Footprints of Polonia: Polish Historical Sites Across North America

The
innumerable contributions of Polish immigrants and their descendants on
communities in North America can be seen on monuments, bridges, churches,
cultural centers, and cemeteries across the continent. These "footprints" of
Polonia (the Polish diaspora), commemorating towering events and figures from
history that are a source of pride among Polish Americans, are cataloged for
readers in this unique volume. From Revolutionary War heroes Tadeusz Kosciuszko
and Casimir Pulaski to more recent figures like Pope John Paul II and political
movements like Solidarity, statues and historic sites all over North America
pay homage to their contributions and importance.

A
version of this guide was originally published in 1992, and in the intervening
decades, many shifts have occurred in Polish American communities. The Polish
American Historical Association (PAHA) initiated work on this new volume with
the goal of highlighting new sites of Polish-interest and the important ways in
which Polish immigrants contributed to history, politics, arts and society.
This book explores key Polish-interest sites in forty-six U. S. states, eight
Canadian provinces and parts of Mexico and the Caribbean as well.

This
project is based on the input of volunteers from Polish organizations all over
North America, who helped identify the most important sites in their region and
provided summaries and pictures for over 200 entries. The guide is organized
alphabetically by states and provinces, with entries that describe the
historical significance of each site. Most entries also include a color photo.
Informative prefaces and introductions from the editor and other historians help
contextualize the culture of Polish immigrants and their deep, lasting
connection to Poland.

Footprints of Polonia
can serve as the perfect travel companion for anyone who wants to learn about
the rich history and heritage of the Polish diaspora. It is also an excellent
resource for Polish language schools and Polish American organizations who want
to learn more about and take pride in sites of interest in their area.