From The Peopling of New York City

Considering the relatively large proportion of Polish that have settled in New York, there are surprisingly few cultural institutions for the Polish population there. Most of the institutions are located in Chicago, the "Polish Capital" of America. Most of the cultural institutions in New York take the form of printed media, such as Polish language Newspapers. Popular topics of Polish newspapers include the promotion of assorted regional Polish organizations and activities they engage in.These periodicals often aim to elevate the Polish community and increase American understanding of Polish culture and history.

Kosciuszko Foundation

Founded in 1925, the Kosciuszko Foundation is dedicated to promoting and strengthening understanding and friendship between the peoples of Poland and the United States through educational, scientific, and cultural exchanges and other related programs and activities. It awards fellowships and grants to graduate students, scholars, scientists, professionals, and artists and helps to increase the visibility and prestige of Polish culture in America’s pluralistic society by sponsoring exhibits, publications, film festivals, performing arts such as concerts and recitals, and assists other institutions with similar goals.

Other Polish Cultural Resources Include:

Glos. Polish-language newspaper. Contact: Andrzej Dobrowolski, Editor. Address: 140 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11222.

New Horizon: Polish American Review. Contains items of interest to the Polish community. Contact: B. Wierzbianski, Editor. Address: 333 West 38th Street, New York, New York 10018-2914. Telephone: (212) 354-0490.

Nowy Dziennik/Polish Daily News. Polish-language newspaper. Contact: Boleslaw Wierzbianski, Editor. Address: 333 West 38th Street, New York, New York 10018-2914. Telephone: (212) 594-2266. Fax: (212) 594-2383 E-mail: listy@dziennik.com or deptula@dziennik.com.

Scholarly journal of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America devoted to the study of Polish history and culture. Contact: Joseph W. Wieczerzak, Editor. Address: 208 East 30th Street, New York, New York 10016. Telephone: (212) 686-4164. Fax: (212) 545-1130.

American Institute of Polish Culture (AIPC).

Furthers knowledge of and appreciation for the history, science, art, and culture of Poland.

Contact: Blanka A. Rosenstiel, President. Address: 1440 79th Street Causeway, Suite 117, Miami, Florida 33141. Telephone: (305) 864-2349. Fax: (305) 865-5150.

Polish American Congress (PAC).

Umbrella organization for local and national Polish organizations in the United States with more than three million combined members. Promotes improved quality of life for Polish Americans and people in Poland.

Contact: Eugene Rosypal, Executive Director. Address: 5711 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60646-6215. Telephone: (773) 763-9944. Fax: (773) 763-7114. E-mail: pacchgo@mindspring.com. Online: http://www.polamcon.org.

Polish American Historical Association (PAHA).

Concerned with Polish Americana and the history of Poles in the United States.

Address: 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622. Telephone: (773) 384-3352. Fax: (773) 384-3799.

Polish Falcons of America.

Founded in 1887, the Polish Falcons have a membership of 31,000 in 143 groups or "nests." Established as a fraternal benefit insurance society for people of Polish or Slavic descent, the Falcons also took on a strong nationalist sentiment, demanding a free Poland. The society promotes athletic and educational events and provides a scholarship fund for those majoring in physical education. The Falcons also publish a bi-monthly publication in Polish, Sokol Polski.

Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA).

Promotes Polish genealogical study and establishes communication among researchers.

Polish National Alliance of the United States (PNA).

Founded in 1880, the PNA has a membership of 286,000 made up of nearly 1,000 regional groups. Originally founded as a fraternal life insurance society, PNA continues this original role while also sponsoring education and cultural affairs. It maintains a library of 14,000 volumes.

Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.

Founded in 1873, the Roman Catholic Union has a membership of 90,000 in 529 groups. Founded as a fraternal benefit life insurance society, the union sponsors sports and youth activities, and conducts language school as well as dance and children's programs. It also has a library of 25,000 volumes.

Polish Surname Network (PSN).

Collects and disseminates genealogical information on surnames of Polish heritage. Provides fee-based research, research analysis, and translation services.

Polish Union of the United States.

Founded in 1890, the Polish Union has a membership of 12,000 in 100 groups. This fraternal benefit life insurance society bestows the Copernicus Award to a student excelling in astronomy. Publishes the monthly Polish American Journal.

Polish Women's Alliance of America.

Founded in 1898, the Polish Women's Alliance has a membership of 65,000 in 775 groups or chapters. It is a fraternal benefit life insurance society administered by women and maintains a library of 7,500 volumes on Polish and American culture and history.

MUSEUMS AND RESEARCH CENTERS Many public libraries, including the Los Angeles Public Library, New York Public Library/Donnell Library Center, Boston Public Library, Denver Public Library, Miami/Dade Public Library, and the Detroit Public Library, have extensive Polish language collections to serve the Polish American communities.

American Institute for Polish Culture.

Founded in 1972 to promote the appreciation for history, culture, science and art of Poland, the American Institute for Polish Culture sponsors exhibits, lectures, and research and maintains a 1,200-volume library and publishes books on history and biography.

Contact: Blank A. Rosenstiel, President. Address: 1440 79th Street, Causeway, Suite 403, Miami, Florida 33141. Telephone: (305) 864-2349.

Center for Polish Studies and Culture.

Founded in 1970 at St. Mary's College, the Center for Polish Studies promotes research in the teaching of Polish and arranges educational exchanges. It also maintains a library, art gallery, and a museum of artifacts from Polish Americans.

Contact: Janusz Wrobel. Address: St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake, Michigan 48034. Telephone: (810) 682-1885.

Kosciuszko Foundation.

Founded in 1925, the Kosciuszko Foundation is named after the Polish nobleman who fought in the American revolution. The foundation is a clearing-house for information on Polish and American cultural affairs. Also known as the American Center for Polish Culture, the foundation has a reference library and arranges educational exchanges as well as administers scholarships and stipends.

Contact: Joseph E. Gore, President. Address: 15 East 65th Street, New York, New York 10021. Telephone: (212) 734-2130.

Polish Museum of America.

Founded in 1937, the Polish Museum preserves artifacts of the Polish American experience and mounts displays of costumes, religious artifacts and Polish art. It also maintains a 25,000-volume library for researchers and the Polish American Historical Association which is concerned with the history of Poles in America.

Contact: Dr. Christoph Kamyszew, Director and Curator. Address: 984 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60622.

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