Polish Heritage Society of Rochester

The Polish Heritage Society of Rochester preserves and promotes Polish culture through a comprehensive array of educational and cultural programs. Based in Rochester, NY, PHSR organizes lectures, presentations, art workshops and exhibits, musical performances, and concerts featuring young Polish Americans. The organization sponsors scholarships for senior high school students pursuing higher education, including a distinctive summer program of Polish Language and Culture at Torun University. PHSR's programming calendar culminates annually with Wigilia, the traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner, featuring authentic Polish carols and cultural displays. The society also facilitates genealogy webinars and research guidance for those exploring their Polish heritage. As a member of the Kosciuszko Foundation, the Polish American Congress, and the American Council for Polish Culture, PHSR connects Rochester's Polish community with broader national and international heritage organizations. The society supports special projects within Rochester's Polish community and has underwritten historical documentation such as "Shoulder to Shoulder: Polish Americans in Rochester, NY, 1890-2000." With ongoing initiatives including oral history projects, restoration of culturally significant sites, and expanded youth programming, PHSR serves as a vital cultural institution dedicated to celebrating Polish American contributions and maintaining traditions for current and future generations in the Rochester area.