Did you know that the Józef Piłsudski Monument arrived in New York as early as 1939? Created by Stanisław Ostrowski, it became one of the key elements of the Polish pavilion at the World's Fair. The monument you see today is more than just a bronze statue—it is a symbol of the struggle for freedom, determination, and the survival of a nation in difficult times. Its history dates back to the 1939 World's Fair, a prestigious event aimed at showcasing the latest technological and cultural achievements of participating countries.
The 1939 World's Fair, held at Flushing Meadows in New York, was not only an opportunity to present innovations but also a chance for each country to display its best offerings. Poland, as one of the participants, chose to exhibit several symbolic works that highlighted its modernity, strength, and rich cultural heritage. Among them was the Józef Piłsudski Monument—an artwork by Stanisław Ostrowski, a prominent Polish sculptor, who masterfully captured in bronze the charisma and determination of the Marshal.
The Polish pavilion at the World's Fair was officially opened on May 3, 1939, the anniversary of the adoption of the May 3rd Constitution—one of the most important documents in Polish history. The pavilion housed not only works of art but also modern inventions and technologies that were meant to show Poland as a dynamically developing country, ready to face the challenges of the future.
The design of the Polish pavilion was entrusted to distinguished architects Jan Cybulski and Jan Galinowski. Their creation combined modern architecture with traditional elements, aiming to attract visitors’ attention and emphasize Poland's significance on the international stage. The pavilion was a harmonious blend of modernity and history, where technological achievements coexisted with works of art.
The centerpiece of the Polish pavilion was a monumental statue of King Władysław Jagiełło, proudly welcoming guests in front of the building. This impressive monument, symbolizing Poland's great past, was complemented by other valuable exhibits such as the PM 35 locomotive—a symbol of Polish industry—paintings, memorabilia from Wawel Castle, modern furniture, important historical documents, and unique artistic handicrafts.
However, the story of the Józef Piłsudski Monument does not end with the World's Fair. The outbreak of World War II dramatically changed the course of events. Poland was attacked, and many of the exhibits presented at the fair could not return to the country, including the Piłsudski Monument. Since returning to Poland was impossible, the monument was sent to the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America—an institution dedicated to preserving Polish heritage abroad.
The Józef Piłsudski Monument is thus not only a work of art but also a witness to the turbulent history of the 20th century. It survived wartime, became a symbol of Poland's independence and its efforts to maintain sovereignty. It also serves as a testament to how deeply rooted the memory of Józef Piłsudski is in Polish national identity, even thousands of kilometers away from home.
Today, as you look at this monument, you see not only the figure of a great leader but also the history of a nation that never ceased to fight for its freedom. This monument, though far from Polish soil, remains a living symbol of Polishness, reminding us of the spirit and resilience that so strongly characterized Józef Piłsudski and the nation he led.
Stanisław Kazimierz Wacław Ostrowski – The Creator of the Monument
Stanisław Kazimierz Wacław Ostrowski, born in 1879 in Warsaw, began his artistic education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kraków, where he studied under the guidance of Alfred Daun and Konstanty Laszczka. After completing his studies, Ostrowski continued his education in Lviv, Florence, and Rome, which greatly influenced his artistic development. He also lived and worked in Paris, where in 1910 he founded the Society of Polish Artists. Ostrowski's work was strongly inspired by the ideas of the Young Poland movement and the works of Auguste Rodin.
Ostrowski’s style is characterized by soft contours and rich textures, creating impressionistic light and shadow effects. He often contrasted meticulously crafted details with rough, unpolished stone surfaces, giving his sculptures a unique expression. His works, mainly portraits in the form of busts, heads, and plaques, demonstrate his mastery in modeling and attention to detail.
Among the artist's most important works is the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" from 1925, a monumental piece located under the arcades of the Saxon Palace in Warsaw. Another significant achievement is the "Monument of Władysław Jagiełło" from 1939, which stands in Central Park in New York and represents a crucial element of Polish artistic heritage in the United States. In the 1930s, Ostrowski also designed a coin featuring the likeness of Józef Piłsudski, highlighting his skill in creating numismatic works and his contribution to commemorating important historical figures.
