Polish Museum of America, Chicago

Committed to safeguarding the rich heritage of Chicago's thriving Polish community, which stands as the largest outside Warsaw, the well-established Polish Museum of America exhibits a fascinating array of art and artifacts. While many of the precious items have their roots in Poland, they also shed light on the Polish-American experience.

Among its notable possessions, the museum showcases the personal belongings of the renowned pianist, statesman, and former Polish prime minister, Ignacy Paderewski. Furthermore, you'll find several exhibits that were originally sent from Poland to be featured in the city's 1939 World's Fair, including a particularly striking display that inspired the creation of the towering thirty-foot-high stained-glass windows. Unexpectedly, due to the onset of World War II, these "temporary" exhibits became permanent fixtures, as they couldn't be safely returned.

Wander through the museum to explore an eclectic assortment of displays, from Polish folk costumes and military uniforms to intricately hand-carved Easter eggs and an eight-foot-long sleigh fashioned in the likeness of a dolphin. Be sure not to miss the monumental painting of Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski in the Great Hall, as well as the exquisite stained-glass masterpiece titled 'Symbol of Poland Reborn', crafted by Mieczysław Jurgielewicz.