Polish Falcons of America Collection

An inventory of its records at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Administrative History of Polish Falcons of America

The Polish Falcons of America is a fraternal benefit society dedicated to physical fitness, personal development, and the preservation of Polish culture. The organization stresses the Latin maxim of "mens sana in corpore sano" or a sound body in a sound mind. The American organization has its roots in Poland where the first Nests or lodges were organized there in 1867. The Falcon is a symbol of the independence, strength, courage, and prowess that the group hopes to instill in its members, especially young people.

Felix L. Pietrowicz established the first American Nest in Chicago, Illinois on June 12, 1887. The first national organization was chartered in Illinois with the title of Alliance of Polish Turners of the United States of America on May 1, 1894. The group joined the Polish National Alliance as an autonomous department in 1905. The organization, since renamed the Polish Falcons of America, is now chartered in Pennsylvania with headquarters in Green Tree. The Falcons have sponsored activities similar to that of the Boy Scouts of America, but have also included intensive studies in Polish language, culture, and heritage along with military drill and training in the use of weapons. Some leaders once hoped that young Falcons could form the core of an army that would fight to free Poland in Europe and many volunteers were drawn from its ranks, especially in World War I.

Scope and Contents

The Polish Falcons of America Collection includes published material produced by the Polish Falcons, a newspaper clipping, and one souvenir book published for the Slovak Catholic Sokol.

Bibliography

See the Polish Falcons of America website for more information at http://www.polishfalcons.org.

Detailed Description/Box and Folder Listing