PA Museum's 35th Anniversary

Port Washington N.Y. .. Representatives of various Polish American organizations attended the special reception held at the Polish American Museum marking the 35th anniversary of its establishment in 1977.

Among the guests participating in the observance was the Downstate N.Y. Division of the Polish American Congress.  President Frank Milewski and Vice President Chet Szarejko congratulated museum president Barbara Szydlowski and her staff for their accomplishment in developing the museum into the prominence this ethnic institution now enjoys.
 
“The imagination and the foresight of several concerned Polish Americans launched the Polish American Museum in 1977.  And the dedication and hard work of many patriotic volunteers over the following 35 years helped the museum become an institution of which Long Island’s Polish Americans can be proud,” said Szarejko.
 
The generosity of many donors helped the museum acquire additional artifacts and expand its exhibits. One of them came as a gift from Szarejko himself.
 
It was the original Certificate of Incorporation of what likely had been Long Island’s first Polish American political club. It was signed in 1927 by Robert Moses, the legendary city planner and highway builder who was New York’s Secretary of State at that time.
 
The Polish American Museum has become a unique educational resource that brings the culture and folk heritage of the Polish people to others. It contains documents, artifacts, paintings, and exhibits that illustrate the important achievements by people of Polish heritage. It highlights their contributions to the fields of medicine, education, art, science and politics.
 

Shown here are (left to right): Chet Szarejko and Frank Milewski of the Downstate NY Division of the Polish American Congress as they  congratulate Polish American Museum officers Steve Szachacz and Wilma Wierbicki for their many years of devoted volunteer work on behalf of the museum. The museum celebrated its 35th anniversary at a special reception held on its premises in Port Washington.

Visitors to the museum will learn about the lives of people such as Generals Pulaski and Kosciuszko, Marie Sklodowska-Curie, Ignacy Paderewski and others. Important events in history like the Christianization of Poland in 966 are also featured.
 
Paintings and drawings by Polish artists depict Polish writers, political and patriotic leaders, and generals and soldiers who dedicated their lives to helping Poland, America and other countries gain and keep their independence.
 
Throughout the year, the museum sponsors a variety of family events and activities such as art expositions, auctions, stamp and coin exhibits, concerts and recitals, lectures, field trips and more.
 
Contact: Frank Milewski
             (516) 352-7125
             pacdny@verizson.net