Polish American Encyclopedia Project

From the Polish American Forum: Polish American Encyclopedia Project

Every major European immigrant group—Italians, Jews, Germans, Irish and others—have published historical encyclopedias to inform researchers and the general public about the experiences and contributions of their groups within the mosaic of American society. African-Americans have their reference works, as do Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Catholics and others. Of all the major groups to populate North America, only the Poles remain without a serious historical encyclopedia to define their presence. It is time to remedy this enormous deficiency in the literature on the Polish experience in America.

At its meeting in January of 2007 the Board of Directors of the Polish American Historical Association approved initial plans and began soliciting information and contributors for the encyclopedia. Since that time, a publisher has been identified and a number of authors have committed to the project. I am writing to ask your help in supporting this project which will be important for passing along Polish American heritage to our children and their children, as well as the general public. Specifically, I ask your support in one or both of the following ways:

1. We are in the process of compiling a listing of potential entries – biographies of important Polish Americans and topical entries such as major organizations, events or cultural aspects (wigilia, oberek, etc.). You can help by sending your suggestions for potential entries to me at jpula@pnc.edu. Also, if you are interested in authoring entries, please let me know your field of expertise and the kind of entries you would be interested in.

2. As you can imagine, a project of this scope will be very expensive. To bring it to fruition, we need financial assistance. Please consider a tax deductible donation to PAHA to support this project. All donations are welcome, and will be acknowledged in the published encyclopedia. To contribute, make your check payable to “PAHA Encyclopedia” and send them to the Polish American Historical Association, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT, 60650. The Contributor level is $10 to $49; Sponsor, $50 to $99; Patron, $100 to $499; and Benefactor, $500 or more.

I hope you will consider supporting this important project to preserve and disseminate Polish American history and culture in any way that you can. Again, if you have questions or lists of suggested topics, I can be reached at jpula@pnc.edu.

James S. Pula, Ph.D.
Purdue University North Central
1401 South U.S. Highway 421
Westville, IN 46391-9542

Phone: (219) 785-5203
E-Mail: jpula@pnc.edu

Our own Karen Majewski (mayor of Hamtramck) is the Executive Director of PAHA.