Title: Leo Krzycki Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1907-1966

Creator:

• Krzycki, Leo

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 276

Quantity:

• .2 cubic ft. (1 box including 2 audio cassettes)
• 1 oversize folder
• 2 digital files (1.35 GB)

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

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

Abstract:

Papers of Leo Krzycki, a prominent union advocate in Milwaukee's Polish community who worked for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America union. Collection consists of group photographs, speeches, a U.S. Senate report on labor rights, and ribbons and buttons from Krzycki's political and labor career.

Language: English, Polish

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0276

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Leo Krzycki was born in Milwaukee in 1881. At a young age, his father's personal experiences taught him about the violence that striking workers often faced at the turn of the century. Kryzcki gradually became interested in the rights of laborers, and at 15 led his first strike of fellow lithographers. This event led to his involvement with the Lithographers Union.

Krzycki was a founding member of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in 1914. He served on its executive board in 1922 and later as vice president. He associated with many other unions, including the United Auto Workers and the United Mine Workers.

Krzycki was actively involved in local and national politics, officially joining the Socialist Party in 1908. He served as an alderman and sheriff in Milwaukee, and also ran several times for Congress and the U.S. Senate. After this, he became a member of the Socialist Party's executive board and then served as its national chair. Krzycki retired from these activities in 1950 and died in 1966.

The collection contains photographs, speeches, a U.S. Senate report on labor rights, and ribbons and buttons, all relating to the political and union activities of Leo Krzycki, a prominent Polish-American Milwaukee resident in the early 1900s. The speeches, which can be found on two audio cassettes, are in both English and Polish. The photographs represent formal dinners in Milwaukee's Polish community.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Several items by Leo Krzycki can be found in the Fromkin Memorial Collection, located in Special Collections.

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

An unknown individual donated the collection to the Archives sometime in late 2000 (accession 2000-008).

Processing Information

Sarah Ethier (supervised by Christel Maass) processed the collection in November and December 2008. Shiraz Bhathena digitized the two audiocasettes in October 2021.

Box   1 Folder   1	Obituary, 1966
Oversize Folder   1	Photographs, 1941-1942
Box   1 Folder   2	Ribbons and Buttons, 1907-1966
	Speeches, undated Scope and Content Note Tape 1 Side A: America Speaks (0-113), America Speaks (114-182), America Speaks (183-256), I Saw Europe (257-315), Address by Leo K (316-376), Address by Leo K (388-436), Address by Leo K (438-460). Tape 1 Side B: Untitled (7-108), Polish 1 (109-199), Polish 2 (200-276), Polish 3 (277-324), Polish Labor Fights (325-395), Polish Labor Fights (396-466). Tape 2 Side A: Program with Jan (0-106), Program with Jan (107-193), Program with Jan (194-258), Program with Jan (259-314), 2-E (315-329), Program with Jan (330-389), Program with Jan (390-438). Tape 2 Side B: Untitled (0-107), Bach Adagio (108-157), Croatian Melodies (106-216), Farwell Moscow (217-244), Mr. Leo Krzycki (245-303), Untitled (304-324), Leo Krzycki (325-352), Bacm Neo (353-406), Bacm Neo Side 2 (407-457).
Box   1 Audio   1-2	Physical Physical Description: Audio cassettes  Access Restrictions: The original audiocasettes are restricted. Users must access the network versions available in the archives.
Electronic Folder	Physical Physical Description: 2 digital files (1 hr., 2 min.; 1 hr., 3 min.)
Box   1 Folder   3	Violations of Free Speech and Rights of Labor Senate Report, 1937