Polish Center renovations under way

Date: 11/25/2009

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



CHICOPEE -- Although the official groundbreaking on the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning at Elms College took place Monday morning, the work to convert the historic building into a functioning museum began in August, according to the center's Executive Director, Stas Radosz.

Radosz explained to Reminder Publications the work started in August on the building should be completed in December and would bring the building at 33 South St. up to code. The renovations include technology upgrades, the installation of an elevator and handicap-equipped restrooms, a sprinkler system, air conditioning and humidity control. The exhibit rooms are also being renovated.

A new entrance to the building at its rear is also being completed, he added.

The historical integrity of the 140-year-old building is also being maintained, he said. He said the 18-room building served as a place for Polish immigrants to stay until they could find permanent quarters and that then-Congressman John F. Kennedy also stayed in the building in 1947.

When the Polish Center moved to the building from a room at Elms College it quickly outgrew, Radosz said the building was "ready to be demolished." Making the structure inhabitable cost $600,000 and those improvements included new plumbing and electrical systems, replacement windows and the installation of ceilings and walls.

Radosz said the mission of the center is to collect artifacts and materials depicting the Polish immigrant experience -- "the history of the common person." The collection includes 4,000 books and items such as a 100-year-old kielbasa maker.

"[The center] shows the story of the everyday person who came to this country and succeeded," he said.

The current improvements mark the first phase of renovations to the building. Radosz said the second phase would be to create a 125-seat concert hall, which would be constructed over two classrooms.

The center has raised $600,000 of the $700,000 of the funding needed for the current renovations and will look for an additional $700,000 for the concert hall and classrooms. Radosz said a $3 million capital campaign is underway to pay for the renovations and to provide a $1 million endowment "to ensure being here for 100 years."

"People have been very generous," Radosz said and praised the Lupa family of Ludlow and their company NL Construction for their help.

The center should be open to the public again next month.

For more information, log onto www.polishcenter.net or call 592-0001.