Schenectady in Schenectady County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
1860 1941
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 5, 2017
1. Ignacy Jan Paderewski Marker
In This Auditorium On October 8, 1917
At The 35-th National Convention Of The
Polish Roman - Catholic Union Of America
Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Polish Pianist And Statesman
Prime Minister Of Poland - 1919
Leader Of Poles In The United States 1914-1941
Made An Appeal For Volunteers To Join The
Polish Army To Fight For Freedom of Poland
Council No. 3 of P.R.C.U. of America, 5-th Day Of November A. D. 1967
Erected 1967 by Council Number 3 of Polish Roman Catholic Union of America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is October 12, 1917.
Location. 42° 48.68′ N, 73° 55.698′ W. Marker is in Schenectady, New York, in Schenectady County. Marker is on Irving Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 Irving Street, Schenectady NY 12308, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nott Terrace High School (approx. ¼ mile away); John Howard Payne (approx. 0.3 miles away); Walnut Grove (approx. 0.3 miles away); The RS-3 Diesel-Electric Locomotive (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Nott Terrace High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Union College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mother Of Fraternities (approx. 0.4 miles away); Nott Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Schenectady.
this page online
More about this marker. Jerome J. Razewski, the Deputy Commissioner of Elections of Schenectady County, was one of the chief planners of an event in St. Mary's School hall held on Sunday, November 5th, 1967 at 2:00 p.m. in which the plaque was unveiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ignacy Paderewski's appearance there at the 1917 Polish Roman Catholic Union of America convention.
Regarding Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Thought the marker states that Paderewski presented to the convention on October 8th, newspaper accounts from that week contradict the plaque. The Schenectady Gazette published daily articles that week covering the convention, and report that Paderewski spoke to the convention on Friday, October 12th, 1917.
The Gazette reported that, of the roughly 350 delegates who attended the conference, over 150 began to arrive by train on Sunday, and that the sessions of the conference were to be held at the school hall of St. Mary's Church beginning on Monday, October 8th.
During this 35th Biennial Convention of Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, delegates, representing over one hundred thousand members, pledged their loyalty and support to President Woodrow Wilson in a telegram, and also to Colonel Theodore Roosevelt in another telegram on the second day, Tuesday, October 9th, 1917.
During the evening session on Wednesday, October 10th, a telegram from Ignacy Paderewski was read aloud in which he stated that he would be present at the convention on Friday, October 12th.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 12, 2017
2. Ignacy Jan Paderewski Marker & St. Mary's School 1913 Cornerstone
On Friday evening Paderewski gave a ringing speech, which he delivered in Polish, closing out the five days of convention in Schenectady. "In eloquent language, emphasized by graceful gestures, Mr. Paderewski briefly reviewed the turbulent history of Poland, and described the awful suffering endured by the people of that country since the outbreak of the European war [WWI]. He paid a glowing tribute to the United States, describing this country as the "cradle of liberty, justice and democracy" and urged every Pole to give the best that is in him in defense of the Stars and Stripes. Nothing should be left undone, he declared, to rescue Poland from the cruelty and greed of the European despots. He favored sending a Polish-American division to "fight under Old Glory" in France. His speech was frequently interrupted by vociferous applause." - (Schenectady Gazette Saturday Morning October 13, 1917)
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. The Paderewski Association. Website homepage (Submitted on March 5, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
2. Paderewski Burial in Arlington National Cemetery from 1941 to 1992. Find A Grave website entry (Submitted on March 7, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
3. Paderewski Burial at Saint John's Archcathedral, Poland from 1992 on
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 5, 2017
3. Ignacy Jan Paderewski Marker
The marker is on the front of the building, to the right, below the first story window. This building was built in 1913 as a parochial school. "the parish school of Our Lady of Czestochowa" by the church across Irving Street, Saint Mary's Polish Roman Catholic Church. In 2017 the school building is vacant and owned by the City of Schenectady, having been seized from a real-estate developer for delinquent taxes. The church has been converted into a restaurant, with the hall upstairs to be used as a venue for banquets and receptions.
4. Paderewski playing Chopin, Polonaise in A Flat. YouTube video (Submitted on March 7, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York.)
Additional keywords. Renaissance Restaurant at The Hall
Internet Archive
4. Ignacy Jan Paderewski
This drawing by Irving R. Wiles appeared in Century Illustrated Magazine, February, 1892.
5. Ignacy Jan Paderewski
Collection of Joe Connor
6. St. Mary's Polish R. C. Church and School, Eastern Ave., Schenectady, N.Y.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, March 11, 2017
7. The Former St. Mary's Polish R. C. Church and School, Eastern Ave., Schenectady, N.Y.
St. Mary's Church Schenectady, NY. (Polish) was founded January 1, 1892. The existing building was constructed in 1903. The parish closed in 2009. The existing school building was erected by 1913, and stayed open until 1979.
Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, November 4, 2020
8. Construction in 2020
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 5, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. This page has been viewed 716 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 5, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 2. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 3. submitted on March 5, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 4. submitted on October 14, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on March 6, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6, 7. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 8. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
