The Polish Museum of America: A Place for Art, Music and Research
Chicago is home to the largest and oldest museum dedicated to the nation's Polish population: The Polish Museum of America. Founded in 1935, The Polish Museum of America houses permanent collections of paintings and sculpture and a vast library dedicated to Polish writings, and it is a major center for genealogy research.
Musical performances, lectures and theater pertaining to Polish culture are also a staple of the museum. The extensive library--the largest outside of Poland, houses 60,000 volumes, 250 periodicals and a vast collection of Polish music records and cassettes.
Whether you're Polish or not, the museum makes for a worthwhile visit. Its art collection is vast, and the museum hosts several special exhibits yearly. Far from the often-crowded city's museum campus, The Polish Museum of America offers a beautiful interior and a relaxing atmosphere.
In addition to its collection and library, the museum operates a very good gift shop where a wide range of Polish items--from books to recordings to clothing to artifacts--can be purchased.
Admission to the museum is reasonable and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. If you have time, you may want to plan an all-things-Polish day that includes visiting a Polish neighborhood and grocery store and ending up at a traditional Polish restaurant. The staff will give you directions to such an adventure.
Posted by Lori Rotenberk
