During the last four years, the NCSML conducted nearly 300 oral history interviews through its landmark project Recording Voices & Documenting Memories of Czech & Slovak Americans. The project was an effort to collect and preserve the stories of 20th century immigrants who fled Communist Czechoslovakia. No one could have anticipated the personal drama conveyed in these stories. Leaving Czechoslovakia brings this oral history project to life presenting the stories of these émigrés in their own words.
Leaving Czechoslovakia
The NCSML traveling exhibition program is generously supported by American Czech Association, Los Angeles and American Sokol Los Angeles.
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Dear NCSML
My great grandfather and family fled the Czechoslovakia during the war to the United States. We were fortunate enough to get out on ships to the United States. We know very little about our history or if we were Jews or or not. They came through Ellis island and changed our last name. I would love to speak with someone about my history and visit your facility.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jonathan
Grandmother (Marie Juran) and Grandfather (Tomas Smatla) left, just as WW1 began… Grandma was on LAST ship, allowed safe passage out of Bremerhaven, Ger at start of hostilities. Names are on Ellis Island (Grandma came in at Baltimore). I am the ONLY grandchild who learned the language (very PROUD of that!) and was taught the “who’s who” of famous people from Moravia and Czechoslovakia. Let us NEVER forget that THEY had the MOST SUCCESSFUL Democracy before WW-II stole it from them. What courage it took to leave their homes, to come HERE to build AMERICA. Dobro pratze
I’m curious if this exhibit is in eastern iowa somewhere? I’d like to take my grandchildren to see it this summer.
Hello Kristi,
Unfortunately, this exhibit won’t be on display in Eastern Iowa this summer.