Deeply involved in the Polish community in Boston, Elaine (Proborszcz) Dobrowski (1923-2009) was the wife of attorney Francis R. Dobrowksi and mother of two children. She was a resident of Dorchester and Milton, Mass., and a long-time member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in South Boston.
Compiled by Elaine Dobrowski, this collection of photographs, printed materials, and news clippings documents the Polish community in Boston from the 1930s through the 1990s. The collection includes photographs of the Kosciusko Monument in the Boston Public Gardens, a children's dance festival, and a Polish Women's circle outing at Blinstrub's Village as well as images of parades, receptions, and conventions.
Ognisko Polek, outing to Blinstrub's Village nightclub, 1950
Deeply involved in the Polish community in Boston, Elaine (Proborszcz) Dobrowski was the wife of attorney Francis R. Dobrowksi and mother of two children. A resident of Dorchester and Milton, Mass., she was a long-time member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in South Boston.
Dobrowski was born in Quincy, Mass., on Sept. 5, 1923, to immigrant parents, Stefanja and Deonizy Proborszcz. As a child she honed her interest in Polish culture and history through participation in Polish Saturday School, and as a young woman, she helped found the Boston Krakowianki Club, and took an active part in relief work for Poland and Polish displaced persons during and after the Second World War. Her commitments to Polish cultural organizations only grew after the war, when she helped to found the Krakowiak Polish dancers and served as an officer in several organizations, including the Massachusetts Federation of Polish Women's Clubs, the Kosciusko Foundation, and the sodality of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church. She died on Mar. 28, 2009, and is buried in Milton Cemetery.
Scope of collection
Compiled by Dobrowski, this collection of photographs, printed materials, and news clippings documents the Polish community in Boston during the 1930s through the 1990s. Includes photographs of the Kosciusko Monument in the Boston Public Gardens, a children's dance festival, and a Polish Women's circle outing at Blinstrub's Village as well as images of parades, receptions, and conventions.
Inventory
Photographs
ca.1945-1985
Folder 1
Photograph: Children's dance festival, Boston
ca.1985
4 images
Photograph: Gov. Francis Furcolo
undated
Photograph: Kosciusko Monument, Boston Public Gardens
ca.1945
Photograph: Kosciusko Monument, Boston Public Gardens
1968 Feb.
Photograph: Ognisko Polek (Polish Women's Circle) outing at Blinstrub's Village Nightclub
1950
Photographs (oversized)
ca.1935-1957
Folder 2
Photograph: 350th anniversary of the arrival of the first Polish immigrant to the United States and Polish government citation to Sen. John F. Kennedy, Blinstrub's Village
1957 June 8
Photograph: Banquet in honor of Gen. Wladislaw Anders, Boston, Mass.
1956 June 2
Photograph: Convention of Polish Roman Catholic church choirs in Holyoke, Mass.
1940
Photograph: Parade in honor of Revolutionary hero Casimir Pulaski
1935 Oct. 20
Photograph: Polish Easter Swieconka, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church hall
1949 Apr. 20
Photograph: Reception for Fred A Moncewicz, Auditor of Massachusetts
1949
Photograph: Testimonial banquet in honor of Father Justin, Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, South Boston
1940
Photograph: Testimonial dinner for Rev. Peter L. Bartuha, St. Mary's Hall, South Boston
1936 June 7
Photograph: Tow. K. Kulaskiego, Gr. 398 Polish National Alliance, Macierz Polska
