Title: Polish Falcons of America. Nest 725: Records
Inclusive Dates: 1916-1930, 1946-1994

Creator:

• Polish Falcons of America. Nest 725 (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Call Number: Milwaukee Mss 60; Milwaukee Micro 30; Micro 903; PH Milwaukee Mss 60

Quantity: 0.3 c.f. (1 archives box and 1 oversize folder), 1 reel of microfilm (35mm), and 1 photograph

Repository:

Housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries’ Archives Department / Milwaukee Area Research Center; owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Records of a Milwaukee affiliate of the Polish Falcons of America (Sokolstwo Polskie w Ameryce), organized on the north side in 1916 to encourage physical fitness and training, cultural activities, and other youth and civic programs. Included are two volumes of microfilmed minutes in Polish (1916-1926), of both the men's organization and the women's auxiliary; anniversary programs and histories; several district convention and bowling programs; a record book of service medals and Legion of Honor members; certificates; newsclippings; and a photograph of the 50th anniversary dinner, 1966.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil00060

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Nest 725 of the Polish Falcons of America (Sokolstwo Polskie w Ameryce) was organized by Milwaukee north side residents on December 10, 1916. The purpose of the organization, which originated in Poland in 1863 and in the United States in 1887, was “to train the body, to spread brotherhood and cultural activities, and to discipline and to submerge the personal 'I' for the betterment of the community.” Members of the Nest competed in local and district gymnastic and military drills and rallies, supported the World War 1 effort, and in 1992, formed a choir and a band. A girls junior nest (Nest 755) and a boys nest were established in 1919. But both later merged with Nest 725. In 1940 Nest 725 purchased a building on N. Fratney Street to use as its “home” for meetings and social gatherings; five years later a larger home on E. Clarke was purchased. Many members of the Nest served in World War II. Members of the Nest also participate actively in bowling tournaments; in 1942 Nest 725 hosted the Polish Falcon national tournament. Other activities include gymnastic drills and summer camps, sports training and competitions, folk dancing, music contests, Polish language courses, and social events, with emphasis always placed on youth activities. In 1976, the two Milwaukee Falcon Nests had a total of 650 members.

The records of Nest 725 consist of two minute books, in Polish, of the men's organization, December 1916 to January 1926; and of the ladies auxiliary, December 1918 to 1925, including address and dues lists, 1927-1930; with three Nest anniversary programs, 1946, 1966, and 1976; one other program; and partial histories of the early years of the Nest, probably compiled from the minute books. Also included in the collection are programs of district Falcon bowling tournaments and conventions, 1964, 1968, 1975 and 1976, miscellaneous, a record book of service medals and Legion of Honor members, news clippings concerning Milwaukee and national Falcon events, and a photograph of the 50th anniversary dinner, 1966.

Catalogued separately is a minute book of Nest 755, the girls junior nest allied with Nest 725 (Milwaukee Micro 31/Micro 885).

Acquisition Information

Presented and loaned for copying by Walter Sume, Franklin, Wisconsin, 1981; presented by Ray Bronk, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1981; and presented by Bob Riebau, Glendale, Wisconsin, 1997. Accession Number: M81-379, M81-399, M2002-106

Processing Information

Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt, January 1982, and Myrna Williamson, 2002.

Milwaukee Mss 60 Box   1 Folder   1	Nest 725 Anniversary Program and Other Programs, 1946, 1976, undated
Box   1 Folder   2	Partial Histories of Nest 725
Box   1 Folder   3	Bowling Tournament Programs, 1968, 1975
Box   1 Folder   4	Convention Programs, 1964, 1976
Box   1 Folder   5	Miscellany, 1926, 1952, 1976, 1980, 1983, 1994, undated
Box   1 Folder   6	News clippings, 1976-1979, 1982, 1990, 1994, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Record book of Service Medal and Legion of the Honor members
PH Milwaukee Mss 60	Photograph of 50th anniversary dinner, 1966
Milwaukee Mss 60 Oversize Box   1	Certificates, 1940-1989
Milwaukee Micro 30/Micro 903 Reel   1	Minute books
	Volume 1, Men's Organization, December 1916-January 1926
	Volume 2, Ladies' Auxiiary, December 1918-1925