by The Polish Cultural Institute

The Kashubian people in Southeastern Minnesota are a small yet distinct group of people; small, because in a world-view they are few in number, emigrated from a small area in Poland, and settled in a relatively small area similar to the area they left; distinctive, because of the cohesiveness of the community, and moreso, because the Kashubian language is unusual even in Poland. This book describes the culture of the Kashubian community, illustrated with over 200 vintage images. It salvages a history that has almost been amalgamated into the swirling melting pot because of the difficulty of their language, the spelling of their names, and the lack of recognition of their efforts. From the first Polish-American fighters who gave their lives to the Civil War, to the lumber mills that offered so many new residents means of survival, these photographs visually outline the experiences of the earliest Kashubian immigrants, and a history nearly lost.

Author Bio: The Polish Cultural Institute, located in Winona, Minnesota, is home to the Polish Museum of Winona. Photographs from its collection are presented in this title, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the experiences of the first Kashubians to settle in Southeastern Minnesota. So, as the Kashubians say, Witamy Do Nas: Welcome to Us!