About Us

TCHCC History

TCHCC incorporated on March 24, 1997, and received 501(c) 3 status in July of the same year. The location for this non-profit corporation was finalized when a lease was signed with the City of La Grange in November 1997. Statewide efforts by Czech-founded organizations to raise money to develop a Center that would preserve and promote the history, heritage, and culture of the people of Czech ethnicity actually began in 1995.

In December 1995, Texans of Czech Ancestry (TOCA), an umbrella organization that serves to improve and facilitate communication among Czech-founded organizations, called a meeting to hear a proposal offered by the Czech Heritage Society of Texas to build a library for the preservation of books and documents significant to Texas Czechs. Following presentations and discussion, TOCA voted to support building a statewide Czech cultural center with a library, museum, and archives.  Read more.

TCHCC Mission

TCHCC preserves and promotes the history, language, culture, and heritage of Czech Texans who trace their ancestry to present-day Czech Republic or the former Austro-Hungarian Empire (including Bohemia, Moravia, Silesia, and Slovakia). Read more.

Board of Directors and Staff

TCHCC Board of Directors 2023
Officers:
President:  Retta Slavik Chandler
Vice President: William H. Schovajsa
Secretary:  Phyllis Teykl
Treasurer:  Walter Stoever

Directors:
John Bartos, La Grange
Retta Slavik Chandler, La Grange
J. G. Hrncir, Hallettsville
Barbara Stanton Hruby, San Antonio
William H. Schovajsa, La Grange
James Steffek, Halletsville
Walter Stoever, La Grange
Dennis Vanek, Victoria
Brian Vanicek, Temple

Staff:
Mark Hermes, Manager
Georgia Vyvial, Part time
Cathleen Noska, Part time
Eugene Klekar, Part time

Honorary Board of Directors:
Elo Goerig
William Melnar