I would like to share a short story I was honor to be part of, volunteering my time and my expertise....
Little known, hidden in the oaks in the center of Hartford,
a beautiful Art Deco building is on the National Preservation List -- The Polish National Home……. At some time - New England’s leading Polish community
center…
Originally built as a
private club in 1930, from the initiative of Poles that immigrated to the
United States and needed to feel home. Definitely, the founders did not splurge
money building this place, as still noticed in every detail. For many years, it
has been a pearl of Polish culture, a center of meetings, evenings filled with
music and dances.
Over the years the attendance decreased as more and more
people migrated from Hartford and the newer generation wanted more
sophisticated style.
BEFORE: Bar and Dining Room....
And, most likely, PNH would be closed by now, if not for the New Board of Directors who took the challenge to give PNH a second chance. With their initiative, the help of volunteers and generous donations from PNH Members and Friends (Restoration Fund of 2013-2014), the PNH got a renewed look and life, that has created opportunities for increased revenues.
Below- pictures from the bar area:
And here the pictures from the dining room (after):
What matters? To remember where we came from…. To do so, it
is important to keep the culture, to cherish it and to take care of the place
where the Polish culture can be cultivated.
There is still more to do.... The priority is the roof of the Polish National Home- to prevent more damage, it needs to be fixed before the winter.
Every little bit helps!
After all, it is … Our home…
~anna
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