About Jozef Pilsudski
Jozef Pilsudski (1867-1935) is one of the greatest figures in the history of Poland. He fought against tsarism, spent five years in Siberia, and was active in the Polish Socialist Party. He was the publisher of Robotnik, the author of program documents and the architect of the party's political line. Arrested in February 1900, he succeeded in escaping from the St. Petersburg prison hospital.
In 1908, Pilsudski encouraged the formation of the Organization for Armed Struggle and other paramilitary organizations to take advantage of the coming conflict between Austria-Hungary and Russia. He planned to provoke an anti-Russian uprising by invading with his riflemen the kingdom of Poland, then a Russian province.
On August 3, 1914, the first cavalry patrol, and three days later, the next rifle units entered the Kielce region. During World War I, he created the Polish Legions and became the commander of the First Brigade of the Polish Legions, which operated alongside the Austro-Hungarian troops and fought against Russia.
Arrested on July 22, 1917, he was imprisoned by the Germans in Magdeburg. On his return to Warsaw on November 10, 1918, Pilsudski took command of the Polish military forces and four days later, the civil government as Temporary Head of State. Within a few weeks he organized a national election and in February 1919, the newly elected Seym met to begin its work of creating a progressive new state after over 100 years of partitions. Pilsudski also began to organize a new national army in extremely difficult circumstances created by Germans, Bolsheviks, Ukrainians and even Czechs who were hostile to the newly independent Poland. Pilsudski pursued his goal of creating a federation of states positioned between Russia and Germany; he sought an alliance with Lithuania (1918-1920) and formed a political and military alliance with the Ukrainian Peoples’ Republic (1920). Pilsudski succeeded in saving the country from a Bolshevik deluge after a victorious battle at the gates of Warsaw (August 16-18, 1920), a battle he planned and executed as commander of the counterattack.
After the war, Pilsudski declined to be a candidate in the presidential election in December 1922, and in 1923 he retired from political life. He returned to the scene three years later in an armed takeover on May 12-18, 1926, directed against excessive political struggles, corruption, and general weakening of the state. After the coup d’état he refused the presidency but continued as Inspector General of the Armed Forces until his death on May 12, 1935. He influenced Poland’s foreign policy by seeking to maintain the alliance with France and a new alliance with England. He concluded a non-aggression treaty with Russia in 1932. After the failure to organize a preventive war against Hitler’s Germany in 1933, Pilsudski signed in 1934 a non-aggression treaty with Germany as well. He secured for the newly reborn Polish Republic its rightful place in the family of European nations.
Pilsudski continues to be a symbol of the uncompromising struggle for independence and the sovereignty of Polish foreign policy. The historical institute founded in Warsaw in 1923, and recreated in New York in 1943, is dedicated to the memory of his achievements.
The Józef Piłsudski Institute
The Marshal's monument is owned by the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America. Due to its size, the monument has been placed on deposit with the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union branch on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn, where it is kept in appropriate storage conditions.
Founded in 1943, the Józef Piłsudski Institute of America is one of the most important Polish institutions outside of Poland. Its significance stems from its rich collections and extensive contributions to both academic and cultural fields.
The mission of the Piłsudski Institute is to collect, preserve, and conserve documents and historical materials related to Poland and the Polish diaspora, making them available to researchers, conducting research on modern history, and promoting Polish history and culture in America. The Institute safeguards historical legacies by organizing, cataloging, digitizing, and making its collections accessible while also supporting researchers and conducting queries.
The Institute's library holds over 20,000 books, which are available on-site to those interested. The gallery features paintings by Polish artists, collections of medals and decorations, and other objects of historical significance. The Institute organizes lectures, presentations, author meetings, exhibitions, and history lessons for Polish-American schools.
Address: 138 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Website: www.pilsudski.org
