Mitchell, Ruth Crawford , 1890-, Starzynski, Theophilus A, University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program. Polish Nationality Room Committee., University of Pittsburgh. Nationality Rooms Program., University of Pittsburgh., Classrooms--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh, Polish Americans--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh, Universities and colleges--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh
Description
The Polish Nationality Room Committee Collection details the planning, funding, construction, and dedication of the Polish Nationality Room in the Cathedral of Learning. The majority of these records range from 1926, when Chancellor John H. Bowman first approached the Pittsburgh Polish Community on the building of the Polish Nationality Room, to the dedication of the room in 1940. The collection contains general correspondence, much of which is between the Polish Committee and Ruth Crawford Mitchell, as well as the room's architect. Also included are photographs of the room and committee, newspaper clippings, memorial letters, dedication papers, a running memo, publicity materials, financial statements, committee minutes, and other documents related to the room and the Polish community in Pittsburgh. The materials are primarily in English, but some of the newspaper clippings are in Polish., The Polish Nationality Room Committee Collection details the planning, funding, construction, and dedication of the Polish Nationality Room. The majority of the documents range from 1926 to after the room's dedication in 1940. The collection contains correspondence, both between the committee members and with the Polish architect, as well as a running memo, newspaper clippings, photographs of the room and committee, finical statements, and other documents pertaining to the establishment of the Polish Nationality Room., Processing Information: This collection was processed by Alexandra Hebda in October 2015., Polish Nationality Room Committee Collection, 1926-1981, UA.40.17, University of Pittsburgh Archives, Transferred to the University Archives by the Nationality Rooms Program on August 3, 2014., Though the idea of building a Polish Nationality Room first came up in 1925, it was only discussed in earnest in the late 1920s. Planning began in 1930 and the committee for the erection of the Polish Hall in the Cathedral of Learning was organized February 5, 1931. Fundraising for the room occurred until the German invasion of Poland in late 1939, when the Polish community focused instead on creation the Polish Emergency Relief Committee. The University of Pittsburgh provided the remaining funds for the construction of the Polish Nationality Room, which was dedicated on February 16, 1940, before a group of both American and Polish representatives. The first chairman of the committee was Colonel Theophilus A. Starzynski, who served in that capacity until 1939. After him, Dr. Chester S. Sierakowski was appointed chairman and held that position until the end of World War II. The committee worked closely with both the Polish Women's League and Ruth Crawford Mitchell, who was the Advisor to the Nationality Rooms. The Polish Falcons of America and the Polish National Alliance of North America were also involved with providing publicity and funds for the establishment of the room. Professor A. Szyszko-Bohusz, a famous Cracow-based architect, provided the design for the Polish Nationality Room. The room is designed in the style of the 1500s Polish Renaissance and was based on Wawel Castle, which overlooks the city of Cracow. The entrance door was carved out of oak by a Lwow craftsman and was gifted to the room by the Polish Women's Alliance. The cornerstone, presented by the faculty of the University of Cracow, is a fragment from the oldest university building in Poland, the Jagiellonian Library. Behind the professor's chair hangs an oil painting of the Polish astronomer Copernicus, a copy of a famous work by Anna Szyszko-Bohusz. Also in the room is the Jagiellonian Globe, a reproduction of a 16th century object that also serves as a clock and a calendar. The Polish Room still provides a scholarship for students studying abroad in Poland, dedicated to the memory of Dr. Donald Mushalko.
Publisher
Contributor
University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms Program. Polish Nationality Room Committee, (creator.), University of Pittsburgh (depositor)
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