University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Council 115 (Milwaukee, Wis.).

Records, 1915-1977.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 52

.4 cubic ft. (1 archives box)

ABSTRACT: Minutes, jubilee albums, and financial and insurance records of one of two Milwaukee, Wisconsin, councils of the Polish National Alliance of America (Zwiazek Narodowy Polski w Ameryce), a fraternal and mutual benefit organization for Americans of Polish ancestry. Although the collection is incomplete, it presents a partial history of Council 115, which was formed in 1905 to represent six individual PNA lodges in the northern part of Milwaukee County. The Council has promoted various civic, patriotic, and educational events, such as Polish language classes, a choir, and recruiting and financial donations for the World War II effort.

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. However, 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).

ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The Polish National Alliance of America (Zwiazek Narodowy Polski w Ameryce) had its origins at a meeting of Polish refugees and immigrants in Philadelphia on 15 February 1880. An organizational hierarchy of regional Districts, local councils and individual Lodges was later formed throughout the United States. The PNA is a fraternal and mutual benefit society for Polish Americans, selling insurance and providing sick benefits to members, conducting war relief efforts during World War II, and providing various educational, youth, and social programs for the Polish community.

Two PNA Councils were formed in Milwaukee, both of which were affiliated with District 14; Council 8 was organized in 1905, representing lodges in the southern part of Milwaukee County, while Council 115 represented lodges in the northern area. Council 115 was formed on 24 January 1915 by members of six lodges - Nos. 63, 179, 1031, 1476, 2100, and 2145. Later, two La Crosses PNA lodges were incorporated into the Council. Throughout its history Council 115 members have promoted patriotic, civic, educational, and cultural affairs. The Moniuszko Choir was formed and sponsored by Council 115; the Council also organized evening and Saturday Polish language classes, and Polish classes in the public schools. Council 115 aided the war effort during both world wars through recruiting and financial contributions.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Council 115 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1915-1977. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 52. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. Golda Meir Library. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Czechorski, Lorraine, ca. 1915- . Family papers, 1903-1971.(Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 58)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Council 8. Records, 1920-1980. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 42)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. District 14. Records, 1957-1979. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 65)

ACQUISITION: Presented by John and Aniela Knap of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1980, and 1981 (accession numbers M80-541, and M81-417).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in October 1981.

MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:

Friendly societies--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.
World War, 1939-1945--War work--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 52	BOX	FOLDER
Cash Book, 1915-1976	1	3
Insurance Records, 1938-1940 [volume 2]	1	3
Jubilee Albums, 1935, 1955, 1965 [volume 1]	1	2
Minute Book, 1926-1938	1	1
Minute Book, 1939-1957	1	2
Miscellaneous, 1944-1977, undated [volume 3]	1	3