University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archives Department.

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. District 14.

Records, 1957-1979.

Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 65

.4 cubic ft. (1 archives box)

ABSTRACT: Records of the regional district of the Polish National Alliance of America (Zwiazek Narodowy Polski w Ameryce) with includes Wisconsin, and of the district's women's division. All of the Milwaukee area lodges and both Milwaukee councils are affiliated with District 14. Records in this collection have been donated by two commissioners of District 14, Gladys Podkomorski, who donated all of the albums and pamphlets, and June Grudichak, who gave the remaining items. Included are partial records of the District and of the Women's Division (Wydzial Kobiet) of the District. General District records consist of a few convention, bowling tournament, and other programs, including one from the first PNA bowling tournament, organized by Mrs. Podkomorski and held in Milwaukee in 1957. There is a folder of mandates from both general and Women's Division meetings, listing names of lodge members selected to attend state and district conventions; and minutes and papers of District-wide and state conventions, and of meetings of the Women's Division. There is also an incomplete run of programs from the Annual Debutante Ball, sponsored by the Women's Division, correspondence and other papers of the Division, and miscellany consisting of a PNA coloring book and brochure concerning famous Poles. Some of the records are in Polish.

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) was organized by Polish refugees and immigrants in Philadelphia in 1880. The purpose of the new group was to provide mutual support and cultural activities. Membership in the Polish National Alliance is open to men and women "who are by birth, extraction, consanguinity or affinity, of Polish, Lithuanian, Ruthenian, or Slovak nationality." There is a juvenile division for those under 16. As a fraternal and mutual benefit society, the PNA sells life insurance, provides death and sick benefits, promotes social and cultural events, and raises funds for local and PNA charities.

Individual lodges or groups were founded in urban areas with Polish populations throughout the country; these lodges were grouped into councils, and both lodges and councils were affiliated with regional districts or circuits. The first PNA group in Milwaukee, Lodge 14, was organized in 1880. The two Milwaukee councils, 8 and 115, and all individual lodges, belong to District 14, which encompasses Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, northern Michigan, North Dakota, and parts of Canada. A national PNA Women's Division was formed in 1907, with its Milwaukee counterpart organized in 1932. Each district has two commissioners, one man and one woman; the female commissioner automatically becomes the head of the Women's Division. For many years the female commissioner of District 14 was Gladys Podkomorski, who was very active in organizing local lodges, youth activities, and the PNA bowling tournaments. She was succeeded by Virginia Posnanski, who in turn was followed by June Grudichak.

COLLECTION CITATION: This collection should be cited as:

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. District 14. Records, 1957-1979. Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 65. Wisconsin Historical Society. Milwaukee Area Research Center. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.

RELATED COLLECTIONS:

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

Podkomorski, Gladys. Papers, 1942-1944. (Milwaukee Small Collection 95)

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. Council 115 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1915-1977. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 52)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 14 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1937-1974. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 57)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 54 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1932-1981. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 46)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 365 (Dr. Karol Marcinkowski Society). Records, 1928-1979. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 44)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 1476 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1912-1975. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 17)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 1510 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1912-1959. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 75)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 2138 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1921-1976. (Milwaukee Small Collection 100)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 2159 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1921-1993. (Milwaukee Manuscript Collection 43)

Polish National Alliance of the United States of North America. Lodge 2201 (Milwaukee, Wis.). Records, 1934, 1942-1975. (Milwaukee Small Collection 96)

ACQUISITION: Presented by June Grudichak of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and by Gladys Podkomorski of Greenfield, Wisconsin in 1980 (accession numbers M81-17, and M81-39).

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:

Friendly societies--Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
Milwaukee (Wis.)--History--Sources.
Polish Americans--Wisconsin--Milwaukee--History.

MILWAUKEE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 65	BOX	FOLDER
Convention, Bowling Tournament, and Other Programs, 1957, 1962, 1964, 1975, 1978	1	1
Mandates, 1971, 1974-1975	1	2
Minutes and Papers of Conventions and Joint Meetings, 1970-1979	1	3-4
Women's Division, Annual Debutante Ball, Programs, 1961-1977	1	5
Women's Division, Correspondence and Other Papers, 1969-1974	1	6
Women's Division, Minutes and Papers of Meetings, 1960-1969	1	6
Women's Division, Minutes and Papers of Meetings, 1971-1976	1	7
Miscellaneous, 1976, undated	1	8