The Polish Museum In America
The Polish Museum In America
The Poles have long been known as a resilient people, bouncing back from invasions and oppressions, this wonderful museum showcases these wonderful people and their culture and contributions to society.
The Polish Museum of America was established in 1935 as the "Museum and Archives of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America." The first public display area opened to the public in 1937.
Two key events caused the rapid expansion of the Museum's collections. The first originated from the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, New York. The year 1939 marked the 20th anniversary of the Second Republic of Poland and the government of Poland marked that anniversary with a large exhibition at that World's Fair. It would be their last.
Unfortunately, in September of 1939 Poland was invaded and war had gripped Europe. At the close of the World's Fair, it became clear that the Polish exhibits could not return to Poland and their disposition was uncertain. A decision was made that in order to preserve at least a portion of the exhibits the directors of the Museum determined to purchase from the government of Poland nearly three fourths of the exhibits.
Signifigant expansions had to be made to house the purchases but expand they did and what you see today is the result of all that hard work by these visionary people.
The second significant event was the donation to the Museum of the personal possessions of Ignacy Jan Paderewski following his death in June 1941. Both Ignacy Paderewski and his sister, Antonina Paderewska Wilkonska were big supporters and generous sponsors of the Museum. Ignacy had amassed a great collection of culturally important items which were added to the museum's collection.
In present day, the Museum is a recognized resource for materials pertaining to Poland and the Polish-American community. Come see Poland's past, present and future all in one place!
The Poles have long been known as a resilient people, bouncing back from invasions and oppressions, this wonderful museum showcases these wonderful people and their culture and contributions to society.
The Polish Museum of America was established in 1935 as the "Museum and Archives of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America." The first public display area opened to the public in 1937.
Two key events caused the rapid expansion of the Museum's collections. The first originated from the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, New York. The year 1939 marked the 20th anniversary of the Second Republic of Poland and the government of Poland marked that anniversary with a large exhibition at that World's Fair. It would be their last.
Unfortunately, in September of 1939 Poland was invaded and war had gripped Europe. At the close of the World's Fair, it became clear that the Polish exhibits could not return to Poland and their disposition was uncertain. A decision was made that in order to preserve at least a portion of the exhibits the directors of the Museum determined to purchase from the government of Poland nearly three fourths of the exhibits.
Signifigant expansions had to be made to house the purchases but expand they did and what you see today is the result of all that hard work by these visionary people.
The second significant event was the donation to the Museum of the personal possessions of Ignacy Jan Paderewski following his death in June 1941. Both Ignacy Paderewski and his sister, Antonina Paderewska Wilkonska were big supporters and generous sponsors of the Museum. Ignacy had amassed a great collection of culturally important items which were added to the museum's collection.
In present day, the Museum is a recognized resource for materials pertaining to Poland and the Polish-American community. Come see Poland's past, present and future all in one place!
