Collections : [Central Connecticut State University]

The Ludwik and Juliana Trzcinski Collection consists of materials reflecting their lives in New Britain, Connecticut. The Trzcinski's were first generation of Polish immigrants. They actively participated in the Sacred Heart parish and school. Family members belonged to various religious societies and veterans' organizations. Items in collection range in dates from the 1890's all the way to the 1980's. There are many family and professional photographs of family gatherings, weddings, first communions, and other church related events.

Walter and Florence Lasinski were historians of the Polish National Catholic Church (PNCC) and Polish American life. They resided in New Jersey and were members of the PNCC, a reformed Roman Catholic Church started by Francis Hodur in 1897 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The collection includes extensive information about parishes (past and present) and clergy members in the PNCC from its creation.

This collection includes letters written in Polish to members of the Gromko family, along with genealogical documents, marriage and death certificates, and family photographs. The letters provide insight into life in Poland during and after World War II, offering a vivid portrayal of family experiences and everyday challenges.

This collection contains documents and objects from the life and career of Henry J. Gwiazda and his family. Gwiazda was a former Mayor of New Britain, Judge of Probate, and considered a leader in New Britain's Polonia. Collection includes papers and documents on the Gwiazda and Cieszynski families, including Dr. Genevieve Cieszynski, as well as information on local New Britain politics. Also includes books from Henry J. Gwiazda's collection, awarded plaques, scrapbooks, a campaign poster, and a typewriter featuring letters from the Polish alphabet.

The Karpinski and Sadoski family collection consists of family photographs taken at the beginning of the century. It illustrates the life of Polish immigrants in New Britain and surrounding towns.

The collection of Joseph G. V. Maciora, alumni of CCSU, consists of genealogical work done by Mr. Maciora about both sides of his family (Mik and Maciora). Most of the documents are written by Mr. Maciora either from memory or oral histories of his parents, Mary Agnes (Mik) Maciora and Joseph George Maciora. There are some correspondences, prayer cards, and church programs. It also includes some general information on Poland and Polish Americans in Meriden and New Britain, CT.

Msgr. Stanislaus Musiel was born in Poland and attended seminary in Louvain, Belgium. He was later appointed for pastoral work in the Hartford diocese in Connecticut. He was a pastor at St. Cyril and Methodius parish in Hartford from 1917 till his death in 1966. Material in the collection illustrates Msgr. Musiel's appointments in various parishes in Connecticut and decades of pastoral work in SS. Cyril and Methodius parish in Hartford. Collection consists of correspondence, publications, and photographs related to Msgr. Musiel. A substantial part of the collection's material relates to Msgr. Musiel's relatives from the Kazowski and Boniarczyk families.

Waclaw Graczewski, a first generation immigrant from Poland, came to the U.S. at the turn of the century. He was active in many social organizations established by Polish immigrants in Thompsonville, Connecticut. The collection consists of constitutions, by-laws and dues paid to these organizations.

Msgr. Alphonse A. Skoniecki was born in Poland in 1884. He attended seminary in Louvain, Belgium and was ordained a priest in 1917 in the US. During WWI he supported recruitment efforts for the Polish Army in France. Skoniecki served in several parishes in Massachusetts and was named pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Turners Fall, MA in 1925, a parish he would lead for 23 years. He was instrumental in expanding the parish and was active in many religious and secular organizations that promoted and served the Polish cause. He wrote to many local newspapers. His work and contributions were recognized by Poland's government-in-exile and in 1954 he received the honorary title of colonel in the Polish Army and was decorated with the Haller's Swords medal and the Gold Cross of Merit from the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. The collection consists of extensive correspondence, seminary notes, sermons, and writings of Msgr. Skoniecki.

Collection consists of personal papers of Mr. Bronislaw Krzyzewski, a World War I veteran of the Polish Army under General Jozef Haller in France and later in Poland.

Adam T. Raczkowski, a World War I veteran of the American army, was gassed by Germans in France in 1918. He received the Purple Heart 65 years later. Mr. Raczkowski was active in the Polish Falcons in Southington, CT and participated in their numerous sports events. Collection includes a unique photo from a Falcon's field Day in Meriden CT in 1915.

