The Rise and Fall of the American Robe Company
When the cigar factory on Ocean Avenue went dark in the Depression, a garment man who'd lost everything in the city reop…
Read More
Bohemia, Founded 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.
Upcoming Events
Sunday
18
October
2026
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Guest Speaker
A Personal Journey with Multiple Sclerosis
With author Janet Werner · At the museum, 1519 Locust Avenue
Author Janet Werner joins us to share her personal journey with MS — a story of resilience, perseverance, and hope. Her books will be available for purchase at the event.
Speaker
Janet Werner, author of non-fiction & poetry
Questions
Also coming up
- Nov15Guest Speaker: Danielle Moloney-HassettSunday · 2 – 5 p.m.
- Dec13Holiday CelebrationSunday · 2 – 5 p.m.
Our general membership meetings are open to everyone — no need to join first. They run April through June and September through December, and most feature a guest speaker on local or regional history.
View the full calendar →Also from the Society
Thank You, Bohemia
A Sunny Day for Our Community Yard Sale
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Museum grounds, 1519 Locust Avenue
The sun came out for our Community Yard Sale, and so did the neighbors. Every vendor space on the museum grounds was filled, and shoppers spent the day browsing tables of household goods, antiques, collectibles, crafts and books. We hope all of our vendors had a successful day, and that every shopper went home with something they love. Thank you to everyone who sold, shopped and stopped by — proceeds support the Society’s work preserving Bohemia’s history.
Now on Video
From Bohemia to Bohemia: Vera Truhlar’s Journey
Thank you to everyone who filled the building for this one. Vera Truhlar traced her own journey — from Czechoslovakia, which she left in 1969, to Bohemia, Long Island — introducing the influential Czech figures who left their mark on American history and exploring US–Czech relations through the pivotal moments and the key people who shaped it. The full program is now on video, travel tips for the Czech Republic and all.
Speaker: Vera Truhlar · Recorded September 20, 2026 · General Membership Meeting
Questions: info@bohemiahistoricalsocietyny.org
Now on Display
Our Postcards at the Connetquot Public Library
760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia · Free and open to the public
A selection of postcards from the Society’s collection is on display in the case at the Connetquot Public Library — views of Bohemia and of the old country that our founding families left behind. Our thanks to Sue Kubelle for setting up the display, and to the library for hosting us. Stop in and take a look the next time you’re there.
Our Unique Story
A cigar factory in Bohemia, New York.
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.
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.
Featured Stories
The Buchaceks of Bohemia
Local History The Buchaceks of Bohemia A Bohemia settler’s boy built Islip’s finest hostelry, gambled on an …
Read More
The Stochl Legacy: Flavor and Family on Church Street
Homemade noodles and liver dumpling soup, roast duck and knedliky on Sundays, the best pound cake from Cerny's Bakery do…
Read MoreWhat 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. Meet our 2026 recipient →
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, come to one of our 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.