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TIMELINE OF SNH
TIME LINE OF EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE SLOVENIAN NATIONAL HOME
1903 - St. Clair area Slovenians begin collecting contributions to build their own “Home”
1904 - Knaus’ Hall is built and the idea of St. Clair Slovenians acquiring their own “Home” dies
4/22/1914 - Rally at Grdina Hall due to rekindled interest in building their own “Home”. Need for a better facility for growing drama and social life. Plan is formulated and steering committee formed for what is now” Slovenian National Home”
4/27/1914 - First steering committee meeting where they elect a total of 27 committee members
Till 7/28/1914 - 14 meetings held to prepare for convention
8/3/1914 - Convention held at Grdina Hall 6025 St. Clair Avenue 42 associations represented – 105 delegates. Decision to call the building “Slovenian National Home” & set share price at $10.00
8/17/1914 - Incorporation of “The Slovenian National Home”
3/15/1916 - Next meeting – board is elected
4/1916 - Formation of Zarja Singing Society as an all male chorus
9/1916-6/1917 - Bazaars and other events held to raise money to build their “Home”
12/1917 - Total of $18,000 collected to build their “Home”
3/31/1918 - Meeting to purchase Diemer Mansion and property at 64th street to Addison for $45,000. Down payment of $15,000 made with the remaining $30,000 on a 20 year note with interest of 5%
6/1919 - Meeting to discuss plans for “Slovenian National Home”
1920 to 1950 - Dances Sat. & Sun. put on by lodges
1921 - 20 year Note of $30,000 paid in full
1/29/1922 - Decision to build as soon as $40,000 was collected
1923 - Accumulation of $62,000 and begin construction of neo-renaissance building
2/8/1923 - Pit dug for hall and first brick laid at 1:03 PM
4/15/1923 - Opening Ceremonies for the hall – bands cornerstone laid
1924 - Store fronts build Maksim Gaspari creates a water color picture of “Mother Slovenia” at the request of Vatro Grill of the dramatic society “Ivan Cankar” to be reproduced as a stage curtain for the hall
3/1/1924 - Solemn dedication of building
3/1&2/1924 - Grand opening of hall
1928 - Zarja performs its 1st Slovenian opera (Turjaska Rozamunda)in the hall
1930 - Club room opens, Political differences split Zarja
1930-1940 - Singing group known as Independent Zarja
1934 - Bar room (Kenik Room) and Bocce Courts built
9/9/1934 - First children’s concert under direction of Anton Schubel
12/20/1934 - By laws adopted for Club of Association of SND
1934 - Bar room (Kenik Room) and Bocce Courts built
9/9/1934 - First children’s concert under direction of Anton Schubel
12/20/1934 - By laws adopted for Club of Association of SND
4/1938 - Circle 2 (oldest active youth circle) founded as the idea of Lodge #5 of SNPJ
1934 - Bar room (Kenik Room) and Bocce Courts built
9/9/1934 - First children’s concert under direction of Anton Schubel
12/20/1934 - By laws adopted for Club of Association of SND
4/1938 - Circle 2 (oldest active youth circle) founded as the idea of Lodge #5 of SNPJ
1934 - Bar room (Kenik Room) and Bocce Courts built
9/9/1934 - First children’s concert under direction of Anton Schubel
12/20/1934 - By laws adopted for Club of Association of SND
4/1938 - Circle 2 (oldest active youth circle) founded as the idea of Lodge #5 of SNPJ
6/20/1940 - Independent Zarja holds first rehearsal as Glasbena Matica
9/8/1940 - Glasbena Matica first concert
1942 - Gaspari curtain created by Shirley Braithwaite, theater artist
1949 - Glasbena Matica performs grand opera until the death of Director, Anton Schubel 6/9/65
1950 - Korotan established
1955 - Music becomes the main activity of Circle 2 under the direction of Anton Schubel
1961 - Formation of Federation of SND and the first “Man of the Year” event
1962 - First Thanksgiving Day Dance (Held at hall until 1980)
5/1969 - 55th Anniversary of SND organization & 45th Anniversary of hall
1970 - Avsenik and Slak appear at SND
5/1974 - 60th Anniversary of SND organization & 50th Anniversary of hall
11/1983 - First Thanksgiving Eve Jam Session at SND
3/1985 - 70th Anniversary of SND organization & 60th Anniversary of hall
4/17/1985 - City ordinance designating SND as a Cleveland Landmark
1987 - Friends of Slovenian National Home organization formed
1988 - Lower hall renovated
1989 - Friends received its 501C3 status, Annex renovated. New dishwasher installed as result of donation from “Friends”
1990 - Major roof renovation over main hall
1991 - Slovenia Independence
1992 - SND main hall and lobby refurbished, painted with new window treatment and chandeliers re-gilded
1993 - Gaspari Curtain restored at a cost of $25,062.00 security system and new air conditioning system put in place
1994 - Barroom renamed “The Eddie Kenik Annex” for President Emeritus Eddie Kenik
1995 - New boiler installed, Rally held for political candidate Bob Dole
1998 - Storefront Renovation Program - revitalized SND façade with new marquee lobby of hall and restrooms renovated to be ADA compliant
1999 - Store front renovation project continues
2000 - Handicap lift installed
2004 - John Kerry political rally held
2005 - Parking lot renovation
2007 - Made deal with Sifco for parcels of land to add to the existing parking lot
2008 - Print of Gaspari water color given to Republic of Slovenia for exhibit at Slovenia Presidency of the European Union
2012 - Ladies rest room in Kenik Room renovated
2013 - First Kurentovanje held with plans to make it a yearly event
3/1/2014 - 90th Anniversary of the grand opening of the SND hall and the 2nd annual Kurentovanje
8/17/2014 - 100th Anniversary of the incorporation of SND