Saline State Bank was founded in 1878 and is the oldest bank in Saline County. In February of 1962, four Wilber citizens met and decided to form a statewide Czech organization to preserve Czech cultures. Articles of incorportation, by-laws and a seal were approved and adopted on April 7, 1962. The emblem or seal consists of a plow and a sheaf of wheat, representative of the strength and fortitude of the early Czech pioneers and their ethnic neighbors, who turned this praire land into a fruitful civilization, dependent mainly on agriculture for existence. Some of the objectives of the organization were to preserve the culture, music, foods, customs, costumes and heritage by holding a festival, program or some activity.
Gather artifacts and develop a museum.
Gather recipes of our mothers into books and teach future generations their heritage. Wilber meets these objectives by hosting an annual Czech Festival the first full weekend in August, and will have 30,000 to 40,000 visitors. After the parade a unique Still Life Czech Historical Pageant is held at the outdoor theatre and dancing at the Hotel Beer Garden. Saturday dawns bright and clear. The merchants have decorated their windows and the streets are decorated.