The previous home (National Hall) of the lodges of the Czechoslovak Society of America (CSA Fraternal Life) and Gymnastic Association Sokol St. Louis was located on Dolman and Allen Avenues. in the heart of Bohemian Hill in St. Louis. The American-Czech Educational Center was constructed in 1965. CSA and Sokol transferred their ownership shares intact from the National Hall to their new building on Lansdowne Ave.

Shareholders in the American-Czech Educational Center include Sokol St. Louis founded in 1865; the CSA lodges of Lodge Missouri #1 founded in 1854; Lodge Washington #30 founded in 1876; and Lodge Spirit of St. Louis #157 founded in 1934. Delegates from these organizations comprise the Board of Directors of the American-Czech Educational Center. Their purpose is to maintain the building and its contents. Funds for this purpose are derived from the Annual Homecoming Day held in October, the spring Czech Festival, donations from members and friends, memorial donations, and revenue derived from various Rentals of the premises.

The difficult tasks of maintenance and housekeeping duties are undertaken by volunteer members. These include day managers, cleanup crews, bartenders, lounge managers, officers, bookkeepers, and numerous maintenance & repair persons. The newsletter staff publishes the ACEC News each month to keep members and friends abreast of upcoming events and other articles of interest. The Czech School Board sponsors Czech language classes, and plans the Annual Mikulasska Zabava (St. Nicholas Party) and other cultural events.

Numerous other activities and events at the Center are sponsored by the shareholder organizations, i.e., CSA Selsky Ples (Peasant Ball), Sokol BOI Mardi Gras Dance, Sokol Gymnastic Exhibitions & Competitions, Czech Cooking Classes, Czech Language Classes, Xmas parties, BBQs, etc.

The American Czech Educational Center is a family oriented facility allowing people of all ages to gather for companionship and camaraderie.

Click here for a complete listing of events open to the public.

Click here to Czech out our Center's Cookbook!