The Polish Room at Wilkes University | Preserving Polish Heritage in Wilkes-Barre
The Polish Room at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA honors Polish settlers who arrived in the Wyoming Valley during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. Located on the second floor of the Farley Library, the room serves as a memorial and cultural space. It remains open to visitors during regular library hours.
History & Design
Established in 1950, the Polish Room was created to celebrate Polish culture, history and contributions to Northeastern Pennsylvania. The space was designed by Stefan Mrozewski, a renowned engraver and Kozciuszko Foundation grantee. He used the Zakopane style, inspired by Poland’s Tatra Mountain region. Custom furniture was carved by Stefan Hellersperk of Dallas, Pennsylvania. The room features a stone floor, painted beams and tapestry-covered walls. A carved wooden eagle, Poland’s national symbol, sits above the fireplace.
Artifacts & Cultural Legacy
The Polish Room houses furniture, books, paintings, dolls and traditional pisanki eggs. Artifacts include an antique Warsaw samovar and a 16th-century map of Poland. Paintings highlight Polish and Polish-American historical figures. The collection also includes traditional clothing, goblets and handcrafted wood carvings. The Polish Room Committee supports cultural education and offers annual scholarships to students of Polish descent.
The Polish Room at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre preserves Polish heritage through education, artifacts and community remembrance.
