American Council for Polish Culture
Spring Board Meeting at the Polish American Museum on Long Island

March 28-29, 2025

by Peter J. Obst

Among the Polish American Museums in the United States, the one in Port Washington on Long Island NY is one of the lesser known ones. To give the museum some needed exposure the American Council for Polish Culture (ACPC) held the Spring Board Meeting there on March 28-29. It was a great opportunity to introduce its members to this notable collection of items from Polish-American history and militaria contributed or loaned by Polish Army veterans who emigrated to the United States after the end of World War II.

Among the items under discussion during the board meeting was the next convention of the ACPC which will take place in Buffalo NY on July 30 - August 2 this year and will be hosted by the Polish Arts Club of Buffalo. An excellent presentation was given by its president Robert Fronckowiak. This convention will not only give ACPC members an opportunity to settle various items of its annual business agenda, but they will have the opportunity to see the influence that Poles living in Buffalo had on the development of the city which has many points of interest and achievements that illustrate its immigrant legacy.

Another item under discussion was the ACPC's participation in the National Conference for the Social Studies, a teacher's convention, that is scheduled in Washington DC over December 5-7. Last year, Poland was represented with a "Polish Perspectives" booth manned by members of the ACPC. Two Poland themed proposals for presentations to the assembly of over two thousand attending educators were submitted to the NCSS organizers.

Board members were elated to hear a report that an affiliate member organization, the Polish American Cultural Society of Metro St. Louis, will install a bust of Casimir Pulaski in Jefferson Barracks Park in their fair city. The Society received financial support from the Polish Consulate in Chicago and Poland's Ministry of Culture, yet still must raise funds to complete the installation and provide for future maintenance of the bust.

Plans were also put forward for participation in the American Semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Organizers are planning commemorations that would be held at the places where Casimir Pulaski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko made significant contribution to the cause of American liberty. This would include events in places such as Saratoga and West Point NY where Kosciuszko planned out defensive works, and Savannah GA where Pulaski led his final charge.

Because of the importance of this great American Anniversary, a proposal was put forth to hold ACPC's convention in Philadelphia next year. It would give the organization a wonderful opportunity to highlight the role that Poles played in the America Revolution. After discussions closed, the attendees took the opportunity to tour the museum's various exhibits. In addition to displays that feature the heroism of Polish Army veterans, there is a collection of paintings that portray the bravery of several Polish-Americans who, serving in the United States Army, earned the highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor. These paintings by Edward Lis, were donated by Jack Pinkowski, president of the Poles in America Foundation.

In addition, the museum has wonderful displays on Poles who made major contribution to the world in art, music, engineering, science, politics and education. There are some impressive religious and cultural items, old maps, portraits of individuals from Polish History and a well stocked library. Not least, is a display of souvenir items from the 1939-40 New York World's Fair where Poland had an impressive pavilion.

This is a place that though somewhat out of the way, deserves a visit by every person who holds their Polish Heritage dear.
Additional information about the Polish Museum may be found on - http://polishamericanmuseum.com/
The American Council for Polish Culture also has posted information about its activities, which include the granting of scholarships, on - http://www.polishcultureacpc.org

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Photographs

1. During the meeting, with some participation via the internet; (l. to. r.) Jaroslaw Golembiowski, Debbie Majka, Cecilia Larkin (ACPC President), Mark Szpak; (opposite side - l. to. r.) Lilia Kieltyka, Tom Payne, Olek Skrypczuk, Barbara Lemecha

2.During the meeting (left right) Mark Szpak, Cecilia Larkin (ACPC resident), Debbie Majka, Jaroslaw Golembiowski,Robert Fronckowiak, Edward Krolikowski; (front left) Olek Skrypczuk, Barbara Lemecha, Margaret and Greg Butler, Stasia Skrypczuk, Rose Kobylinski

3. Meeting in progress (front left) Tom Payne; (front right) Cecilia Larkin (ACPC President)

4. In the Museum Library with a picture of Thomas Cajetan Wgierski
(l. to. r.) Edward Krolikowski, Stasia Skrypczuk, Barbara Lemecha, Debbie Majka, Olek Skrypczuk

5. (l. to r.) Lilia Kieltyka, Greg and Margaret Butler, and Mark Szpak beside the corridor display of Polish folk art, maps, and costumes

6. (l. to. r) Edward Krolikowski, Rose Kobylinski and Jaroslaw Golembiowski stand beside the display of souvenirs from the 1939-40 Worlds Fair in New York

7. Mark Szpak stands beside a portrait of Roman Jaworowski, a Polish newspaper publisher in the 19th Century

8. In the religious artifacts exhibition room - (L. to. r) Barbara Lemecha and Rose Kobylinski

9. A display of Polish leaders during World War I

10. Many German soldiers quickly regretted their career choice when they found themselves on the receiving end of the powerful BREN Light Machine Gun (LKM in Polish Army terminology) wielded by determined and hardened men of Poland's Anders Army on the North African Battlefront during WW II

11. (l.to r.) Museum Director Barbara Szydlowski and Board Member John Pitrowski with the paintings by Edward Lis donated from the collection of Poles in America Foundation by its president Jack Pinkowski

12. Display devoted to General Jozef Haller and the all-volunteer Polish Blue Army that fought in World War I

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