Salem's Polish Community Highlighted in New Book

March 12, 2012 - PRLog -- The newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America series is The Polish Community of Salem from local authors Felicia L. Wilczenski, EdD and Emily A. Murphy, PhD. The book boats more than 200 vintage images and memories of days gone by.

Refugees from Poland first came to Salem in the 1880s when the former maritime port became a leading industrial center. These immigrants often arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs and worked some of the most dangerous factory jobs. However, despite limited knowledge of the English language and American customs, they persevered to improve their lives and the lives of their children.

The Polish Community of Salem chronicles the social, economic, and cultural transitions that took place as Polish immigrants started life anew in Salem, created a vibrant community, gained US citizenship, and assimilated into American society. Together, the authors worked with volunteers from Salem’s Polish community to gather images and information for this photographic history.

Highlights of The Polish Community of Salem:
•   Neighborhoods, traditions and community
•   Sports, work and citizenship
•   St. John the Baptist Parish and St. Joseph Society

Felicia L. Wilczenski, EdD, a professor and dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston, is the granddaughter of Polish immigrants who settled in Salem. Emily A. Murphy, PhD, is the park historian and public affairs officer at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com or
(888)-313-2665.  

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com.

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With more than 7,500 local history titles published to date, Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States. Widely recognized sepia books feature hundreds of vintage historical images.