Material in this collection relates to Sacred Heart church, the oldest Polish American parish in New Britain Connecticut, established in 1894. It was an ethnic parish lead by the very powerful Monsignor Lucyan Bojnowski who was was a very influential figure not only for parishioners' lives but the entire town. Paul Wysocki, served as pastor of the parish during the years 1977-2003. These years were very important to the ethnic parish. In the 1980's a new wave of political immigrants came to the city from Poland (a result of Solidarity immigration) and wanted to participate and to receive services they were used to in Poland. However, some actions created frictions between the old and the new Polonia. There were questions of church financial contributions, ownership of the church, and who should make or advice pastors on changes within the parish. This collection concentrates on the post Solidarity immigrants and controversies within the church from the 1980's till mid 1990's.

The Polish National Home of Hartford (PNH) traces its roots to the Polish Catholic church of SS. Cyril and Methodius parish in Hartford, Connecticut. As Polish immigrants continued to arrive, a larger church was needed, and so a new church was built in 1917. That same year, a group of Polish immigrants came together and organized the Polish National Corporation (PNC), and bought the old SS. Cyril and Methodius building. They used it as a social hall, remodeled it, and renamed it to White Eagle Hall. After years of growth, White Eagle Hall was no longer sufficient for the needs of the community, and so it was decided by the PNC to purchase a parcel of land, in order to construct a new building to meet their growing needs. These efforts culminated in 1929 when funds were raised and construction began, and a year later in 1930, construction of the building was completed. In 1929, the name of the organization was changed from Polish National Corporation to Polish National Home of Hartford, Inc. The PNH promoted Polish culture and hosted numerous activities and events over its many decades in operation in support of this goal. It also served as a gathering place for Polish-Americans and numerous Polish-American organizations held their meetings at the PNH. The PNH engaged in various charitable acts during its many years in operation. Their scholarship program was very important and promoted, The Polish National Home Founders' Scholarship, which gave numerous scholarships to students of Polish descent. After decade of prosperity, the organization experienced financial difficulties, as well as declining membership, as a result the PNH was sold on December 30, 2022. Although the building was sold, the PNH as an organization still exists.

The collection consists of correspondence between Roman Galinski, who immigrated to the U.S. in 1922, and other prominent political figures in Poland, who were sympathizers of Narodowa Demokracja, the nationalist Polish political party. Mr. Galinski was himself very active in various political organizations and wrote extensively on the issue of Polish politics and nationalism, sometimes under the pseudonym Miroslaw Kosinski. He was a great opponent of Jozef Pilsudski and his political party and was devoted to Roman Dmowski and his political views of Narodowa Demokracja. The collection includes photographs of local Polish American prominent figures, as well as a dozen or so antisemitic publications from pre-war Poland.

The collection consists of correspondence between Roman Galinski, who lived in the US since 1922, and other prominent political figures in Poland, who were sympathizers of Narodowa Demokracja, the Polish political party of nationalistic character. Mr. Galinski was himself very active in various political organizations and wrote extensively on the issue of Polish politics and nationalism, sometimes under a pseudonym Miroslaw Kosinski. He was a great opponent of Jozef Pilsudski and his political party, and on the other hand vas devoted to Roman Dmowski and his political views of Narodowa Demokracja. Collection includes photographs of local Polish American prominent figures. The collection contains a dozen or so anti-semitic publications from pre-war Poland.

Collection consists of two post cards/photographs, which were sent to Mr. Lewis E. Pierson to New York City from Poland in 1921, and a letter informing Mr. Pierson of his nomination to become an honorary member of the Kosciuszko Squadron for his financial support. Included in the collection is the original emblem of the squadron.

Andrew J. Beck, also known as Andrzej Beck, was an engineering executive who worked in several American engineering companies, where he was responsible for the Eastern European trade during the Cold War years. Beck was born in Poland and was 13 years old when World War II began. He left the country with his mother, Maria Slominska, at the end of September 1939, escaping the Germans and Russians. He is the only son of Jozef Beck, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs before WWII. The collection consists of memoirs written by Andrzej Beck for his family, and a DVD of a TVN Polish television production about Jozef Beck. A CD includes interviews with Andrzej Beck and people who were close to his father, Mr. Jozef Beck, during WWII. Andrzej Beck passed away on July 20, 2011, in Fairfield, CT.

Lottie Pozniak (Kaminski) was born in Hartford, Connecticut to the first generation of Polish Americans. She was very active in many Polish American cultural organizations. During World War II she participated in selling war bonds and organized many events to benefit troops. After the war she became a participant and promoter of Polish history and culture. She received many awards and recognitions for her work. The collection richly illustrates with printed and visual material Mrs. Pozniak's activities and the Polish American community in Connecticut.

