The Polish Cultural Center & Museum

06/21/2026

Minnesota photojournalist John Vachon documented life in Poland in 1946 before the communists took control. The Polish History Museum in Warsaw is developing an exhibit of his work, which includes photos of the Gdansk area. Museum researcher Kacper Wyokinski provided a preview at a conference in Lublin on June 12. Learn more in a forthcoming Nowy Wiarus newsletter. (Attached photo of Vachon is courtesy of Polish History Museum. That's the Prudential building in the background, made famous in the Warsaw Uprising).

06/18/2026

Did You Know…Polish & Kashubian immigrants began settling throughout Minnesota in the late 1800s, bringing with them traditions, language, faith, and a strong sense of community.

Many of these traditions are still celebrated today, helping preserve an important part of our region's history.

What traditions have been passed down in your family?

06/16/2026

Family has always been at the heart of Polish culture. Through stories, traditions, recipes, celebrations, and shared memories, each generation helps preserve the heritage of those who came before them.

At the Polish Cultural Center & Museum, we're proud to help keep those stories alive and celebrate the families who have shaped our community.

06/08/2026

This coming Saturday's evening featured speaker at the Polish Institute Arts & Sciences of America's 10th World Congress on Polish Studies conference in Lublin, Poland will be noted Polish scholar Jacek Koltan of the European Solidarity Centre at the University of Gdansk. https://piasa.org/conferences/ He'll talk on the history of solidarity as a concept and how it evolved from class warfare during the French Revolution to peaceful civil change that catalyzed the Polish Solidarity movement in the 1980s in the Kashubian homeland and elsewhere.

Our Winona museum celebrates the positive era that freed Central Europe, with our unique Solidarity banner signed by nine world leaders, including Pope John Paul II.

05/23/2026

This Memorial Day weekend it is worth remembering one of the first Polish Americans to give his life for our country - Gen. Casimiir Pulaski in October 1779 at the Battle of Savannah during the American Revolution. On May 16, our Polish American friends "down river" in St. Louis dedicated a new bronze sculpture of Pulaski by noted Wisconsin sculpture Boleslaw Kochanowski at Jefferson Barracks Park. Pulaski's sacrifice leading French troops in a cavalry charge helped pave the way for greater French military and financial assistance in 1780.

05/15/2026

🇵🇱 A vibrant celebration of Kashubian culture

The Kashubian Song and Dance Ensemble from Bytów brought incredible energy and tradition to a performance inside Poland’s Parliament.

With colorful costumes, music, and movement, this performance beautifully showcases the richness of regional Polish heritage.

Did you know? Poland’s current Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, is part Kashubian.

👉Subskrybuj Sejm RP na Youtube: https://bit.ly/2OftGKR👉Zasady dyskusji: https://bit.ly/3kYrM18👉Harmonogram obrad: sejm.gov.pl/Sejm10.nsf/agenda.xsp👉Odwie...

05/13/2026

🔍 Discover your roots, no Polish required!

Join us on May 16 at 10:00a, for a FREE webinar on using Polish-language newspapers in your genealogy research.

Learn how to uncover family stories from historical newspapers in Minnesota and New York.

Featuring:
• Jeff Turkowski
• Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz

🧬 Whether you're just starting or deep into your research, this is a powerful tool you won’t want to miss.

Head to our website to join the webinar:
https://polishmuseumwinona.org/events/

05/10/2026

05/09/2026

Meet Ambassador Analise!

A junior at Winona Senior High School, Analise brings a creative and thoughtful spirit to the exchange program.

She spends her time dancing ballet, figure skating, reading, and practicing calligraphy. She also loves baking sweet treats and being outdoors.

While she may be a bit shy at first, once you get to know her, her personality shines.

“I can’t wait to meet you all and travel to Poland in return!”

05/05/2026

🇵🇱 A meaningful celebration of Polish heritage.

Eleven members of our community, including family and friends, took part in the Polish Constitution Day Mass at St. Stanislaus Basilica.

Pictured with the group are Fr. Patrick Arens and Deacon Justin Green, who helped lead this special service.

Beautiful folk costumes representing four regions of Poland were worn: the Góral Highlanders, Kraków, Warsaw, and the Kashubian homeland, each one honoring the richness and diversity of Polish culture.

A powerful way to celebrate history, faith, and tradition together.