Polish American Congress. Wisconsin Division: Records, 1948-2003

Container Title
Milwaukee Mss 72
Part 1 (Milwaukee Mss 72, Audio 2035A/1-6): Original Collection, 1948-1980
Physical Description: 2.0 cubic feet (6 archives boxes) and 6 tape recordings 
Scope and Content Note

This part is arranged in two series: WISCONSIN DIVISION RECORDS and NATIONAL PAC RECORDS.

The WISCONSIN DIVISION RECORDS date from 1948 to 1980, and consist of by-laws, membership records, administrative records, and correspondence, with related materials. Within the files of administrative records are minutes of annual meetings, financial and treasurers' reports, resolutions, and other papers pertaining to the meetings. Most of the documents are in Polish. Supplementing the administrative files are four tape recordings of the May 21, 1978 executive board meeting and of the delegates' meeting, January 21, 1979. The tapes are in English.

Much of the general correspondence in the collection concerns local celebrations and commemorations of anniversaries in Polish and Polish American history. There are letters describing arrangements for public ceremonies, letters of invitation and regret, and programs from events. Among the occasions observed were the 50th anniversary of the restoration of independence to Poland, 1968; the 50th anniversary of the restoration of independence to Poland, 1968; the 30th anniversary of the invasion of Poland in 1939; commemoration of the Katyn Forest Massacre in 1939; and the American Revolution Bicentennial, 1979. In addition, there is correspondence opposing selection of Munich as Milwaukee's Sister City (1965) and letters written to protest a Nazi rally in Milwaukee in August 1977. Other correspondence concerns administrative matters, such as perceived PAC election irregularities (1977 and 1978), PAC national finances (1968-1974, 1977), membership recruitment (1977-1978), problems with internal communication (12 December 1975 and 16 January 1976), and the establishment of a new Texas State Division (23 March 1971). The Wisconsin Division was also involved with the 1977 Milwaukee public schools desegregation plan, and from 1972 to 1976 sought veterans' benefits for veterans of allied military forces from both World Wars.

Specific correspondence files include those on defamation, stressing formation of a positive Polish identity, elimination of defamatory remarks and anti-Polish jokes, and establishment of “Project Pole,” to combat negative stereotypes; and files concerning celebrations of the Polish Millennium of Christianity and Kopernik Quincentennial. The file on Polish ethnicity promotes use of the Polish language in Milwaukee area churches, in the media, and through language classes; establishment of a Chair of Polish history at the University of Wisconsin; formation of cultural clubs; and the development of the Polish exhibit at the Milwaukee Public Museum. There is a file of correspondence concerning United States foreign policy, primarily consisting of correspondence between the Wisconsin PAC and representatives in Congress on matters pertaining to Poland.

NATIONAL PAC RECORDS primarily consist of records of meetings of the Supreme Council (1962), board of directors (1956-1978), and of national conventions (1960-1976). Included in the files are minutes, agenda, committee reports, correspondence, speeches, and materials pertaining to the business under consideration. . There are also several versions of the national by-laws from different dates; national newsletters; bulletins of the Illinois Division of the PAC, with a few issues from the Michigan, New York, and Ohio PAC groups; and several “Komunikats” and news abstracts of the Studium Spraw Polskich, (the North American Study Center for Polish Affairs), a group of intellectuals associated with the PAC from 1976-1977.

Series: Wisconsin Division Records
Box   1
Folder   1
By-laws, 1964, 1975, 1980
Box   1
Folder   2
Membership records, 1971-1980
Box   1
Folder   3-5
Administrative records, 1948-1980, undated
2035A/1-2
Wisconsin Division Executive Board meeting, 1978 May 21
Note: Formerly Milwaukee Tape 8.
2035A/3-4
PAC delegates meeting, 1979 January 21
Note: Formerly Milwaukee Tape 8.
Milwaukee Mss 72
Correspondence and related materials
General
Box   1
Folder   6-8
1956-1969
Box   2
Folder   1-6
1970-1981, undated
Regarding defamation
Box   2
Folder   7
1963-1978 April
Box   3
Folder   1
1978 May-1979
Box   3
Folder   2
Regarding Pope John Paul II, 1978
Box   3
Folder   3
Kopernik Committee, 1972-1974
Box   3
Folder   4
Millennium Committee, 1962-1967, 1970, undated
Box   3
Folder   5-6
Regarding Polish ethnicity, 1956-1979, undated
United States foreign policy
Box   3
Folder   7
1956-1971
Box   4
Folder   1-2
1972-1980, undated
Series: National PAC Records
Box   4
Folder   3
National by-laws, 1960, 1970, 1972, 1976, undated
2035A/5-6
Discussion and vote on national bylaws, election on officers: audio recordings
Box   4
Folder   4
Supreme Council meeting, 1962
Board of Directors meetings
Box   4
Folder   5-8
1956-1975
Box   5
Folder   1-3
1976-1978
Convention minutes and other records
Box   5
Folder   4-8
1960, 1964, 1968, 1970, 1972
Box   6
Folder   1-2
1972, 1976
Box   6
Folder   3
Newsletters, 1969-1978
Box   6
Folder   4
Bulletins, 1974-1979
Box   6
Folder   5
Studium, 1978-1979
Box   6
Folder   6
Miscellaneous, 1976-1979, undated