The Monsignor John P. Wodarski collection is unique in terms of portraying and documenting activities of an ethnic Polish American parish and material related to the history of the Catholic Church and the history of Poland. Msgr. John P. Wodarski was a pastor at the Holy Cross Church in New Britain, Connecticut for several decades. Msgr. Wodarski was a very innovative priest who applied his ideas into educating the local community and always looked for ways to promote mutual understanding among other ethnic and religious groups. He was a great supporter of the Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University where he served on the advisory board for many years. The collection includes documentation of the celebration of Poland's Millennium in 1966 and a visit by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla from communist Poland to the US in 1969. Cardinal Wojtyla later became Pope John Paul II.

The Polish American Historical Association (PAHA) was established in 1942 to promote the study of immigration of Poles to the United States. For the first presidents of the organization, it was important to promote scholarly knowledge of Poles and Polish Americans, collect and preserve information on the topic, and elevate historical research. PAHA attracted many scholars, secular and clergy, in the fields of history and ethnic studies. The organization promoted their mission through the publication of the Polish American Studies journal. The collection consists of material documenting the history of the organization and its various activities. It includes correspondence material from annual meetings and conferences as well as membership and financial data.

The collection of Rev. Eugene A. Solega, native of Hartford, CT, shows the life of a second-generation Polish American priest. Rev. Solega held several pastoral assignments in Connecticut. Throughout his life he was involved with several organizations, religious or not, including several social organizations helping women, young people, and displaced persons from Europe. The collection holds items related to his education and pastoral work, including handwritten notes, photographs, and newspaper articles.

The Loughery Collection consists of materials assembled in writing The Other Side of Silence, Men's Lives and Gay Identities, A Twentieth Century History, New York, Holt, 1999. Collection highlights include: transcriptions of interviews with gay activists as well as "coming out stories"; posters; an extensive collection of playbills for gay themed plays or plays with a gay character performed between the 1950s and 1999; articles from periodicals and newspapers; Gay Comics; typescripts; photographs; extensive material relating to Mr. Loughery's other book: John Sloan: Painter and Rebel, New York, Holt, 1995.

Thaddeus W. Maliszewski a lawyer, military officer, civic leader, was born in Hartford in 1922 and died in 2009. Graduate of Hillyer Junior College (Hartford), Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.) and University of Connecticut Law School. During WWII he served in the Pacific, was a member of the National Guard and Governor's Military Staff, finished his military career in the rank of Brigadier General. He served as a judge for several courts, was very active in the Democratic Party. For many years served in different positions in the Polish American Congress on state and national level. In addition, Maliszewski was active in veterans' organizations, Polish American cultural organizations as well as in political organizations. The collection consists of his personal and professional papers along with information about Poland and Polish American culture.

Mr. and Mrs. Bogucki lived in Philidelphia, PA. They were both educated and very active in many Polish American organizations on the state and national level. In addition to organizing and participating in many events, they supported worthy endeavors related to Polish history, culture, and language.

The Polish American Citizens Club in New Britain, Connecticut was established in 1932. The club was open to people of Polish and Slavic descent and the club's mission was to provide financial support to members in times of sickness. The collection illustrates the club's activities from 1932 till 1973.

Mr. Edmund Liszka was very active in Hartford's Polonia after WWII. He owned a travel agency, hosted a radio program and later a TV program. He sponsored and organized many cultural events related to Poland and Polish history, including bringing artists from Poland. He documented various events with professional photographs and donated them to the archives. Mr. Liszka was recognized for his activism within Polonia with many awards and medals.

This collection spans 70 years of the Polish Arts Club of Chicago, a social club for Americans of Polish descent which focused on bringing attention to the art, literature, music, and culture of Polish Americans. The club is affiliated with the American Council for Polish Culture and contains documents from both organizations as well as clippings and publications related to Polish culture in the United States.

The 44 Club, a social organization for Polish American professionals with university degrees, was established in November 1939. The Club fostered and promoted interest in Polish language, culture, and intellectual advancement among Polish Americans. The main activities of the club were monthly social gatherings at the houses of members and social fundraisers for scholarships for youths of Polish origin. The collection features materials related to the history of the club. This includes constitutions, by laws, minutes, financial data and information about social events. It covers the years from 1939 untill 2000.

Czeslaw Gieniewski's papers include a family history going back to the January Uprising of 1863, through participation in the Pilsudski legions and regaining of Poland's independence on November 11, 1918, and the Bolshevik War 1919-1921. Mr. Gieniewski describes his and his family's deportation to Russia and enlistment to the Polish Army, which was formed in the USSR, after a political pact made between the Polish government and Jozef Stalin was signed in June of 1941. General Wladyslaw Anders was in command of the Polish Army on Russian territory. Mr. Gieniewski participated in the battles in Italy in 1944 and 1945, including the famous battle of Monte Cassino. He immigrated to the US and participated in veterans' affairs and was active in the Polish American community in New Jersey, where he still lives with his family.

