Polish American Cultural Center
The Polish American Cultural Center exists to examine and present ethnic Polish traditions in America. The center helps to link the Polish American community with legal counsel, genealogy help, cultural activism, news, music and religion. Located on Walnut Street, the Polish American Cultural center features a museum and educational segment and also provides space for meetings.
The Polish American Cultural Center was born out of a focus on maintaining and improving the Polish American community. The center was established in the 1980s as a means of promoting and displaying Polish American culture and pride. Prior to that, Polish American activities centered largely around supporting Polish Americans via social services and similar assistance.
The cultural center focuses largely on history and heritage. The museum portion of the center features portraits and information about influential Polish and Polish American individuals throughout history, describing their importance. Visitors seeking a real connection between Poland and America should take note of author Adam Mickiewicz, author of “Pan Tadeusz” (or “Lord Thaddeus”), who lived from 1798-1855. Mickiewicz was involved in politics and held Enlightment ideals similar to those of America’s founders.
The Polish American Cultural Center also commemorates the first settlers from Poland into America. Poles have resided in America for over four centuries now, starting with those who arrived at the Jamestown, Virginia colony. The museum also depicts Polish immigration and the importance of it in building America in the colonial period and beyond. The center also offers a local focus, commemorating the Polish immigrant experience in Philadelphia. Along with immigrants from Ireland, Germany and Lithuania, many Poles’ port of entry was actually Philadelphia (not Ellis Island). The museum offers information about where these new arrivals settled and focuses on the Polish American community and its movement throughout the centuries following.
The Polish American Cultural Center welcomes individuals, tour groups and students. October is a fantastic time to visit the center as the center coordinates Polish American Heritage Month at that time. Tour groups can also view a video about Poland. The center also provides a suggested lesson plan for teachers wishing to educate students about the first Polish Americans.
Posted by Tara M. Clapper
