University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Lukaszewski, Anthony J., 1882-1956.

Papers, 1923-1977.

Milwaukee Small Collection 123

.1 cubic ft. (4 folders)

ABSTRACT: Papers and photographs concerning Lukaszewski, a former editor of the Milwaukee Nowiny Polskie and other newspapers, radio broadcaster, actor, and active participant in Milwaukee dramatic societies. With John Landowski, Lukaszewski was a founding member of the Milwaukee Polish Opera Club in 1920; he also acted in many productions and wrote plays and poetry. The collection includes several photographs of Lukaszewski in costume and as an older man; photographs of the cast of Halka (both 1923 and 1925 versions), together with programs and the first English translation, written by Lukaszewski in 1949; news clippings, and copies of his writings. The material was donated by three of Lukaszewski's daughters.

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: Included with the papers are two folders of photographs, of Anthony Lukaszewski in costume for the opera Masked Ball (1927), as a young man, and as an older man, with his son, and in group shots. There is a cast photo from the Polish Opera Club 1923 production of Halka; and five photos from the film version in 1925, four of which portray Lukaszewski as Jontek, and one which shows two Lukaszewski daughters with others in the cast. Other photos depict Halka cast members, probably during a recent presentation of the opera; with an undated photo of Lukaszewski and others with Marshal Josef Pilsudski in Warsaw; and a colored photo of Ignac Lukaszewski and Milwaukee poet, Stasia Pokors.

Other papers in the collection consist of a play written by Lukaszewski for Catholic school children (1935), news clippings about him and his poetry; a program and handbill from the 1949 Chicago production of Halka, with an English score translated by Lukaszewski; a 1977 program from Halka; sheet music and lyrics, c. 1956, written by Lukaszewski; a handbill, c. 1933, from his unsuccessful campaign for county clerk; and a religious certificate.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE: Anthony J. Lukaszewski (also known as "Luke" Lukaszewski) was born in Poznan, Poland 2 June 1882 to Joseph and Mary (Kaczmarek) Lukaszewski. The family came to Manistee, Michigan, in 1892, and moved to Milwaukee one year later. Anthony attended St. Josaphat parochial school, Marquette Academy, and Marquette College, from which he received a B.A. in 1904. Subsequently Lukaszewski worked for the short-lived Dziennik Milwaucki, the Prudential Insurance Company, and in 1912 or 1913, joined the Nowiny Polskie as head of the advertising department. Lukaszewski later became the newspaper's business manager, managing editor, and general manager. He left the Nowiny Polskie in 1931 and joined the Milwaukee Journal editorial staff; he also took over the Sunday "Polish Hour" broadcast over WTMJ. Lukaszewski moved to Chicago at some time during the late 1930s or 1940s, where he continued his journalistic career with the Polish Daily Zgoda and other papers.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Lukaszewski was a co-founder in 1920 (with John Landowski) of the Milwaukee Polish Opera Club. The Opera Club was most famous for its production of the Polish national opera, Halka, in 1923. Lukaszewski portrayed Jontek Halka's peasant-sweetheart, in the 1923 production, and also in the subsequent 1925 film version. In addition, he was a regular member of the Opera Club company and appeared in most productions. Following his move to Chicago, Lukaszewski continued to perform in light operas.

Anthony Lukaszewski was also active in church and civic organizations, including the Holy Name Society and the Polish National Alliance. He lived in Chicago prior to his death in about 1956 at the age of 74. Among his survivors were his widow, four daughters, Rose Kedziora, Lucy Fabos, Helen Barnett, and Martha Floener; and five sons, Anthony Jr., Bernard, Leon, Thomas, and Rev. Boleslaw T. Lukaszewski.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Lukaszewski, Anthony J., 1882-1956. Papers, 1923-1977. Milwaukee Small Collection 123. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

Landowski, John C., 1879-1961. Papers, 1905-1961. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 78)

Pankiewicz, M. Emil (Mikolat Emil), 1909- . Papers, 1917-1980. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 71 and Milwaukee Micro Collection 36)

Polish Fine Arts Club (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1921-1949, 1978. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 63)

ACQUISITION: Presented by Rose Kedziora of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; by Helen Barnett of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and by Martha Floener of Chicago, Illinois in 1981 (accession numbers M81-91, M81-181, and M81-349).

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

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

Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Moniuszko, Stanislaw, 1819-1872. Halka.
Operas--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.

MILWAUKEE SMALL COLLECTION 123	FOLDER
Campaign Card, c. 1933	3
Certificate for Child Saving Union of Prayer, 1956	4
Halka Program, 1949	4
Halka Program, 1977	3
Halka Score, 1949	3
News Clippings, 1947, 1950	4
Obituaries, 1956	4
"Peek Into My Heart," Sheet Music by Luke Lukaszewski, 1956	4
Photographs, Miscellaneous, undated	2
Photographs, Plays and Theater, 1923, 1927, undated	1
Was It Luck, Play by A. J. Lukaszewski, 1935	4