The Kosciuszko Foundation - Philadelphia Chapter

Current News

The Fourth Annual Summer Concert of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation with Silent Auction, and Reception

Recital featuring:
Jacqueline Noparstak, Soprano,
2008 winner of the Kosciuszko Foundation Sembrich Voice Competition - view artist's web site.

accompanied by
LeAnn Overton, Piano

Friday evening, August 15, 2008
Doors open: 7:30 pm
Concert begins: 8:00 pm

Ethical Society Building
Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Discounted parking at garage at 1845 Walnut Street

For ticket information, please contact:
Alfred J. Wolanin, III: 267-987-5347

Click here to view the invitation (pdf 270 KB)

Jacqueline Noparstak

Silk Against Bullets: The Birth of Modern Soft Armor

Lecture by Sławomir Łotysz, Ph.D.
Charles C. Price Fellow at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. Professor at the University of Zielona Góra, Poland.
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 7 pm.

About Dr. Łotysz:
Dr. Łotysz is a graduate of the Institute for the History of Science at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, Poland. The author of nearly fifty articles, his research interests include the history of transportation, history of technology and inventiveness, the contributions of Polish engineers abroad, and the history of architecture (particularly industrial). More information is available at: http://www.lotysz.webd.pl/

About the lecture:
Decades before Kevlar was invented, Casimir Żegleń, a Polish-born priest living in Chicago, developed and started selling a bulletproof vest made of silk. At that time, it was the lightest and the easiest to wear. First and foremost, Żegleń’s vest was the most reliable and the only true bulletproof vest on the market. Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, but Żegleń’s vest wouldn’t have been as resistant as it was if it hadn’t been woven in a peculiar way – a way developed by this ingenious monk.

Click here to see the flyer (164KB PDF).
To view the pictures click here.

Click on images to view more pictures:

Sławomir Łotysz, Ph.D

Lecture by Sławomir Łotysz, Ph.D

The Philadelphia Chapter extends warm congratulations to Marian A. Kornilowicz Esq., a Philadelphia resident and Chapter member, on his election to the Kosciuszko Foundation Board of Trustees.

Click here for more information.

Chapter members congratulate Marian Kornilowicz, Esq. during
the February 2008 Chapter meeting, held at Mr. Kornilowicz's office in
Center City, Philadelphia

Greetings!

Welcome to the website of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation! It is our hope that at this website you will learn more about the good work of our Chapter in fulfilling the mission of the Kosciuszko Foundation and promoting a deeper appreciation of Polish culture in our geographic area.

The Philadelphia Chapter sponsors and hosts a variety of Polish cultural events throughout the year. Two of our much-loved annual events are the Polish Poetry Reading of the Overbrook Poets Society and our Christmas Concert. In the past, the Chapter has also hosted lectures and joined with other Philadelphia Polonia organizations in supporting projects of Polish interest. For example, in 2005, we helped to welcome the Szczecin Technical University Choir as well as the Wroclaw Symphony Orchestra to Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia area is home to thousands of Poles and Americans of Polish descent. We are fortunate that the City of Brotherly Love is also home to many monuments and sites commemorating the rich contributions of Poles to American society. We invite you to explore the photo gallery, “Polish Philadelphia” and take a virtual tour of some of these places.

We hope that you enjoy visiting our website and we warmly invite you to become a member of the Kosciuszko Foundation!

Sincerely,

Teresa G. Wojcik
President, Philadelphia Chapter
June, 2005