Summary Information
Anthony J. Lukaszewski Papers
1923-1977
- Lukaszewski, Anthony J., 1882-1956
Milwaukee SC 123
0.1 c.f. (1 folder)
UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)
Papers concerning Lukaszewski, a former editor of the Milwaukee Nowiny Polskie and a broadcaster, active in Milwaukee dramatic societies; including photographs of Lukaszewski, photos and programs from the Milwaukee Polish Opera Club's production of Halka, clippings, and writings.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-mil0sc123 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
Anthony J. Lukaszewski (also known as “Luke” Lukaszewski) was born in Poznan, Poland, June 2, 1882 to Joseph and Mary (Kaczmarek) Lukaszewski. The family came to Manistee, Michigan, in 1892, and moved to Milwaukee one year later. Anthony attended St. Josaphat parochial school, Marquette Academy, and Marquette College, from which he received a B.A. in 1904. Subsequently Lukaszewski worked for the short-lived Dziennik Milwaucki, the Prudential Insurance Company, and in 1912 or 1913, joined the Nowiny Polskie as head of the advertising department. Lukaszewski later became the newspaper's business manager, managing editor, and general manager. He left the Nowiny Polskie in 1931 and joined the Milwaukee Journal editorial staff; he also took over the Sunday Polish Hour broadcast over WTMJ. Lukaszewski moved to Chicago at some time during the late 1930s or 1940s, where he continued his journalistic career with the Polish Daily Zgoda and other papers.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Lukaszewski was a co-founder in 1920 (with John Landowski) of the Milwaukee Polish Opera Club. The Opera Club was most famous for its production of the Polish national opera, Halka, in 1923. Lukaszewski portrayed Jontek Halka's peasant-sweetheart, in the 1923 production, and also in the subsequent 1925 film version. In addition, he was a regular member of the Opera Club company and appeared in most productions. Following his move to Chicago, Lukaszewski continued to perform in light operas.
Anthony Lukaszewski was also active in church and civic organizations, including the Holy Name Society and the Polish National Alliance. He lived in Chicago prior to his death in about 1956 at the age of 74. Among his survivors were his widow, four daughters, Rose Kedziora, Lucy Fabos, Helen Barnett, and Martha Floener; and five sons, Anthony Jr., Bernard, Leon, Thomas, and Rev. Boleslaw T. Lukaszewski.
Related Material
The papers of Anthony Lukaszewski are most significant when used in conjunction with the papers of John C. Landowski (Milwaukee Mss 78) and of Jozef Kosciuk in the collection of Emil Pankiewicz (Milwaukee Mss 71), and the records of the Polish Fine Arts Club (Milwaukee Mss 63). Together the collections illustrate many of the cultural and dramatic activities of Milwaukee Polonia during the early 1900s.
Scope and Content Note
Included with the Lukaszewski papers are two folders of photographs, of Anthony Lukaszewski in costume for the opera Masked Ball (1927), as a young man, and as an older man, with his son, and in group shots. There is a cast photo from the Polish Opera Club 1923 production of Halka; and five photos from the film version in 1925, four of which portray Lukaszewski as Jontek, and one which shows two Lukaszewski daughters with others in the cast. Other photos depict Halka cast members, probably during a recent presentation of the opera; with an undated photo of Lukaszewski and others with Marshal Josef Pilsudski in Warsaw; and a colored photo of Ignac Lukaszewski and Milwaukee poet, Stasia Pokors.
Other papers in the collection consist of a play written by Lukaszewski for Catholic school children (1935), news clippings about him and his poetry; a program and handbill from the 1949 Chicago production of Halka, with an English score translated by Lukaszewski; a 1977 program from Halka; sheet music and lyrics, c. 1956, written by Lukaszewski; a handbill, c. 1933, from his unsuccessful campaign for county clerk; and a religious certificate.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Presented by Rose Kedziora, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; by Helen Barnett, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and by Martha Floener, Chicago, Illinois, 1981.
Accession Number: M81-91, M81-181, and M81-349
Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt, March 1982.
Contents List
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Folder
3
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Campaign Card, circa 1933
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Folder
4
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Certificate for Child Saving Union of Prayer, 1956
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Folder
4
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Halka Program, 1949
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Folder
3
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Halka Program, 1977
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Folder
3
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Halka Score, 1949
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Folder
4
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News Clippings, 1947, 1950
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Folder
4
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Obituaries, 1956
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Folder
4
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“Peek Into My Heart,” Sheet Music by Luke Lukaszewski, 1956
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Folder
2
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Photographs, Miscellaneous, undated
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Folder
1
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Photographs, Plays and Theater, 1923, 1927, undated
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Folder
4
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Was It Luck, Play by A. J. Lukaszewski, 1935
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