Spotlight | Józef Piłsudski Institute of America
/Welcome to Broadway Stages’ Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues that provide goods and services to our community. October is Polish-American Heritage Month. Join Broadway Stages in honoring Polish-Americans’ values, culture, and contributions during this observance! This week, we visit the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Greenpoint. Brooklyn is often referred to as ‘Little Poland’. It is said to have the largest concentration of Polish immigrants and Polish-Americans outside of Chicago. So, it only makes sense for Greenpoint to be the home to Józef Piłsudski Institute of America, a museum and research center devoted to the study of modern Polish history.
The Institute is named after the Polish interwar statesman Józef Piłsudski, a dominant figure in Polish politics between the First and Second World Wars. He is largely viewed as a father of the Second Polish Republic, which was re-established in 1918.
The Institute was formed on July 3 and 4, 1943, during the General Assembly of the National Committee of Americans of Polish Extraction (KNAPP), held at the Washington Hotel in New York City. In attendance were several former members of the Polish government. The formation was also welcomed by members of the Polish government-in-exile, including the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief at the time, General Władysław Sikorski, and his two successors, General Kazimierz Sosnkowski (Commander-in-Chief) and Prime Minister Stanisław Mikołajczyk.
Today, the Pilsudski Institute of America is a not-for-profit devoted to collecting, safe-keeping, and preserving documents and other historical memorabilia related to the history of Poland, Poles, and Americans of Polish descent. As a research center, they make the collections accessible to researchers and visitors to the Institute and worldwide. Moreover, they continue to research the current history of Poland and educate, emphasizing the history of Poland and Polish Americans.
The Institute gives awards in various areas to encourage and recognize the achievements of Polish and Polish-Americans and those efforts in support of them. The awards include:
● Marshal Józef Piłsudski Leadership And Achievement Award
● Wacław Jędrzejewicz History Award
● Marie Skłodowska-Curie Science Award
● Ignacy Paderewski Arts And Music Award
● Joseph Conrad Literature Award
● Pilsudski’s Institute Merentibus Medal
● The Corporate Catalyst Award
Thanks to the generosity of their patrons, the Institute has been able to fulfill their mission of gathering, preserving, and making accessible to the public their archives and other historical memorabilia. Additionally, they have been able to continue their education initiative and promotion of Polish culture and history in the United States for more than 70 years.
You may wish to become a member of the Pilsudski Institute of America or make a one-time donation (any amount is appreciated). If you are looking for a place to complete an internship or just have some spare time, there is sure to be a place for you among the volunteers. If you are not in the area or want a preview of the Institute, you can check out their robust virtual tour, visit their YouTube page, and follow them on Facebook.
Broadway Stages is thrilled to have their base of operations in a neighborhood filled with diversity and pride. The Polish community in Greenpoint will remain rich and vibrant for years, with great organizations like the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America safeguarding its culture and achievements. Stop by and visit them soon. And be sure to tell them that Broadway Stages sent you!
