Kasigarda - Museum of Emigration from Slovakia to North America
Not that long time ago we visited a unique Museum Kasigarda, dedicated to emigration from Slovakia to the North America in the 19th and 20th century. Most people left their homeland from this part of the country to the “New World” as they called North America.
We organized a private ancestry tour where i was a tour guide/driver for our US client Richard and his family. Richard, from Seattle/USA had Slovak grandparents and his life-long dream was to come to the country of his ancestors.
A wholehearted welcome
After a pleasant drive through the untouched Eastern Slovak countryside, slightly more than an hour from Kosice city (our base camp for a few nights), we reached the village Tahyna.
We were welcomed by Martin Javor personally. He’s the founder and owner of this private museum. Martin gave us a short introduction before an interesting guided tour enriched with stories. He showed us spectacular pieces that once belonged to Slovaks they left the Old Country on their journey to the New World. The suitcases, newspapers, passports, flags, costumes, furniture and many other objects.
We had a thousand questions, Martin told us about his numerous journeys to the USA and his future plans with the museum and Richard shared his touching story. We were also offered home-made Slivovica (plum brandy) and enjoyed the precious moments sitting under the tree in the garden.
About Kasigarda Museum
The name of the Museum – Kasigarda is a Slovak crumb of the English Castle Garden, the main gate of the immigration office in New York, which every immigrant had to go through. “Kasigarda” accurately reflects the phenomenon of emigration. Illiteracy, ignorance of language, hardship, stress, disappointment, but above all the hope that Kasigard represented for many of our ancestors.
“Emigration is an essential part of Slovak history. It is unbelievable that a third of the Slovak nation emigrated from the last quarter of the 19th century until 1968. For Slovak Americans, the Museum of Emigration will offer powerful insights and artifacts into the lives of Slovaks who sought refuge in North America in the late 19th and early 20th century.”
The museum is in a reconstructed “American style house” located in a remote area near the Slovak-Ukrainian borders. Not to forget to mention that the museum has more than 4000 items which approximately 90 percent are from the USA and Canada.
I recommend the visit to all travelers, but, especially meaningful it is for North American travelers they have their ancestral roots in Slovakia.
Martin Javor and his story
“My great-grandfather left Ťahyňa for work with his wife, leaving at home a young son, my grandfather, whom they had seen 20 years later. These people deserve our respect, and, above all, they deserve our knowledge.
So that their difficult life in America will not be forgotten. It was this ignorance of my own history that led me to the idea of setting up the Museum of Emigration.”
Thank you Martin for your amazing work
We had an incredible time with Martin Javor and adored his passion for preserving it for future generations. We can’t wait to bring here our small groups of US & Canadian travelers.
Ďakujeme krásne a do skorého videnia! Thank you very much and see you soon!
ADD TO YOUR VISIT FAMOUS TOKAJ WINE REGION
We continued to visit the Tokaj wine region, about a 45min drive westwards, where we had a tasty lunch followed by tasting famous Tokaj wines. It was a great experience.
Note:
Make a reservation (recommended at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival).
Get the most out of the visit – book a dinner (roasted duck, red cabbage and dumplings).
Wine tasting – choose between 6, 10 and 15 samples.
You’ll fall in love with the peaceful Tokaj region, their wines, wine cellars and vineyards.
We regularly visit these wineries J&J Ostrozovic, Macik, Grand Bari
Museum of Kassigarda
The easiest way is to drive from Kosice city (Presov and / or Bardejov)
Address: Museum of Emigration, Ťahyňská 915/36, 072 14 Pavlovce nad Uhom-Ťahyňa, Slovakia
Phone: +421915878924, More info: Kasigarda
COME, JOIN US AND ENJOY
This summer 2025 we organize a tour for US travelers where we will be visiting the Museum of Kasigarda and Tokaj wine region with wine tasting)
Tour: Slovak Ancestry Tour
Tour type: small group (18-20 US/Canadian travelers)
When: May 13-20, 2025
Tour directors: Michal Razus (genealogist and tour guide) and Peter Blazicek (tour guide)
Private tour suits you better?
Would you like to plan a private ancestry tour and visit Museum Kasigarda and Tokaj?
We’re ready to help you.
Write us at contact@bestslovakiatours.com
Peter, founder & CEO of Best Slovakia Tours
