Collections : [Central Connecticut State University]

William J. Mann is a New York Times-bestselling author of books on Hollywood and the American film industry. This collection contains notes, interviews, and other research materials gathered by the author.

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.

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.

Victor D'Lugin was an activist for gay rights and AIDS awareness and politics during the 1980's and 1990's. He was also a professor of philosophy at the University of Hartford for many years. As an AIDS patient, he was inspirational to many. He published many articles and gave several speeches on these topics. This collection includes his work in the gay and AIDS communities, along with audio/visual items of him at various events.

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 Polish Club, Inc. was a social club organized by group of Poles active in the Bridgeport area to promote Polish culture. The club closely cooperated with the Polish Program at Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport. The Polish Club was officially incorporated in 1979 and was very active until the late 1990's, yet later its activities diminished. Collection consists of material documenting club activities from 1979 till 1996.

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 American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) initiated the establishment of the American Center of Polish Culture (ACPC) in Washington, D.C. Since the acronyms of both organizations are the same we refer to the American Center of Polish Culture as the Center. In 1985, during the annual conference of the American Council of Polish Culture (ACPC) it was decided that a Polish Center has to be established in the US capitol and an initial fundraising campaign had started. In 1989 the American Center of Polish Culture was incorporated and in 1991 a building was purchased. The Center was established with a significant help and support of the American Council of Polish Culture and individual supporters from the entire country. However with time the donations diminished and the organization didn't have the means to run such an expensive Center. In January of 2010 the National Polish Center, that was the official name of the Center, was acquired by the Kosciuszko Foundation and become the KF's Washington DC Center. The collection consists of administrative and financial records covering years 1984-2010.

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.

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.

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.

Stanislaw Edward Bask Mostwin was an achieved war hero and political activist in his lifetime. He was awarded several military decorations during WWII and after immigrating to the United States became actively involved in Polish and Polish American causes. He belonged to groups such as the Polish National Democratic Committee, Polish Heritage Society in Maryland, Polish American Congress, and North American Study Center for Polish Affairs (STUDIUM). The collection includes papers from these groups, especially STUDIUM, and other essays and writings on the state of Poland at the time and its history.

This collection consists of materials collected by Prof. Stanislaus A. Blejwas relating to the Polish American Congress Connecticut District (PAC CT) from 1981 to 1991. Stanislaus A. Blejwas was a professor of history and the director of the Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT. Additionally to his professional activities he was very active in political and cultural Polish American organizations on local and national level, for which he received numerous awards and recognitions. Prof. Blejwas held several positions within the Polish American Congress, Connecticut District (PAC CT) and was a president of the organization from 1983 till 1986.

Solidarity International of Connecticut (SI of CT) was a non-profit organization established in 1982 after Martial Law was imposed in Poland on December 13, 1981. SI of CT is a part of Solidarity International, a nationwide organization dedicated to the struggle for human rights and the perpetuation of the ideals of the Solidarity movement in Poland during the 1980's and 1990's.

The Solidarity Information Office in Canada was opened in Toronto in 1981, and served as a satellite office of the Solidarity Coordinating Office Abroad in Brussels. Zygmunt Przetakiewicz was the director of the office from 1981 until 1983, and in 1983 Wojciech Gilewski was a director of the office until 1990, when it discontinued operation. The collection consists of extensive correspondence, reports, official publications, press releases and clippings. It covers the years from 1981 until 1990.

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.

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.

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.

Richard Nelson, long time member of the Connecticut Stonewall Foundation, was an activist for LGBT rights. The collection includes materials pertaining to events put on by the Connecticut Stonewall Foundation and specific writing and speeches done by Richard Nelson.

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.

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 Reader's Feast was an independent bookstore that opened in 1983 in Hartford, Connecticut's West End. The two co-managers, Carolyn Gabel and Tollie Miller, were avid women's rights and gay rights activists and wanted to start a community bookstore where books representing all different cultures were sold and the environment was comfortable and safe for everyone. They ran the bookstore for twelve years, moving on to other ventures in 1995. This collection includes advertisements, newspaper articles, correspondence, and other materials directly related to Reader's Feast from 1983-1996.

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.

Polish Survivors of the Holocaust, an oral history project was initiated by Professor Stanislaus A. Blejwas from Central Connecticut State College and co-sponsored by the Association of Polish Priests in Connecticut. The project was funded by the Connecticut Humanities Council. Parts of the interviews were broadcast in a miniseries with Connecticut Public Radio. All interviews were transcribed. Collection contains documentation of the project, related correspondence, and various publications on Polish-Jewish relations and teaching the Holocaust. Collection illustrates experience of non-Jewish survivors of the Nazi concentration camps in World War II, who immigrated to the U.S. and lived in Connecticut.

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.

The Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford (PCCGH) was established in 1976 to promote and preserve Polish cultural heritage. The PCCGH is an affiliate member of the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC). The club awards scholarships, participates in ethnic and multicultural events, and prepares displays and presentations about the history and literature of Poland. The collection illustrates a wide range of activities of the club from 1976 until 2002.

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 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 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.

Polish American Arts Association (PAAA) of Washington D.C. was established in January 1966, as an affiliate member of the American Council for Polish Culture. PAAA creates public awareness of Polish history and culture through lectures, concerts, films and art exhibits. The collection contains material that illustrates activities of the organization for the years 2000-2009.

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.

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.

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.

This collection documents the life and service of Mieczysław Stanisław Władysław "Mike" Gorzula (1919–2015), a Polish fighter pilot who flew with British and Polish squadrons in the Royal Air Force during World War II. His career spanned the latter part of the Battle of Britain through the war's end, including bomber escorts, night fighter operations, ground attacks, and the rare feat of shooting down a German Me 262 jet fighter. Materials include military records—flight logs, promotion documents, aircraft data, and operational reports—alongside family correspondence, photographs, biographical narratives, genealogical information, and printed works related to his aviation career. Together, they present a vivid portrait of a distinguished pilot and the broader role of Polish airmen in the Allied victory.

Michael Alfred Peszke was born Poland in 1932. After the outbreak of WW II his family evacuated to France and England. Michael A. Peszke received his medical degree from the Dublin University School of Medicine, and in 1956 came to the U.S. and worked in his field of psychiatry until his retirement in 1999. He combined clinical work with research, teaching, and administrative duties, and published widely in his field. After his retirement he turned to his interest in Poland and World War II. He published four books and numerous scholarly articles. Dr. Peszke is the founding member of the Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University. His collection contains his scholarly articles, essays, books, and material which illustrate his interest in history and promotion of Poland, as well as his memoir written in 2006.

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.

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.

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.

The papers of Ludmil A. Chotkowski, a Polish American physician and vice-president of the Solidarity International Connecticut Chapter, a grass root organization supporting underground and dissident activities in Poland in the 1980s. He initiated a successful campaign to erect the Popieluszko Human Rights Monument in New Britain, Conn. He was involved in lobbying efforts and media campaigns on behalf of Polish opposition and participated in activities of other anti-communist and pro-democracy organizations based in the USA.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Material in the collection was compiled by Karen Majewski for her graduate studies project. It includes interviews with refugees from Poland from the Solidarity immigration wave in 1980's, as well as an extensive collection of newspaper clippings related to the subject.

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.

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.

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.

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.