The American Center of Polish Culture
(now known as The National Polish Center)History of the Center
Founded in 1989 as an initiative of the American Council for Polish Culture, the American Center of Polish Culture was established in October of 1991 in the heart of Washington, D.C. A milestone in the center's history was a major contribution from Alexander and Patricia Koproski, who were fund-raising chairpersons and also serve on the board of directors. Donations and bequests came from across the country, especially from Americans of Polish descent.
In November 1991, the center's board of directors chose Kaya Mirecka-Ploss as the center's first executive director. Ms. Ploss, then president of the American Council for Polish Culture, took on the monumental task of renovating, decorating, and furnishing the building to its present elegance. Albin Obal, then chairman of the Board and a well-known businessman and philanthropist, generously supported the Center and its programs throughout his tenure on the Board (1989-2005).
Gradually the center has developed a membership base, which has faithfully contributed to the support of the center's programs. The programs have included numerous concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and seminars. The center staff also conducts educational programs for local children. Ms. Ploss devoted herself to organizing a "Summer of Dreams" vacation program which hosted children from Poland for a two-week visit to the United States.
In September of 2005, the board of directors appointed Dr. Monika Krol as the executive director of the Center, following the retirement of Ms. Ploss. Dr. Krol brings to the Center curatorial and managerial expertise from the United States and Europe. She received her graduate education from University of California Davis and Los Angeles (UCLA) and since then her professional career has been devoted to her passion for art and culture. Her focus will be on strengthening the center's membership base and on developing interesting programs in partnership with other cultural institutions.
The American Center of Polish Culture has organized a number of testimonial dinners to honor persons whose life and work made significant contributions to the United States and to Poland. We will continue this tradition, which in the past has honored Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, Gen. Alexander Haig, Dr. Jan Karski, Jolanta Kwasniewska, and Lech Walesa. On November 12, 2005, the center's 2005 Founders Appreciation Dinner honored Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur for helping to establish the World War II Memorial in Washington. The dinner also recognized past and present board members and major contributors who have supported the center during its first twenty years.
From: American Center for Polish Culture (2007)