Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Part 796 – Victor J. Hubal Sr. and the Česko-Slovanský Podporující Spolek (C.S.P.S.) Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota

In 1917, Victor J. Hubal painted stock scenery for the C.S.P.S. Hall at 383 Michigan Street, St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to a drop curtain depicting Praha (Prague), there were roll drops, wings, and set pieces. The settings included street scenes, landscapes, woodlands, rustic interiors and fancy interiors. The interior box sets had interchangeable flats, being double-painted to provide endless variety for a number of shows.  Theatre was an integral part of the Minnesota Czech community. A third floor was added to the 1887 building in 1917, featuring a stage and auditorium/gymnasium. The auditorium/gymnasium is still primarily used for gymnastics and general physical fitness; this is part of the Sokol mission “a sound mind in a healthy body.” On the stage, Czech plays continued to be performed, preserving the language and heritage of this immigrant community. 

As the Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota website states, “Vítejte! Welcome! Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota is affiliated with American Sokol, Western District, which grew out of an international movement founded in Prague in 1862 by Dr. Miroslav Tyrš. There are Sokol units and chapters around the world, with the founding chapters still located in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Our unit was formed in 1882, and we are a social, cultural, educational and gymnastic organization. Through our many social activities and educational programs, we seek to preserve and transmit the vitality of our Czech, Slovak and immigrant heritage to future generations.

“The historic Česko-Slovanský Podporující Spolek (C.S.P.S.) Hall at 383 Michigan Street in the West Seventh neighborhoods of Saint Paul has been our home since 1879, and the focal point for our activities in Saint Paul since the current building was built in 1887. It was declared a National and State Historic Site in 1977, placed on the National Register of Historic Sites, and is the longest serving Czech-Slovak cultural center in the United States, and oldest fitness center, theater and immigrant national hall in the State of Minnesota. Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota welcomes all who share an interest in history, culture, gymnastics and good fellowship. You need not be Czech or Slovak to be a member. For more information on Sokol origins, please visit www.american-sokol.org/history/.”

Hubal and his family were members when he painted the beautiful roll drops for the C.S.P.S, Hall. Over the decades, many of the drops fell into a state of disrepair from constant use. During the 1990s, I restored Hubel’s roll drops, and have periodically returned over the years to repair any new damages, meeting new people and establishing new friendships each time. I even joined the organization a few years back and took some Czech language classes. Before I restored the roll drops, however, Lance Brockman, Scott Brummond, Matthew Meilke and Tom Thatcher restrung the lines during 1985. At the time, it was Victor J. Hubel, Jr. who represented the Executive Board at Sokol Minnesota, and send a note of appreciation for this work.

The Hubal scenery collection is loved by members for its connection to the past and to a country than many members will never visit. The drops always make an appearance at social activities, concerts and plays. However, as with many stewards of historic backdrop collections, it is difficult many members to understand the historical significance of these painted scenes. When the perception of historic backdrops is reduced to old backings, they are handled differently. If they are perceived as being replaceable, this adds another layer of complexity to attempts at preservation for the long term. In regard to Hubal’s legacy, gymnastics equipment constantly comes in contact with the delicate fabric of wings. The edges of roll drops fray as performers brush by during set-up and teardown of a band. Cups of beer are tipped over during musical performances, damaging the fabric and wood on the bottom roller. This is a similar scenario across the country in Czech halls, as the well-loved scenery is treated as stage scenery and not large-scale artworks created by nationally recognized artists.

This is not to say that there drops are uncared for, as there is often always at least one person who takes responsibility in any historic venue, defending a scenery collection against potential threats. These are the individuals who constantly attend board meetings and remind members about the significance of their historic scenery. They also show up to rescue scenery when a pipe bursts, a roof leaks, or a renter damages a particular scene.  I met the current defender of Hubal’s 1917 scenery over a decade ago. He was the older brother of a university alum, Steve Draheim. Chuck Draheim is now the ardent defender of Hubal’s painted legacy in St. Paul. His heroism goes unsung, and I am sure he may often be perceived as an annoyance at board meetings, yet the scenery continues to survive because of his efforts. Chuck and I met after Steve passed along my contact information; some of the restored scenery needed repair.

The struggle that Draheim encountered in St. Paul happens all across the country. There are things to consider when pondering the value and cultural significance of historic scenery, such as that painted by Hubal. For example, one artist produced the scenery at the Czech Hall in St. Paul; this is a remarkable find in its own right added artistic provenance to the collection. Many scenery collections had multiple hands creating the various scenes with most remaining unidentified. When an installation produced by a single individual remains intact, it is unusual. When that person has a long and successful career, integrally linked to a variety of nationally significant productions, the artistic provenance is again increased.  Hubal was very important in the scope of American Theatre, as well as Minnesota Theatre and this may some of his last extant stage work. Although scenery can last for decades, even centuries, the eventual deterioration is based on environment and use; both are currently working against Hubal’s painted legacy in St. Paul.

Victor J. Hubal Sr. passed away on Feb. 15, 1972, and is buried at Union Cemetery in Maplewood, Minnesota. This is only thirty minutes away from my home and it may be time to pay my respects to this talented artist who made such a difference in the Minnesota Arts community.

To be continued…