11/29/2025
The Polish Museum of America is the “crown jewel” of the Polish American community. Established in 1935, it has preserved and exhibited the history and culture of the Polish American community and our ancestral homeland – Poland. Its all-inclusive exhibits are both educational and entertaining. Its Library and extensive Archives have rendered invaluable services to historians, researchers, students and genealogists.
The military collection, which constitutes a sizable portion of the Historical Collection, dates from the 19th and 20th centuries, and consists of three basic divisions: the participation of the Poles whenever the United States was at war; the paramilitary organizations of Polonia; and the Polish military formations around the world during World Wars I and II. However, the beginning of the military aspect of the exhibitions in the Great Hall recalls a much earlier event—the victory of the Polish King, Jan III Sobieski, over the Turks at Vienna in 1683. Two relics of the Polish Cavalry’s winged armor are on exhibit. They were produced for the Polish Pavilion at the New York World’s Fair in 1939.
The revolution of the British colonies in America (1775–1782), which resulted in the establishment of the United States of America, is the earliest period of Polish American cooperation on the battlefield. There is also evidence of Poles participating in the American Civil War, or War of Secession, (1861–1865). This exhibit includes replicas of the Civil War uniforms in the Great Hall—the blue uniform of the 58th Infantry Regiment of New York, and the gray uniform of the 14th Infantry Regiment of Louisiana.
The second division of the military artifacts pertains to paramilitary organizations of Polonia, such as the Polish Falcons Society and the Knights of St. Casimir, which participated, in times of peace, at patriotic manifestations organized on the anniversaries of national events, and at celebrations of religious holy days, especially Good Friday.
The third military division is the largest and contains unique artifacts. A significant part is from the World War I period, the mementos of the Polish Army in France (also known as the Haller’s Army, from the name of the commander, or the Blue Army, for the color of its uniforms) and its soldiers. There is also a large collection of uniforms and mementos, however from World War II.
The Polish Museum of America, one of the oldest and largest ethnic museums in the United States, offers visitors a range of exhibits, resources and activities related to Polish history, culture and heritage, as well as Polish American history. Tour guides are available to assist visitors and provide additional information.
In the Museum, you will find on permanent display:
Paintings and sculptures by 18th, 19th and 20th century Polish and Polish American artists
Polish coins, medals, books and photographs
Objects from the Polish Pavilion at the 1939 New York World’s Fair
Examples Polish Folk traditions including: szopkas (nativity scenes) and Polish Christmas and Easter traditions, wycinanki – traditional Polish paper-cutting art, authentic regional Polish folk dress, and folk woodwork, needlework, and leatherwork
Polish military uniforms and memorabilia from various wars and eras, including World War I, World War II, the American Civil War and the American Revolution
Winged Hussar armor
Exhibits on famous Poles: Pope John Paul II, General Casimir Pulaski, General Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Shakespearean actress Helena Modrzejewska (Modjeska)
An exhibit entitled The Paderewski Room: a room dedicated to the life and historical achievements of Ignacy Jan Paderewski, pianist, composer and statesman.
Collections of objects from the first permanent Polish settlement in the United States in Panna Maria, Texas (1854), including the original Stations of the Cross from Panna Maria Roman Catholic Church.
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