Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum

The Kashubian Cultural Institute and Polish Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Winona’s Kashubian and Polish communities, while serving as a vibrant hub for cultural exchange and education. Our mission is to foster a deeper understanding of our shared history, traditions, and values, while providing a unique perspective on global events and the importance of multiculturalism in a diverse society.

Core Objectives:

1. Preservation and Promotion: To collect, conserve, and showcase the cultural artifacts, art, and historical records of Winona’s Kashubian and Polish communities, making them accessible to the public for education, research, and cultural enrichment.

2. Education: To provide educational programs, exhibitions, and events that teach Kashubian history, culture, and traditions, as well as the broader context of global events and their impact on our local community.

3. Cultural Exchange: To facilitate cultural exchange programs, workshops, and collaborations that promote understanding, tolerance, and respect among people of different backgrounds, fostering a more inclusive and pluralistic society.

4. Community Engagement: To serve as a community hub for Kashubian and Polish cultural events, festivals, and celebrations, welcoming visitors from Winona and beyond to experience our rich cultural heritage.

5. Interpretation and Contextualization: To provide contextualized exhibits and programming that highlight the significance of global events and their connection to local history, promoting a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between culture, politics, and society.

Values:

• Respect for diverse cultures and traditions
• Commitment to preserving our shared heritage
• Belief in the power of education to promote understanding and empathy
• Emphasis on community engagement and inclusivity
• Passion for sharing our stories with the world

By fulfilling this mission, the Kashubian Cultural Institute and Polish Museum aims to become a beacon of cultural understanding, a symbol of community pride, and a catalyst for positive change in Winona and beyond.

The Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum’s building was built in 1894 by the Laird-Norton Lumber Company for use as an office building next to their lumber campus just across from Second Street. After Laird-Norton relocated their office elsewhere in 1918, the Winona Printing Company purchased the building that same year. Several additions to the building were constructed over the years, namely in 1934 and 1944. Once the Winona Printing Company relocated their business over to 1117 East Mark Street, the building was vacant for only a few months before Father Paul J. Breza purchased the building in 1979. He intended the building to serve as a museum-storage area.

It took just over a year of hard work by Father Breza and the local community for the building to become a showcase for the history of Winona’s vibrant Kashubian Polish community.

Meanwhile, the Institute obtained recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1979. Its mission is to preserve the artifacts and stories that were quickly being lost. Over the past 40+ years, the Institute collected and preserved more than 8,000 items, with the collection growing to this day.