Polish National Home celebrates 100 years

A sea of red, white and black patterned dresses whirled throughout the main room of the Polish National Home of Glen Cove on Saturday during a celebration of its 100th anniversary. The flowing outfits came from the Krakow region as dancers preformed to polka and polonaise music.
During the event, Corinne Kaufman shared her memories of weddings and studying the Polish language as a child at the National Home. She reconnected with them when she received an invitation to the centennial. From there, she contacted all the Polish people she knew so they too could join the once in a lifetime experience.
“It also rekindled my love of the Polish culture that I grew up in which gave me a strong platform for my life,” Kaufman said. “I am reminded of the Polish strength as a culture, their dedication to their heritage, their love of Polonia and America.”
The home came to fruition on Aug. 31, 1922 when 25 citizens from Glen Cove and the surrounding areas met to discuss purchasing the former St. Patrick’s Church, at 10 Hendrick Ave. The building was put up for sale for $6,000, but contributions and donations only reached $615. Selling 50 printed bricks from the previous church at $100 each raised the remaining amount. The newly formed organization — Polish National Home of Glen Cove and Vicinity, Inc. — received a charter on Nov. 21.
The home saw a large influx of membership in the 1930s, and faced many financial challenges with the Great Depression and the social and cultural shifts with the first and second World Wars. The home served as a safe haven for those escaping their war-torn homeland, helping immigrants become United States citizens, and assimilate to a new country.

The home still offers resources to their members of differing ages, working in tandem with the Paderewski Polish School in Glen Head. For over 90 years, the Polish school has kept the heritage of the country alive for new generations born in the United States for whom Polish is typically a second language. Students who attend the school typically take the Languages Other Than English exam to qualify for three- to six language credits which they can apply to their college requirements.
The home also offers scholarships to students preparing for higher education. First established in 1967, the scholarship was awarded to Barbara Buddy. This year’s scholarship was awarded to Glen Cove high school senior Alexander Piascik, who plans to attend Stony Brook University to study civil engineering.
Older members who may face language barriers in their daily lives can rely on workshops for help, including on purchasing and managing health insurance. Monika Zietek, a health insurance broker specializing in retirement, was invited to the home to instruct senior members about insurance coverage. She said she appreciates the community mindset the home offers its members, and added the home is always looking for experts in different industries to help older members.
The home remains a staple for many Polish people in Glen Cove and the surrounding areas. It serves as a center of Polish social and cultural life, hosting parties, family gatherings and holiday celebrations, which are at the center of the establishment.
To join, members must have at least one parent or grandparent who is Polish, and preferably live on the North Shore, although because membership has declined, residency is flexible.
Although the home has seen many challenging historic events, it continues to help its members maintain their cultural identity.
“The warmth of Polish culture made me feel secure, loved and a sense of belonging,” Kaufman said. “My world respected family, institutions and faith.”