Polish
American Museum - Center for Military
Studies Annex - Port Washington
Nassau County
Long Island New York
The Polish American Museum founded on
January 20, 1977 features and displays of
folk art, costumes, historical artifacts and
paintings, as well as bilingual research
library with particular focus on
achievements of the people of Polish
heritage in America and is located in Port
Washington, Nassau County, Long Island, New
York.
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Polish
American Museum
Center for Military Studies Annex
The Polish American Museum founded on
January 20, 1977 features and displays of
folk art, costumes, historical artifacts and
paintings, as well as bilingual research
library with particular focus on
achievements of the people of Polish
heritage in America.
Nearly everything in the museum, which is
housed at the old Port Washington library,
was donated by members of the community:
from the war memorabilia, army uniforms,
Polish medals and weapons, to the books
about Poland in both English and Polish.
Barbara Szydlowski, president of the museum,
remarked that many Polish immigrants made
their way to Nassau County about a century
ago to work in North Shore estates, but
their descendants are dispersed. "We're
trying to do more on the history of Poles on
Long Island," she said, "but it's very hard
because the population is so scattered."
The Museum puts a strong emphasis on famous
people of Polish ancestry with a portrait of
Pope John Paul II displayed prominently
along with that of Tadeusz Kos'ciuszko
wearing the uniform of Brigadier General of
the American Revolutionary Army, and
Kazimierz Pu?aski as General Commander of
the Cavalry under George Washington. There
is a room dedicated to Polish Nobel Prize
laureates including Marie Curie and Lech
Walesa. In the music room there are plaster
replicas of Frédéric Chopin's death mask and
of his left hand, brought in from Warsaw by
a museum member. One of the most poignant
items on display is the blue-and-white
striped jacket of a concentration-camp
inmate, a Polish prisoner who was held by
the Germans in World War II, donated by a
patron who survived as many as seven
different camps in 1944–1945, which is now a
part of the Holocaust exhibit.
Archival holdings of the Museum include
artifacts related to the history of Poland
and Polish American community such as the
extensive Henry Archacki Archive and the
collection of Polish-American art (ca.
1900–1990). Research materials concerning
Polish history and culture include records
of Polish American participation in the
American Civil War, historical writings and
notes, photographs, personal letters, audio
and video tapes, clippings, newsletters,
directories and certificates. Materials
about Polish-American organizations feature
documents from Polish National Alliance,
Polish Roman Catholic Union of America,
Polish Falcons of America, and information
on Polish press published in the United
States, not to mention the correspondence
between many Polish-American writers,
painters, sculptors, photographers,
historians, and military officers. Quantity:
ca. 50 cu ft (1.4 m3).
Museum holdings include also old maps, as
well as the library and the collection of
artifacts from the Polish Institute of Arts
and Sciences of America about the lives of
people of Polish heritage. Original
photographic and lithographic displays, at
the reading room, are held during special
events throughout the year. The Polish
American Museum is a unique educational
resource designed to familiarize its
visitors with the culture and folk heritage
of the Polish people. It aspires to
illustrate the contributions of people of
Polish heritage not only to America, but
also to humanity.
Hours
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Polish
American Museum
Center for Military Studies Annex
16 Belleview Avenue
Port Washington, NY 11050
516-883-6542
www.polishamericanmuseum.com
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