Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum

Polish Institute and Skorski Museum, main entrance
Formation	2 May 1945
Type	Learned society
Registration no.	312168
Legal status	Registered charity
Purpose	Archival, educational, historical, and museological
Headquarters	20 Prince's Gate, London, SW7 1PT
Services	Research and publications, lectures and events, heritage conservation, and exhibitions
Chairman	Danuta Bildziuk
Head of Archives	Andrzej Suchcitz
Website	www.pism.org.uk

The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum (Polish: Instytut Polski i Muzeum im. Gen. Sikorskiego), also known as the Sikorski Institute, is a special museum and archive in London. It's named after General Władysław Sikorski, an important Polish leader. This place is a top spot for learning about Poland during World War II and the many Poles who live outside Poland (called the Polish diaspora).

It's a non-government organisation run by experts from the Polish community in the UK. You can find it at 20 Prince's Gate in West London. This building is very old and important, facing Hyde Park. In 1988, it joined forces with another group called the Polish Underground Movement (1939–1945) Study Trust.

Why Was the Museum Created?

Władysław Sikorski, a former prime minister of Poland

The museum was started right after World War II ended, on May 2, 1945. Its main goal was to keep alive the memory of the Polish Underground State in Occupied Poland. This was a secret government and army that fought against the invaders during the war. The museum also wanted to remember the Polish government-in-exile (a Polish government that operated from outside Poland) and the Polish armed forces in the West. These forces played a big part in winning World War II.

At that time, Poland came under communist rule, which made it very hard for many Polish soldiers and civilians to go home. A large part of Poland was given to the Soviet Union after the Yalta Accords. The museum became a safe place to keep Polish history, especially topics that were not allowed or were changed in communist Poland.

What Does the Museum Do?

The institute has collected many important historical items. These include stories from people who lived through the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, official papers, army flags, military medals, uniforms, and artworks. It also has a large library and many personal items that belonged to Polish leaders, diplomats, and everyday people.

The museum has an amazing collection of over 5,000 films and photos. These were made digital in 2005–2006, so they can be used for exhibitions and learning in Poland. Around 2006, the museum also found 2,000 photos taken by Jan Markiewicz. These pictures show the early Polish community in South London in the 1950s.

The Polish Underground Movement Study Trust

General Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski, a leader of the Polish Underground

The Polish Underground Movement (1939–1945) Study Trust (known as the Studium) was started in 1948. It was founded by a group of war veterans, including General Tadeusz Bór-Komorowski. This group joined with the main institute in 1988. Even though it became part of the institute, it still has its own freedom to do research and publish books from its base in Ealing.

How the Museum is Run

The Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum is organised into several different parts:

• Archives: Where old documents and records are kept.
• Museum: This includes the Photographic Archive, Film Archive, and Sound Archive.
• Reference Library: A place for research and reading.
• Administration: Handles the daily running of the museum.
• Publications: Manages books and other materials the museum publishes.
• Regimental Colours Fund: Helps preserve military flags.

The museum is guided by a Council. This Council chooses an Executive Committee from its members. This committee then manages the museum's daily activities. The Chairman leads both the Council and the Executive Committee. People can become members in different ways, including honorary members, full members, life members (by donating money), and annual members.

Count Edward Raczyński, a former Polish Ambassador

Since it began, the institute has had several chairmen. The current chairman is Danuta Bildzuik.

See also

• History of Poland (1939–45)
• Polish government in exile
• Poles in the United Kingdom
• Polish Library in Paris
• Polish Museum, Rapperswil
• Institute of National Remembrance

Gallery

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  A turret gun from a Polish 7TP light tank which was used against the invading Germans in September 1939. It was later employed by the Germans in France and recovered during the allied invasion of western Europe in 1944.

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  A memorial to the Polish pilots who fought in World War 2

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  An exhibit about the Polish contribution to the Battle of Britain

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  Remains of the 178th German plane shot down by the Polish 303 squadron during the Battle of Britain

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  A memorial to the thousands of Polish men, women and children deported and starved to death on Russian soil during and after World War 2

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  A report commending the actions of the Polish destroyer Piorun ("Thunderbolt") prior to the sinking of the Bismarck

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  Original manuscripts by Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz

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  Regimental colours

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  The Władysław Anders room

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  A bust of Władysław Anders

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  A souvenir from the Battle of Monte Cassino

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  A sculpture of Wojtek the soldier bear by David Harding

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  A plaque commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising and Operation Tempest

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  A bust of Jan Sobieski

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  A Polish hussar helmet from the 17th century

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  The emblem of the 1st Polish Armoured Division