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The Collections
The Fronczak Room was established through the efforts of Dr. Walter M. Drzewieniecki, Professor Emeritus and the then Director of the East European and Slavic Studies Program.
The Fronczak Collection contains manuscripts, personal papers and memorabilia of Dr. Francis E. Fronczak. The papers, correspondence and documents in this collection reflect the concerns of Dr. Fronczak as a medical doctor, Commissioner of Public Health, and his activities as an activist for Polish and Polish-American issues, including his work as a member of the Polish National Committee in Paris.
Two other collections include the documents and memorabilia of Dr. Fronczak’s daughter, Dr. Eugenia Fronczak-Bukowski, and her husband, Dr. Edward Bukowski, who succeeded Dr. Fronczak as the Commissioner of Public Health.
Other collections include those of Dr. Walter M. Drzewieniecki, Capt. Jacob F. Swist, Stanislaw Skrzypek, and the Polish labor and social movement, “Solidarity,” radio cassette collection of Dr. Marek Zaleski. The Fronczak Room also contains books by Polish American local authors and anniversary publications of Polish American churches and organizations. The Fronczak Room is the local archive for Polish American history. It contains several paintings, Dr. Fronczak’s orders and decorations, and memorabilia.
The Curator, Wanda Slawinska, MSLS, MA, can be reached for an appointment either by phone: (716) 878-6208, fax: (716) 878-3163, or e-mail: slawinwm@buffalostate.edu.
Historical Background
Dr. Francis E. Fronczak, the son of Polish immigrants, was born in Buffalo, New York, on September 20, 1874. He became a lawyer and a medical doctor, serving as a general practitioner for the Polish community in Buffalo. Besides his private practice, he also held the position of Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Buffalo.
Active in causes related to the restoration of Polish independence, he became friends with several well known political figures. During World War I, he and Ignacy Jan Paderewski guided the Polish American Organization for the relief of Polish victims of the war. Between World War I and World War II, he represented the United States at many international medical conventions. He kept in close contact with Polish leaders such as Roman Dmowski and Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
In 1946 Dr. Fronczak was appointed to the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. His main assignment was to investigate the sanitary conditions in Poland. Dr. Fronczak died on December 27, 1955.
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Photographs
Curator Contact Information
Wanda Slawinska
slawinwm@buffalostate.edu
BUTL 111B
E. H. Butler Library
Buffalo State College
1300 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716)878-6208
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This page last updated 7/12/07
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