We had the honor to be present at the official opening of the first ever Emigration Museum in Slovakia.
Kasigarda: Museum of Emigration from Slovakia is located in the region that was and still is most affected by emigration – eastern Slovakia. The museum houses over 4,000 precious exhibits, collected over many years by Dr Martin Javor from the University of Presov, founder of the museum.
Kasigarda is the contorted name of Castle Garden, an immigration station in New York prior to the opening of Ellis Island. Countless Slovaks in the early days of emigration passed through -Castle Garden or Kasigarda as they called it.
The museum is located in a house that was built by migrant money earned in America, a structure once impressive and novel in the tiny village of Ťahyňa that had not seen such innovation before. It represents the influence of amerikáni, Slovaks who worked in America and then returned home, bringing with them new ideas and trends. Across the ocean, they were exposed to a much more developed world then the rural life Slovakia offered. They also earned money and wanted to invest it in their native villages. Whether it was modern houses, fashion or a new language, amerikáni stood out from the locals.
Although emigration is an important part of recent Slovak history, it has been neglected and overlooked by Slovak governments and population alike. It took many years of determination to make the museum a reality. It is all thanks to the diligent work of Dr Martin Javor, that Slovakia finally has a monument documenting its emigration past.
The opening was attended by distinguished guests from Slovakia and beyond, including Jaroslav Naď, the Slovak Minister of Defense.
Now the destinies of the brave Slovaks who dared to leave all that they knew behind to pursue a better life in faraway America will not be forgotten.
The opening was attended by distinguished guests from Slovakia and beyond, including Jaroslav Naď, the Slovak Minister of Defense.
Thank Dr Martin Javor for making this dream a reality.
If you find yourself in eastern Slovakia, it is worth paying a visit to this unique and touching place. Follow this link below to the museum's website.
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