Come Learn About Polish & Kashubian History
The Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum of Winona educates visitors from across the country about the 150-year history of Polish immigrants. These immigrants came from the northern region of Poland known as Kashubia.
The museum’s building was built in 1890 by the Laird-Norton Lumber Company. Rev. Paul J. Breza purchased the building in 1970. He intended the building to serve as a museum-storage area. It took six years of hard work to become a showcase for the history of Winona’s vibrant Kashubian Polish community. Meanwhile, in 1979, the Institute obtained recognition as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to preserve the artifacts and stories that were quickly being lost. Over the past 41 years, the Institute collected and preserved more than 8,000 items.
Please note: The Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum is closed December 15, 2024-Early March 2025. Watch for 2025 season hours in the coming months.
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