The Polonia Trail is dedicated to showcasing important historic sites throughout Western New York that have significance to the Polish American Community.
The Polonia Trail enables individuals to physically or virtually explore architecture, clubs, meetinghouses. churches, cemeteries, and other places that figured prominently within Western New York’s Polish American Community and learn about the people who shaped it. Further, it allows individuals to discover the rich history of Polonia as it began in Buffalo, New York, where every step tells a unique story.
The Polonia Trail is the vision of two prominent Western New York Polish Americans , James L. Ławicki II and Andrzej D. Gołębiowski. Following a family vacation to the city of Boston, Massachusetts Ławicki was inspired. While there he and his family spent time exploring the city’s Freedom Trail, which highlights sites of relevance to the American Revolution.
His experience with the Freedom Trail inspired Ławicki to create a similar trail highlighting Polish American sites throughout Western New York. Together the two friends met over coffee on a Saturday morning and conceived a plan to make their vision of a Polonia Trail a reality. With a plan formulated, the two set out to seek funding to make their vision come to life. Because of their persistence, dedication, and love of their Polish heritage the Polonia Trail exists today for all to enjoy!
The Polonia Trail is supported with funding from Erie County, the City of Buffalo, and the Canisius College Permanent Chair of Polish Culture. It is hosted by the Polish American Congress, Western New York Division, Inc. (a 501c3 charitable organization) and The Polish Legacy Project Buffalo.
The Polish American Congress is a National Umbrella Organization, representing at least 10 million Americans of Polish descent and origin. Its membership is comprised of fraternal, educational, veteran, religious, cultural, social, business, political organizations and individual membership. The Polish American community prides itself on its deeply rooted commitment to the values of family, faith, democracy, hard work and fulfillment of the American dream. It is present in every state and virtually every community in America, on various social, business and economic levels. James L. Ławicki II presently serves as Division President.
The Polish Legacy Project is an organization dedicated with the mission of collecting, studying, interpreting, displaying, and celebrating evidence of Polish life in western New York for the benefit of Polish Americans and the community at large. Andrzej D. Gołębiowski presently serves as President of the Polish Legacy Project Buffalo.
