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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 was part of a unique planned community for early Polish immigrants. The Polish Roman Catholic Union of America established Polish Colonies throughout the United States. Central Nebraska was one of their successful efforts. Since the late 1800's, communities such as Farwell, Ashton, Paplin and Loup City have been the epicenter from which their descendants have spread out across the nation. Still, the area remains as having the highest concentration of Polish ethnicity in the nation. 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: Judy Welniakk, President 402-631-9660 Mike SpotanskiVice President Judene Jakubowski, 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. |
| Try out these special links: |
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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 |
| Growing response to the PHC building fund $100,000 pleadge drive. Earmarked cash and pledges are well over $10,000! Thanks to: Phil Maschka, William and Patricia Polski, Fr. David Rywalkder, Betty Keep, Andrew and Mary Krajewski, Gertrude Gorak, Ron and Sharon Riskowski, Don Sawicki, Virginia Pokorski, Don and Shirley Sok and the Sherman County Foundation. Mail in your pledge form today. With your help the new center addition will become a reality.Polish Heritage Center Capitol Fund Drive$100,000 Campaign Pledge Certificate Accept my Pledge for $ __________________. (Pledges will be collected at the time construction begins on the new center) Accept my tax deductible donation to be earmarked for the building fund in the amount of $_______ _ Name _______________________________ Address ______________________________ Phone _______________________________ E-mail _______________________________ Date _______________________________ |
Moving Forward...
The Sherman County Foundation has helped to kick-off a major
fundraising campaign for the Polish Heritage Center building
project. At their last meeting, they pledged $5,000 towards the
project when construction starts. Our goal during the next year is to
raise another $100,000 in outright donations or pledges towards
the project.
“With grant monies come strings and we want as few of those
strings as possible based on our most recent experience,”
according to PHC President, Larry Molczyk. In March, a pre-
application was made to the State of Nebraska for a Community
Development Block Grant. The grant would have paid for half the
cost of the center expansion and improvement. “It was only in the
fine print that we realized that we would literally have to deed our
center to the Village of Ashton in order to qualify!”
While expansion of the Center would certainly benefit the entire
community, only the Village could be the ultimate recipient of these
particular funds. The Village board was no more interested in
administering another grant at this time than we were to “give
away” what we had worked so hard to build during the past 14
years. But the experience brought home the downside of grant
money. “We need to be true to our mission and not the wishes of
another entity with it’s own agenda,” said Molczyk.
The need to pursue grant monies is a reality, but the more we can
rely on the resources of our members and supporters the better.
Through generous past support, we have moved forward in
enriching the cultural awareness of our members and the public. At
the same time, our investments have built a foundation for growth.
Currently, we have saved almost one fourth of the cost of the
project. We are still looking for sources of additional grant monies
but it is apparent that our greatest flexibility will come with having at
least 50% of the project cost on hand.
Please consider making your pledge towards the future of the
Center. Remember, that we are incorporated as a non-profit, tax
deductible organization. Please use the donation/pledge form
enclosed with this newsletter to help us reach our goal of $100,000.
The Sherman County Foundation has helped to kick-off a major
fundraising campaign for the Polish Heritage Center building
project. At their last meeting, they pledged $5,000 towards the
project when construction starts. Our goal during the next year is to
raise another $100,000 in outright donations or pledges towards
the project.
“With grant monies come strings and we want as few of those
strings as possible based on our most recent experience,”
according to PHC President, Larry Molczyk. In March, a pre-
application was made to the State of Nebraska for a Community
Development Block Grant. The grant would have paid for half the
cost of the center expansion and improvement. “It was only in the
fine print that we realized that we would literally have to deed our
center to the Village of Ashton in order to qualify!”
While expansion of the Center would certainly benefit the entire
community, only the Village could be the ultimate recipient of these
particular funds. The Village board was no more interested in
administering another grant at this time than we were to “give
away” what we had worked so hard to build during the past 14
years. But the experience brought home the downside of grant
money. “We need to be true to our mission and not the wishes of
another entity with it’s own agenda,” said Molczyk.
The need to pursue grant monies is a reality, but the more we can
rely on the resources of our members and supporters the better.
Through generous past support, we have moved forward in
enriching the cultural awareness of our members and the public. At
the same time, our investments have built a foundation for growth.
Currently, we have saved almost one fourth of the cost of the
project. We are still looking for sources of additional grant monies
but it is apparent that our greatest flexibility will come with having at
least 50% of the project cost on hand.
Please consider making your pledge towards the future of the
Center. Remember, that we are incorporated as a non-profit, tax
deductible organization. Please use the donation/pledge form
enclosed with this newsletter to help us reach our goal of $100,000.