Mieczyslaw [Michael] Kierklo was born in Poland. He attended school and work there until the outbreak of WWII. In 1940 he was arrested by Russians and sent to Workuta, a labor camp. In 1942, after he was freed, he joined the newly established Polish Army in the USSR and left Russia with General Andres. He fought with them until the end of the war. In 1954 he immigrated to the US and established his life in Connecticut. He became very involved with various Polish and Polish American organizations. Soon his writing talent was used for various occasions. He wrote to a publication called "Weteran" about his war experience and wrote about Polonia activities and events to the Polish daily Nowy Dziennik. He also wrote short poems to celebrate the lives and activities of organizations and individuals.

American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) is one of the oldest Polish American cultural organizations. Beginning in 1948, and still existing today, the ACPC serves as a national umbrella organization for many local cultural clubs and organizations. The ACPC collection chronicles a wide range of the organization's activities. It illustrates the beginning, changes, and development of the organization supported with extensive correspondence, minutes, reports, and annual conventions materials.

The collection consists of personal papers of Stefan Wawrowski, a prisoner of Dachau concentration camp, who immigrated to the United States in 1950. Mr. Wawrowski settled in Hartford, Connecticut and was active in many Polish American political and cultural organizations. The collection is enriched by many photographs from the Dachau concentration camp after libration in 1945 and from Displaced Person camp where Mr. Wawrowski stayed and worked in the camp administration until he received a refugee status and was allowed to immigrate to the United States. Also family photographs from Poland and photos from various local events are included.

The collection illustrates the history of an immigrant organization for young women of Polish descent devoted to friendship, charitable work, and scholarship. It covers years from 1926 until 1988. It contains correspondence, minutes, and an extensive collection of clippings and photographs.

Jan Wojcik was a prolific writer, essayist, and a dedicated community activist and patriot. Wojcik was born in Russia in 1913, but after the Bolshevik war he returned to Poland in 1921. He lived and was educated in Poland. In 1939 he served on the front as an artillery officer. He was captured by the Germans and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp. After the war ended, he immigrated to Brazil in 1949 and later to the US in 1961. He lived in New Britain and worked in manufacturing and for the Polish cause. He wrote to several Polish and Polish American periodicals and participated in activities of many Polonia organizations. His collection consists of his writings, articles, and books.

This collection contains letters written to Józefa Jakubowska, who immigrated from Poland to the United States in the early 20th century. Written in Polish by her relatives in Poland between 1946 and 1948, the letters are accompanied by photographs of family members.

Alvin O'Konski was a Polish American Congressman from Wisconsin whose political career spanned several decades. O'Konski, a Republican, was known for his anti-communist activities, and was a member of the US Congressional Committee and participated in the Katyn Massacre hearing in Frankfurt, Germany. This collection contains material related to the Katyn massacre hearings and reports.

Collection consists of legal documents of Jan and Elzbieta Merta, who in 1950 immigrated to the U.S. from a displaced persons camp in Germany under the Displaced Persons Act.

John M. Budarz was one of the founders of the Polish Art League of Pittsburgh and held the presidency of the organization twice. Mr. Budarz was also active in the American Council of Polish Cultural Clubs, an umbrella organization for various cultural clubs on the national level. Material in this collection relates to activities of the Polish Arts League of Pittsburgh, information on numerous cultural events, correspondence, and includes publication of their newsletter, Palette.

The Polonia Paderewski Choir is a secular choir of 45 singers that was established in 1952 in New Britain, Connecticut. Over the decades the choir performed during national and international competitions. The material in this collection consists of correspondence, minutes, membership, financial data, and photographs. It covers years 1952-1963, and 1969-2004.

Collection illustrates establishment and years of activities of the Association of Polish Priests of Connecticut (APPC). The association was initially established under the Polish name Zjednoczenie Kaplanow Polskich in 1915. The main mission was to establish a religious association of clergy who shared common ethnic heritage. The association represented the interests of Polish clergy within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, which was almost exclusively run by clergy of the Irish heritage. The APPC was instrumental in organizing the celebration of the Millennium of Polish Christianity in 1966, which was a hallmark of public manifestation of religious and cultural links between Polish Americans and the country of their forefathers. The association made numerous financial contributions to the Catholic Church in Poland and sponsored a major book publication - a biography of Monsignor Bojnowski. In February of 1991 the association became an affiliate member of a national organization - the Polish American Priests Association, which was established in San Antonio, Texas.

