The Polish Museum is located in a three-story building built in 1890 by the Laird-Norton Lumber Company. It is located on the S.E. corner of Second and Liberty Streets in Winona, Minnesota. Purchased in 1977 by Rev. Paul J. Breza, its intended purpose was to be a museum-storage area for the “Committee for Polish Affairs” – later known as the Polish Heritage Society. Aborted by its parent organization shortly after its inception, it went on with a truncated membership who patched, painted, plumbed and plastered a lumber yard office building – turned into a printing company – into a museum of fine instrumentality for exhibition of Polish immigrant history.
The upper floor of the museum houses a supposedly temporary archive of the Diocese of Winona -again an even older and more eclectic collection of the original purchaser. The museum itself is now owned entirely as a corporation gifted to an ever evolving board of directors. Their efforts all voluntary, the museum has a tiny budget as compared to other institutions its size.
Board of Directors
The Polish Cultural Institute was deemed a corporation by the State of Minnesota on October 19, 1979. David Davenport was our incorporating lawyer and his services were a gift to the museum from Michael Pehler. Original incorporators were the people in the van who accompanied Father Breza to the I.D.S. Building in Minneapolis viz. Alice Breza, Angie Peterson, Jo Caldwell, Marianne (Rice) Morrison, and Sheila and Dennis Daly.
The Board meets monthly, keeps minutes, and elects new members after deaths or resignations. We meet and proceed under Roberts Rules of Order. All members cooperate for major activities. All members are volunteer status. Lists of additional volunteers are kept to enable calls for help beyond limited abilities of the board.
POLISH MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
* Lorraine Walski – President
* Carol Dennis – Secretary – Treasurer
* Louise Prondzinski – Store Manager
* Terry Breza
* Jessi Pohlman
* LaVern Skroch
* Fr Paul Breza
ADJUNCT BOARD MEMBERS:
* Mary Kay Kramer
* Andy Wojienchowski
* Joan McGill
* Cathy Berzinski