The First Father: Jan Kratochvil
He was a 42-year-old musician from a village east of Prague who traded his instrument for a shovel, cleared scrub oak for fifty cents a day, and stayed when the…
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Est. 1855 • Long Island, New York
Preserving the History of Bohemia, NY
A village founded by Czech immigrants in 1855 — built on hard work, independence, and community.
Our Unique Story
Bohemia is not just another town on the map; it is a community born from a distinct and resilient spirit. Unlike many Long Island settlements founded by English farmers or Dutch traders, our story began in 1855 with a small group of Czech immigrants. Seeking an escape from the crowded tenements of New York City, these families — many of them musicians and tradesmen — traveled east to establish a new life in the open air of Suffolk County. Naming their new home after the Kingdom of Bohemia in Central Europe, they built a village defined by hard work, independence, and strong cultural roots.
Announcements
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Vendors Wanted
Community Yard Sale — Saturday, October 10
The Bohemia Historical Society will host its Community Yard Sale on the museum grounds at 1519 Locust Avenue, Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come browse household goods, antiques, collectibles, crafts and books — and support the Society while you’re at it. In the event of rain, the sale moves to Sunday, October 11.
Date
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Rain date: Sunday, October 11
Hours
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Vendor setup from 8:30 a.m.
Location
Bohemia Historical Society Museum
1519 Locust Avenue, Bohemia, N.Y. 11716
Vendor Spaces
Approximately 10 ft × 10 ft
$20 per space (members) · $25 (non-members)
Interested in selling? Download the vendor registration form below and return it with your fee. Spaces are assigned by the Society and are not held until the form and payment are received. Questions? Call or text Rebecca at (631) 804-1218 or email info@bohemiahistoricalsocietyny.org.
June 14, 2026
Congratulations to Our 2026 William Tmay Jr. Scholar
The Bohemia Historical Society was proud to announce Gabriella Grizzaffi as the 2026 recipient of the William Tmay Jr. Scholarship. A lifelong member of the Bohemia community, Gabriella has shown an exceptional commitment to service, the arts, and the values that have defined our town since its founding. We were honored to celebrate her achievement at the Scholarship Award Presentation on Saturday, June 14th.
Meeting Schedule
General Membership Meetings
We welcome everyone — both current members and the general public — to join us! Regular meetings are held during the spring (April through June) and autumn (September through December).
Board Meetings
Closed sessions reserved for active board members.
Featured Stories
The Life and Sacrifice of Joseph Kovarik
He survived the Great War only to be lost, in 1927, to an elevator accident back home. But the village never let go of Joseph Kovarik's name: in 1941, Legionnai…
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The Legend of the “Suicide Squad”
Undefeated across Suffolk County for five straight summers, the Bohemia Fire Department's racing team earned an ominous nickname: the "Suicide Squad." On summer…
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Bohumil “Barney” Stejskal
Hotelier, Seabee, undefeated firematic racer, ambulance company founder, school board president — Barney Stejskal spent nearly a century quietly holding Bohemia…
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The Hurricane of 1938
On September 21, 1938, Bohemia woke to a forecast of "rain and breezy conditions." By 2:30 that afternoon, the eye of the most destructive hurricane in Long Isl…
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The Legacy of Joseph Jedlicka
He arrived at 18 as a tinsmith, built Bohemia's very first habitation, fought for the Union, plumbed the mansions of Vanderbilts and Belmonts, and raised Americ…
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Our Mission
The Bohemia Historical Society is the official guardian of this rich narrative. We are a non-profit organization, proudly chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Bohemia, New York.
We believe that history is not just about dates and names; it is about the daily lives of the people who built this community. It is the story of the Czech and Slavic families who turned living rooms into cigar factories during the height of the cigar-making boom. It is the memory of the horse farms and stables that gave our hamlet its enduring equestrian character. It is the legacy of the volunteer fire departments, the local schoolhouses, and the benevolent societies that formed the social fabric of our community.
What We Do
The Museum
Our headquarters serves as a time capsule for the town. We maintain a growing collection of photographs, documents, oral histories, and artifacts that offer a window into the past.
Annual Scholarship
We are committed to investing in the future of our community. Each year, the Society awards a college scholarship to a deserving high school senior to help support their academic goals.
Education
We host regular meetings featuring guest speakers and presentations on local and regional history, ensuring that the lessons of the past are accessible to residents of all ages.
Join Us in Making History
Whether your family has lived here since the 1800s or you have just moved to town, the history of Bohemia belongs to you. We invite you to visit our museum, attend our monthly meetings, and become a part of our mission. By understanding where we came from — from the early struggles of the first settlers to the suburban evolution of the 20th century — we can better appreciate the community we call home today.