Attorney Ryszard Mrotek was born in Lwow, which is in today's Ukraine. He spent the WWII in Warsaw, was arrested during the Warsaw Uprising and send to labor camp in Germany. After liberation he attended high school in Germany, worked as interpreter for the United Nations and moved to the US. He became immigration lawyer and settled in Connecticut. He was very active in local political organizations and served as president of the Polish American Congress, Division of Connecticut. He was also active in other organizations and regularly participated in a theatrical productions of a group called Wiatraki Wyobrazni. This collections consist of records of Polish American Congress as well as some personal records.

Holy Name Athletic Club (HNAC) was established in 1925 by members of the Polish American community in Stamford, Connecticut. HNAC had strong ties with the local Polish American parish, The Holy Name of Jesus Church. The Club received support from the parish and supported many charitable events at the church. The club organized athletic and social events to promote and to preserve activities and customs of Polonia. Material in the collection illustrates activities and membership in the Club through several decades. It also includes photographs from various sporting and social events.

Le-Hi-Ho was established in 1969 in Pennsylvania to be a safe and supportive organization for the GLBTQ community. This collection includes the group's, and other organizations', documents, articles, essays, and advertisements dating from the early 1960's to the late 2000's.

This collection consists of materials that belonged to Magnus Jan Krynski (MJK) of North Carolina. A successful translator, author, educator, and proponent of human rights, Krynski was active in Polish affairs and Polish American politics and culture. A native of Poland, he came to the United States in 1949 and obtained an extensive education which he applied to translate several volumes of Polish poetry into English. He also become chairman of Duke University's Department of Slavic Languages and Literature. There are a plethora of documents relating to his professional life, translating work, and political activity in this collection.

Joseph Kleszczynski was born in Poland in 1928. He completed his primary education in Poland, and as a teenager joined the Polish Underground Army in 1943. With advancement of the Soviet Army in the beginning of 1945, he decided to flee Poland and eventually joined the Polish Army in Italy under General Wladyslaw Anders. With his army unit he left for Great Britain, where he attended college. In 1952, he immigrated to the United States, completed his education and worked for the U.S. Postal Service. He was active in many Polish American organizations and taught Polish language courses in the town of West Hartford, CT. In 2011, he was one of the honorees during the Immigrant Day at the state Capitol in Hartford. He passed away in 2014.

Richard Cardarelli was a celibate gay activist priest living and working in the Hartford Area for most of his career. He co-founded Dignity/Hartford and celebrated mass with the organization. His papers include subject files which he kept for research and reference, as well as several documents pertaining to Dignity/Hartford and other Dignity organizations around the country. Scrapbooks of photos from various events in which he was involved form a good portion of the collection.

Collection consists of records compiled by Joseph L. Zazyczny related to American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC). Mr. Joseph Zazyczny was the ACPC president from 1987-1989. The bulk of the material covers the years 1984-1989. It includes also materials from annual state conventions, as well as extensive correspondence and documentation of the Washington project, which was a major undertaking of the council in 1980's that went well into 1990's. The main goal of the Washington project was to establish ACPC presence in Washington to promote Polish culture on the national and international level. The collection also includes information about affiliated members and their activities.

The Hartford Women's Center (HWC) was organized in October of 1977 to serve women of the city of Hartford. The goal was to create a network of organizations with resources for women. Newsletters and calendars were ways to reach out to the community. The HWC helped to establish the first Hartford Feminist Library in 1979. The collection consists of newsletters, minutes, flyers, photographs and slides and extensive correspondence.

From 1971-1979, Betty Hudson was a Selectwoman for the Town of Madison, CT and a two-term Democratic State Senator representing Connecticut's 33rd District. She continued to work for the state in the field of Human Services under Governors Grasso and O'Neill until 1985. This collection includes materials from her endeavors since 1970, including correspondence, articles, and clippings regarding local, state, and national events, community projects, and legislation pertaining to gender and homosexual rights.

Collection consists of records of the American Council of Polish Culture (ACPC) compiled by Mr. Alfred Bochenek during his active participation in the organization. It covers the time span of 1971 to 1996. The name of the organization changed in 1988 from American Council of Polish Cultural Clubs (ACPCC) to American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC). Within this collection we refer to the organization as ACPCC and ACPC to reflect the change in the name. Extensive correspondence and membership information illustrate activities of the council from 1971 till 1996.