Czech Society of Oregon records

Collection

Identifier: Coll818

Staff Only

Content Description

The collection consists of the records of the Czech Society of Oregon and its previous incarnations: the Czech National Alliance; the Czechoslovak National Conference of America, Oregon Chapter; and the Czech and Slovak Society of Oregon. The collection also contains some records of the Telocvincny Jednota Sokol (Gymnastic Organization Sokol), whose members initially formed the Czech National Alliance. The records consist of meeting minutes, correspondence, and photographs and flyers relating to social gatherings and events. Most of the collection's materials prior to 1980 are photocopies. Many of the collection's folders include historical notes and chronological synopses of the records.

Dates

1916-2019

Creator

Czech Society of Oregon (Organization)

Language of Materials

A significant portion of the collection, including the bulk of records up until 1964, is in Czech. The collection does include English-language synopses of Czech-language records.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Administrative History

The Czech Society of Oregon was initially formed in Portland, Oregon, as the Czech National Alliance in 1916. The organization was founded by members of the Telocvincny Jednota Sokol (Gymnastic Organization Sokol), with the goal of supporting the cause of Czech independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Alliance was dissolved in 1920, then reformed in 1938 when the German-majority Sudeten region of Czechoslovakia was ceded to Nazi Germany. The Alliance and the related Czech Ladies Society raised funds to support Czechs affected by World War II and Czech refugees fleeing post-war Soviet occupation.

The National Czechoslovak Conference of America, Oregon Chapter was formed in 1964. It changed its name to the Czech and Slovak Society of Oregon in 2000, and again to the Czech Society of Oregon in 2003. Among other activities, it raised funds for flood relief efforts in Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The Czech Society of Oregon disbanded in 2019.

Extent

1.15 Cubic Feet (1 record carton)

Additional Description

Abstract

Records, dating from 1916 to 2019, of the Czech Society of Oregon and preceding or related organizations such as the Czech National Alliance, Telocvincny Jednota Sokol, the Czech Ladies Society, and National Czechoslovak Conference of America. The Czech Society was based in Portland, Oregon.