Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz -
4 Berwińskiego St.

Circumstances of opening of the museum

The Museum's resources

Perspectives of the development of the museum

The location of the museum

A list of useful addresses

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE OPENING OF THE MUSEUM:

• the manager of the Museum is Prof. Adam Sudoł from the Institute of History at Pedagogical College in Bydgoszcz,
• the main part of the Museum's resources come from the Poznański family archive .
• The uncommonly valuable, generous gift was given to Pedagogical College by, living in Montreal, ex-Consul's wife - Wanda Poznańska and their daughter-Magdalena, in October 1997,
• the site of the Museum - the most beautiful renovated villa at 4 Berwińskiego Street, given for that purpose by the President of Bydgoszcz - Doctor Henryk Sapalski,
• the whole process of organization accompaning the opening of the Museum was coordinated by the Rector of Pedagogical College in Bydgoszcz - Prof. Józef Banaszak.

THE MUSEUM'S RESOURCES:

• the collection of unique archival materials showing the history of diplomacy and Polish refugees, first of all the Consul - General of the Second Republic of Poland in France and Great Britain - Dr Karol Poznański,
• the collection is made of original documents (the first copies of which bear the date of June 3, 1917), unique manuscripts and last wills of Polish people of distinction,
• among hundreds of priceless documents are:
• an offprint of The Peace Treaty of Riga negotiated between The Republic of Poland and
• The Soviet Russia on the 18th of March, 1921,
• manuscripts written by Cardinal August Hlond, General Sikorski's wife, President Raczkiewicz,
• records with General Anders' speeches, among them there is one with the General's voice recorded on the 10th of May 1970 (two days before his death),
• ambassador Raczyński's correspondence,
• the priceless historical value has the wealthy collection of official and private photoes, collected by Karol Poznański in the years 1920 - 1970,
• in the future - according to Consul's wife wish - Wanda Poznańska - the Museum will receive pictures by Fałat, Boznańska and Wyspiański and the rich collection of engraving
• and furniture being the outfit of Consul's house,
• the adornments of the Museum are the marble bust of Wanda Poznańska, exhibited at Warsaw's art gallery "Zachęta" before World War II and the sculpture Hippika from 1936..

PERSPECTIVES OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUSEUM:

• Foreign Secretary of the Republic of Poland - Prof. Bronisław Geremek, who took the honourable patronage over the Museum, informed ambassadors and consuls about the opening of the Museum and there are proposals of giving documents and exibits illustrating the diplomatic activity of the Second Republic of Poland and the fate of Polish refugees after 1918,
• in reply to Foreign Secretary of the Republic of Poland appeal till the end of June 1998 came to Bydgoszcz the following information:
• from Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Stockholm - the list of the most important records concerning Poles in Sweden.
• from Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in the U.S.A. - the declaration of scientific co-operation on behalf of the Polish Museum in Chicago,
• from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Canada - a promise of help in increasing the Museum's collection,
• from the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Austria - a message about publishing the news concerning about the opening of the Museum in Bydgoszcz in a bulletin issued by the Consular Department of the Embassy in Vienna.,
• from Tanzania - an offer of giving the documents and memoirs connected with the 10,000 group of refugees from Poland,
• from Ankara - readiness of giving the archives of a prominent Polish diplomat - Michał Sokolnicki.
• from Tel Aviv - the offer of giving many documents connected with the activity of the Embassy from there.
• from New York - an offer of giving the rich collection coming from a private library,
• the most important aim of the Museum's activity is spreading historical knowledge in the matter of Polish diplomacy and refugees by:
• publishing the scientific and popularized scientific studies,
• publishing biographies and memoirs of Polish diplomats,
• elaboration of the source publications, including important printed sources, manuscripts, maps, correspondence etc.
• making it possible for the students of history writing their seminar works and master's theses and other people interested in the subject to have access to the Museum's resources.
• conducting wide popularizing activity:
• organizing exibits dedicated to emigrant politicians, diplomats, scientists, writers and artists.
• organizing meetings of teenagers and students with meritious Polish men of action from all over the world.

THE LOCATION OF THE MUSEUM:

• 4 Berwińskiego St. near by St. Vincent a Paulo's Basilica,
• best access due to Jagiellońska, Ogińskiego, Berwińskiego streets.

A LIST OF USEFUL ADDRESSES:

• Instytut Historii UKW, ul. Przemysłowa 34. 85-064 Bydgoszcz, tel. 052 342 42 34, fax 052 342 24 90
• the private telephone number of the manager of the Museum - Prof. Adam Sudoł 056 30 109
  the mobile number of Prof. Adam Sudoł 0601 63 20 47
• e - mail: muzeum@ukw.edu.pl