New Polish Center Fulfills A Longstanding Dream

With over 200,000 residents of Polish heritage in southeastern Wisconsin, the new Polish Center of Wisconsin is a welcome addition to the landscape. Located at 6941 South 68th Street in Franklin, the $3.6 million facility serves as headquarters for Polish Fest and as a gathering place for other Polish organizations, friends and families.

The Polish Center of Wisconsin is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or you can visit via the Internet at www.polishfest.org

The 46 acre site was purchased in 1987 with the intent of building. After several attempts to get the project off the ground, things came together under Judge Michael Skwierawski's leadership and the design by Uihlein Wilson Architects together with Professor Tom Hubka of the UWM School of Architecture.

The entrance to the Polish Center leads directly into the building's Great Hall. The Hall's herringbone oak flooring is a typical feature found in traditional Polish country manor houses.

The building resembles a traditional Polish country manor house, with a double gambrel roof, an immense Great Hall, and traditional herringbone oak flooring. Also included are a library, kitchen, banquet, bar and meeting facilities, and administrative and staff offices.

As Cindy Rewolinski, the Center's Campaign Director, explained, most Polish centers elsewhere are in rented spaces or renovated old buildings. "I don't know of any others that have been built from the design stage on up," she said. 

"We couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out. Everyone is very proud and excited about it," Rewolinski said. "We're impressed with the quality workmanship and especially pleased with Beyer's understanding of the special needs of nonprofit organizations."

This corner sitting area is part of the East Banquet Room, underwritten by the Polish Army Veterans Association. The room accommodates banquets for up to 90 people.

Since the building's opening last August, it has drawn local, regional and even national interest, including a photographic exhibit sponsored by the Polish Consulate in Chicago for the Solidarity Movement's 20th anniversary.

The Center has a flourishing Saturday calendar of performances, weddings, meetings, and other events for 2001. It also offers resources to help visitors trace their ancestry, including classes sponsored by the Polish Genealogical Society beginning in March.

Architects to Speak at Center in March 

Join Del Wilson of Uihlein Wilson Architects and UWM architecture professor, Tom Hubka, major designer of the new Polish Center of Wisconsin as they share their expertise on the traditional Polish manor house. Their slide presentation and tour of the new facility will be held Wednesday, March 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $18 and includes the lecture, tour and hors d'oeuvres. The Center is located at 6941 S. 68th Street, Franklin.