A reproduction of a Polish country cottage is found on the third floor. Its architecture is not representative of any particular regional style. However, most artifacts were acquired from the vicinity of Białystok in northeastern Poland. It’s important to note that in Poland, due to the country suffering destruction through multiple wars and losing much of its physical culture and heritage, the country requires a review for items made before 1950 to be removed. All the items on display are authentic to the period and were shipped directly from Poland with permission.

 

An ambitious project such as this obliges us to provide a story to go with it. We imagine that our cottage was first erected in the early 1860s. We see three generations complete their lives’ journey within the walls of this two-room home—making changes to the cottage throughout the years, until the last generation leaves for America in 1921. The inhabitants of the cottage lived in more favorable conditions than most country folk. They were, overall, self-reliant, producing much of the food and goods they needed for their family of perhaps seven individuals.

 

This reproduction of a Polish cottage is intended to introduce visitors of all ages to country life in Poland as it once was. We hope that for many the experience will be both educational as well as spiritual.