, dancing, homemade sausages, kolache baking contest, and other activities for all ages.
Last year, the first Feszt garnered about $7,000 for the museum.
--pbenoit@temple-telegram.com
