Polish American Museum facts for kids

A painting of Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746–1817) at the Polish American Museum

The Polish American Museum is a special place in Port Washington, New York, USA. It opened its doors on January 20, 1977. This museum shows off amazing Polish folk art, traditional clothes, old items, and paintings.

It also has a library with books in both English and Polish. This library focuses on the great things people of Polish heritage have done in America.

Most of the items in the museum were given by people in the community. These include old war items, army uniforms, Polish medals, and weapons. There are also many books about Poland.

Barbara Szydlowski, the museum's president, shared that many Polish immigrants came to Nassau County a long time ago. They worked on large estates. However, their families are now spread out. The museum is trying to learn more about Poles on Long Island, but it's hard because people live in so many different places.

Exploring the Museum's Collections

The museum highlights famous people from Poland. You can see a portrait of Pope John Paul II. There's also a painting of Tadeusz Kościuszko. He was a Brigadier General in the American Revolutionary Army.

Another painting shows Kazimierz Pułaski. He was a General who led the cavalry for George Washington. These brave leaders helped shape history.

Honoring Polish Achievers

One room is dedicated to Polish people who won the Nobel Prize. This is a very important award. Famous winners like Marie Curie and Lech Wałęsa are featured here.

In the music room, you can see plaster copies of Frédéric Chopin's death mask and his left hand. These were brought from Warsaw. Chopin was a very famous composer.

One powerful item on display is a blue-and-white striped jacket. It belonged to a Polish prisoner during World War II. This person survived many difficult times. The jacket is part of the museum's exhibit about the Holocaust.

Military Stories at the CMS Annex

The museum has a special part called the CMS Annex. CMS stands for Center for Military Studies. This annex tells the military stories of Poles and Polish Americans. They took part in many wars that shaped both US and Polish history.

One featured hero is Frank Gabreski from Long Island. He was a top American pilot in Europe during World War II. The current director of the museum is Gerald Kochan.

Museum Archives: A Look into the Past

A painting of Kazimierz Pułaski at the museum

The museum keeps many old and important items in its archives. These items tell the story of Poland and the Polish American community. For example, there's a large collection from Henry Archacki. There's also Polish-American art from the 1900s to the 1990s.

The archives have materials about Polish history and culture. This includes records of Polish Americans in the American Civil War. You can find historical writings, notes, and old photographs. There are also personal letters, audio and video tapes, and old newspaper clippings.

You can also find information about Polish-American groups. These include documents from the Polish National Alliance and the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. There is also information about Polish newspapers printed in the United States. The archives even hold letters between many Polish-American artists, writers, and military officers.

The museum also has old maps. It has a library and a collection of items from the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America. These items show the lives of people with Polish heritage. The museum often holds special events in its reading room. During these events, they display original photos and prints.

The Polish American Museum is a great place to learn. It helps visitors understand the culture and traditions of the Polish people. It also shows how people of Polish heritage have helped America and the world.

See also

Related reading

• "Jamestown Colony: A Political, Social, and Cultural History (2007)"
• "Jamestown Pioneers from Poland, 1608-1958 (1958)"
• "Poles in the United States (1912)"