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| Defining the Polish Legacy in Nebraska and the world The Polish Heritage Center was incorporated in 1997 in an effort to preserve the ancestral language, culture and traditions of one of the most significant immigrant groups to settle in Nebraska. The small village of Ashton, where the Center is located is a hub of this ethnic region. It has seen waves of immigrants, first Germans and later Poles. Since the late 1800's, Ashton has been the epicenter from which their descendants have spread out across the nation. Today, in their establishment of a Polish Heritage center, both current and former residents join in their efforts to preserve the culture of their origin. Both geographically and culturally many of these descendants have seen weakening in their links to their past. The Center began as an initiative to re-educate both young and old in an effort to maintain a proud heritage. The Center is repository of cultural artifacts such as irreplaceable books, music and local genealogical records. It houses early photographs and art. It provides a meeting place to support the accomplishment of educational goals and activities. We invite you to visit the center's museum, which offers unique displays and relics of the past. As well, the Center offers a glimpse into the emerging role of today's Poland. Cultural heritage is a living and ever-changing thing. It is more than a time-worn snapshot of and earlier period. The cultural threads which are embedded in early examples of folk art and music, are today reflected in monumental changes in the Polish Homeland. One of the educational goals of the Center is to update and transform popular stereotypes into a broader understanding of the modern Polish homeland and culture. Your membership and donations will help achieve these goals. |
| Connections: |
| Polish Heritage Center P.O. Box 3 226 Carlton Ave. Ashton, Nebraska 68817 308-738-2249 E-mail us Contact Persons: Larry Molczyk, President 402-631-9660 Norma Janulewvicz Vice President Terese Hulinsky, Secretary Vigrinia Pokorski Treasurer Phyllis Piechota Museum tours @ gift shop 308-738-2260 The center is located in Ashton NE. It houses a headquarters office, museum, library, a genealogical collection, meeting rooms and a gift shop. The building itself is the renovated, former convent of the St Francis Catholic Church. Directions: From the Grand Island/Highway 281 exit of Interstate 80, proceed North 28 miles to the town of St. Paul. At St. Paul, head west on Highway 92 for 18 miles. Hours: The center is open to the public from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM each Sunday and during the week by appointment only. Please call (308) 738-2260 for appointment. Admission: $3.00. Free to members. (Call for membership information) |
| Your Membership is gateway to special events throughout the season offer the rich tastes of a proud past including: Polish Fest traditional music, food and fun 2nd Sunday of September. Memorial Polka Mass for the community's departed held in during Polishfest. Christmas Wigilia Observance in December, St. Francis Parish Hall Ashton Artistic, musical and educational events presented throughout the year Quarterly Newsletters and updates of the Center's activities Free access to the museum, its library and geneological records. |
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| Join us now in Preserving and celebrating our Polish Heritage |
| The Polish Heritage Center is and outgrowth of ideas initially put forth during the 1989 Ashton Centennial. Elaine Dart, a former Ashton resident, followed up on the notion and spearheaded the long process of bringing the Center into reality. Through generous donations from Dr. Phillip and Ruth Maschka, the St. Francis convent was purchased in March of 2000. During the Grand Opening of the Center's permanent home, visitors from ten states and Canada participated in the festivities. |
| The Polish Heritage Center Inc. Ashton,Nebraska Nebraska's ONLY Polish Center |
Second Annual Essay Contest Planned Polish Heritage Essay Contest The Polish Heritage Center in Ashton, NE is once again sponsoring an essay contest for all students in grades 6 through 12.The students are asked to describe in not less than 250 and not more than 500 words an essay on” The Accomplishments of Polish People Throughout the World” .Pick one person to write an essay about. The objectives of the contest are help inform our younger generation the importance of the past and to gain an understanding of the history and contributions of the Polish people throughout the world. The essays will be judged on originality, creativity, clarity.The contest will commence on May 18. 2010 and end September 1, 2010. The 1st place winner will receive a $200 savings bond. The 2nd and 3rd place winners will each receive a $100 savings bond. All contestants will receive a meal ticket to the Polish Buffet and dance on September 12, 2010. The winners will be notified and the winning names will be announced at the festival. The guidelines when returning the essays should include a cover page with the student’s name, address, grade and date submitted. Judges will not be aware of the name of the student submitting the essay. The cover will be removed and the writer and essay will be given a number. All essays should be send directly to the Polish Heritage Center, P.O. Box 3 Ashton, NE 68817. Call Larry at 402-694-2470 for more information. |
Ashton's Polish Heritage Center plans to
“resurrect” the their widely popular tour of
local cemeteries during their upcoming
Polish fest, September 12th. “This year we
will focus on the lives and personalities of
those buried at the historic, Paplin
cemetery near Ashton and we are asking
for help from descendants who have
family members buried there. We want to
add a personal connection for those who
visit, “ according to Ron Badura who's
great grandparents homesteaded the
original location, which later became the
town.
This year's featured cemetery tour in Paplin will
leave from the Church hall at 12:30 PM. This
cemetery is the site of one of the oldest Polish
settlements in central Nebraska. It was established
in association with the former, Our Lady of Mount
Carmel Church in 1882. Mt Carmel Church will
be open to visitors during the tour.
In 2000 Susanne Milbourn surveyed the Paplin
cemetery for the USGenWeb archives and
basic information about those buried there can
be found at: http://files.usgwarchives.
org/ne/howard/cemeteries/paplin.txt
| THE 11TH ANNUAL POLISH FESTIVAL Sunday,Sept. 12Th 2010 (10:30 A.M. -5P.M.) Polka Mass 10:30 AM (at St.Francis Church) Polish Buffet served from ( 11 A.M.- 2P.M.) St. Francis Hall in Ashton, NE Afternoon activities include : Silent Auction, Bingo, Matinee Dance featuring Yrkoski’s Traveling Musicians, St. Stanislaus Polish choir and Polish folk music sing along Raffle, Country Store -selling 10th anniversary cookbooks, and Beer Garden. A special presentation by Fulbright Scholar and exchange student, Maggie Mitteis and friend Fun activities for the children! Polish Essay winners will be announced The Polish Heritage Museum and Gift Shop will be open.(12P.M.-4P.M.) Special discount on pottery (one day only) Great Christmas items! Paczki, kolaches and many delicious foods for sale! There are other activities that have yet to be finalized. Special Activity -Paplin Cemetery and Mt. Carmel Church Tour 12:30 P.M. (Meet at the Polish Heritage Center) A fun day for the entire family!!!!!! |
Efforts are underway to
celebrate and preserve
the Church located in
Paplin. Placement on
the National historic
Register is being
pursued. Fundraising
for the preservation
effort has begun.
A Facebook page
dedicated to Paplin
has been established.
Please visit.
