UB Libraries adds Polish collections to digital archives

With Dyngus Day rapidly approaching, the UB Libraries have added two new Polish-themed collections to its growing digital archives.

One collection, “Album Pamiatkowe – Buffalo’s Polonia History,” features dozens of turn-of-the-century pictures from the city’s Polonia district, home to the annual post-Easter celebration.

Depicted are religious leaders, businessmen, local landmarks and more.

The images were first published in 1906 in a book that, when translated, is called “Souvenir album and commercial guide of the Polish settlements in the City of Buffalo, and neighboring villages in the State of New York.”

The collection contains a 546-page PDF version of the entire book.

The second collection, “Polish Peace Posters,” features 23 posters originally printed for the World Peace Council from 1948-78. Because they coincided with the Cold War, images of bombs and doves are aplenty.

“We took a look at our resources, many of which are rare, and identified some that we thought would be really useful online, available to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Molly D. Poremski, curator of the Libraries’ Polish Room.

“The Polish Peace Posters tell an important story of views in Poland and Europe during the Cold War,” she adds. “Meanwhile, the Album Pamiatkowe is an incredibly rich source of information regarding Buffalo’s Polonia district and history of Buffalo.”

The Polish Room, located in room 517 of Lockwood Library on UB’s North Campus, is open to the public by appointment only. For more information, contact Poremski at Poremski@buffalo.edu or 716-645-7750.