Page 48 - Visit Fayette | 2017 - 2018 Visotors Guide

Visit the Polka Lovers Club

of Texas Museum in La Grange

The Msgr. Joseph M. Hybner Center, parade trophies, proclamations, photos, Joe Patek, Ray Krenek, and the Migl and
an extension of the Polka Lovers Club of and scrapbooks of the PoLK of A? They Baca families. The museum’s music center
Texas Museum (Hoelscher Haus) was are housed in the Polka Lovers Club of features a jukebox stacked with 45 rpm
dedicated on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, fol- Texas Museum in La Grange. The museum recordings of polka greatest hits from bands
lowed by a ribbon cutting and reception. opened in 2006 with a mission to promote throughout the United States, as well as a
Why is the expansion named Jo- and preserve polka music, song and dance, Victrola for spinning 78 rpm and 33 rpm
seph M. Hybner Center? and PoLK of A is a big part of this history. recordings. Visitors can also enjoy videos of
It is because of Fr. Joe’s involvement in The museum is housed in the Hoelscher polka band performances and festivals.
polka music and his generous contributions Haus, a gift donation of a 135-year-old haus,
to the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum. from PoLK of A. members, Esther, and Henry
Fr. Joe was a pastor of a church in Victoria. Hoelscher. The house was moved to the Texas
He became a member of the Polka Lovers Czech Heritage and Cultural Center’s Farm
Club of America (PoL.K. of A) Texas Chapter village located at the Fayette County Fair-
III- a dance Klub. He was very active and grounds in La Grange. On Oct. 19, 2005,
would participate in the Klub’s float in the A total of 109 charter/founder members
town parades. He would even wear a red vest including charter memorials, each donated
to match the Klub uniform, which was red $500 to renovate the haus into a museum.
and white. When he moved to Flatonia to It opened to the public in May 2006.
be pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, he would In addition to PoLK of A history, the
always participate in riding the float in the rooms are filled with photos, instruments,
Czhilispiel parade. Everyone loved him. and memorabilia from Texas polka art-
Ever wonder what happens to all those ists such as Jimmy Brosch, Leo Majek, The Polka Lovers Club Museum.

48 Visit Fayette | Fall/Winter 2017