University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Bolan, Jerome E., 1909-2004.

Papers, 1932-1950.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 66

.8 cubic ft. (2 archives boxes)

ABSTRACT: Papers, primarily consisting of scripts and programs from plays, of a Milwaukee Polish American educator and writer. While teaching at Milwaukee high schools, Bolan formed several student Polish clubs, for which he wrote and selected Polish-language plays for presentation; several of the original scripts are in the collection. Also included is a scrapbook of clippings from Polish language newspapers regarding his teaching career in Milwaukee, the activities of the Polish clubs in the Milwaukee area, and reviews of the plays. In addition, there are two hand- painted letters of appreciation for clothing sent to Polish school children by the American Red Cross during World War II, miscellaneous Polish travel brochures and literature from the 1930s, and a poster.

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).

SCOPE AND CONTENT: The papers of Jerome Bolan primarily illustrate his involvement with the various Polish clubs which he founded. The collection includes a folder of programs from performances, 1932-1941, of plays and dance events; with several folders of typewritten and handwritten scripts of the plays. In a few instances more than one copy of a script is present, showing the revisions and annotations made during the course of production. Although the authors of the plays are not listed, it is likely that Bolan wrote some of the scripts. Also present are printed play scripts, apparently also used in the Polish clubs' performances. All of the plays are in Polish.

Other items in the collection include two hand-painted letters of appreciation for clothing sent to Polish school children by the American Red Cross during World War II; miscellaneous Polish travel brochures and literature from the 1930s; two issues of The Seraphic Student, the student publication from Bolan's alma mater, St. Bonaventure Seminary; and a poster from a Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performance with Jerzy Bojanowski conducting.

Additionally, there is a scrapbook of clippings (1932-1950) from Polish language newspapers that document the activities of Polish clubs in the area--especially the Copernicus Club and the Eaglet Club. The clippings include descriptions and reviews of some of the productions and articles concerning Bolan's teaching career.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Dr. Jerome Bolan, educator and writer, was a native of Milwaukee, where he was educated at St. Josaphat Parochial School. He received a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, an M.A. from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. (1953) from the University of Wisconsin in Madison; the latter two degrees were in school administration. He also studied psychology and testing at Marquette University, and had attended St. Bonaventure Minor Seminary, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, for two years, where he learned Polish. In 1935 Bolan was awarded a Kosciuszko Foundation stipend to study at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. In 1953 he received several offers to teach at the university level, and subsequently changed his surname from Bolanowski to Bolan. Bolan remained at Bay View High School, Milwaukee, where he had taught Polish, Latin, and mathematics since the 1930s. Bolan also taught at Walker Junior High School, Kosciuszko High School, and Audubon Junior High School, where he was assistant principal at the time of his retirement in 1980. Bolan is perhaps best known in the community for his Polish language textbook, A New Polish Grammar (1st edition, 1938), which was illustrated with examples drawn from the Milwaukee Polish community, including Bay View High School. The book has had seven editions, the latest published in 1962.

While teaching in Milwaukee high schools, Bolan organized several Polish clubs for the students. In 1934 he initiated Klub Orleta (the Eaglets Club) at Bay View, to stage dances and dramas, to organize sports events and hikes, and to sew costumes for folk dance performances. About the same time he organized Klub Oswiaty (the Education or Enlightenment Club) in West Allis; club activities were held at the Horace Mann School and the Sali Wawel on 60th and Becher Streets. Bolan also started the Klub Przyjazn (Friendship Club) in West Allis. Bolan began the Klub Sposobnosci (Opportunity Club) on Milwaukee's north side; members met at the North Pier Street School and Pulaski Hall. The most active of the groups was Klub Orleta, which usually had forty to fifty members, and performed plays in Polish. Klub Orleta performed at the Wisconsin Centennial in 1948.

In addition to his other activities, Bolan acted with the St. Adalbert Drama Circle, and occasionally played saxophone with Max Skajewski's polka band. Bolan wrote seven or eight plays, all in Polish, for the student drama clubs with which he worked. He also chose all of the plays performed, with the intention of providing a "vivacious" performance.

Bolan passed away on February 18, 2004.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Bolan, Jerome E., 1909-2004. Papers, 1932-1950. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 66. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTION:

Bojanski, Jerzy, 1893- . Papers, 1967-1979. (Milwaukee Small Collection 118)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Dr. Jerome E. Bolan of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1981 (accession numbers M81-342, and M81-343) and in 2001 (accession number M2003-129).

PROCESSING: Processed by Menzi Behrnd-Klodt in January 1982.

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

Polish Americans--Education.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Polish drama--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 66	BOX	FOLDER
Hand-Painted Letters to the American Red Cross from Polish School Children, 1940	1	1
Miscellaneous, 1933-1937	1	2
Polish Travel Literature, 1933, undated	1	3
Poster, undated	1	24
Programs, 1932-1941	1	4
Scrapbook, 1932-1950	2
Scripts, undated	1	22
Scripts, Dom Warjatow, undated	1	6
Scripts, Fragments and Other Writings, undated	1	5
Scripts, Goscie z Ogloszenia Czyli Falszywy Adres, undated	1	7
Scripts, Klopoty Panny Zosi, undated	1	8
Scripts, Lekarz Mimo Woli, undated	1	9
Scripts, Macocha, undated	1	10
Scripts, Maz Wypozyczony, undated	1	11
Scripts, Oj Ten Jacus, undated	1	12
Scripts, Papus i Synus, undated	1	13
Scripts, Proszek i Pigulka, undated	1	14
Scripts, Stryj Przyjechal, undated	1	15
Scripts, To Polityka, undated	1	16
Scripts, Wicek i Wacek, undated	1	17
Scripts, Za Pieniadze, undated	1	18
Scripts, Zabojstwo Ksiedza, undated	1	19
Scripts, Zamrozona Tesciowa, undated	1	20
Scripts, Zmartwychwstanie Wojtka, undated	1	21
The Seraphic Student, 1937	1	23