Polish Community in Connecticut

Connecticut has a vibrant Polish-American community, particularly in New Britain and the Hartford area. The state’s Polish heritage dates back to the late 1800s and continues to thrive today.

New Britain - “Little Poland”

New Britain has the largest Polish population of any town or city in Connecticut. By 1930, one-quarter of the city’s population was of Polish ancestry.

Official Recognition

In September 2008, New Britain’s Common Council officially designated Broad Street as “Little Poland.”

Little Poland Festival

First held: 2012 Annual attendance: Grown from 600 participants to over 20,000

One of Connecticut’s largest cultural celebrations, the Little Poland Festival celebrates Polish heritage with:

Traditional Polish music and dance
Authentic Polish food
Cultural exhibitions
Folk art and crafts
Community activities

Major Organizations

Polish American Foundation of Connecticut

Website: paf-ct.org Location: New Britain, CT

The Polish American Foundation of CT is a premier cultural and service organization that:

Promotes Polish cultural heritage
Enhances access to social services
Provides economic opportunities
Offers programs promoting interethnic understanding and exchange
Supports the Polish community

Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut (PGSCTNE)

Founded: 1984 Website: pgsctne.org

Features:

Archive and Resource Center collecting materials on community history
Individual family history resources
Genealogical research assistance
Historical preservation

Hartford Area

Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford

Established: 1976 Website: polishculturalclub.org

Dedicated to preserving and promoting the history, culture, and customs of Poland with fellow Americans. The organization hosts:

Cultural events and programs
Educational activities
Polish heritage celebrations
Community gatherings

Polish National Home of Hartford (Historic)

Former Location: 60 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford

A historic Polish social club in Hartford. The Board of Directors approved the sale of the building in December 2022, marking the end of an era, though the Polish community in Hartford remains active.

Educational Institutions

Polish Saturday School

Established: 1960

The largest Polish Saturday School on the East Coast, providing:

Polish language instruction
Polish history education
Cultural programs
Heritage preservation for Polish-American children

The school serves hundreds of students annually, ensuring Polish language and culture are passed to new generations.

Religious Communities

Sacred Heart Parish

Founded: August 10, 1894

One of the oldest Polish-American Roman Catholic parishes in New England, Sacred Heart Parish has served the Polish community for over 130 years.

Other Polish Parishes

Connecticut has numerous Polish Catholic churches throughout the state, particularly in:

New Britain
Hartford
Waterbury
Bridgeport
New Haven
And other cities

Historic Polish Immigration

Polish immigrants arrived in Connecticut beginning in the late 1800s, seeking opportunities in:

Manufacturing (hardware, tools, machinery)
Factories and mills
Industrial work

The peak of Polish immigration to Connecticut occurred between 1909-1922, as documented in historical newspaper records.

Polish Communities Throughout Connecticut

Major Polish Centers

New Britain - Largest Polish community

“Little Poland” on Broad Street
Sacred Heart Parish
Polish businesses and restaurants

Hartford - Capital city Polish community

Polish Cultural Club
Historic Polish neighborhoods
Polish organizations

Waterbury - Significant Polish population

Polish parishes
Polish organizations

Bridgeport - Polish community

Polish churches
Cultural activities

New Haven - Polish presence

Polish organizations
Cultural events

Other Connecticut Cities with Polish Heritage

Meriden
Norwich
Torrington
Stamford
Danbury

Polish Business and Culture

Broad Street - New Britain

The heart of “Little Poland” features:

Polish restaurants and delis
Polish bakeries
Polish import shops
Polish services and businesses
Cultural institutions

Cultural Preservation

Connecticut’s Polish community actively preserves heritage through:

Language schools
Cultural organizations
Religious institutions
Festivals and celebrations
Museums and archives

Annual Events

Little Poland Festival - New Britain (summer, 20,000+ attendees)
Polish Constitution Day (May 3)
Pulaski Day celebrations (October)
Polish American Heritage Month (October)
Dyngus Day (Easter Monday)
Pączki Day (Fat Tuesday)
Parish festivals throughout the year

Resources

Connect with Polish Communities in Other States

Nearby States:

Massachusetts - Springfield-Worcester-Boston areas
Rhode Island - Providence area
New York - NYC and across the state
New Jersey - Northern NJ communities

Other Major Polish Communities:

Illinois - Chicago’s massive Polish population
Pennsylvania - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
Michigan - Detroit and Hamtramck
Wisconsin - Milwaukee area

Back to all states

Know of an organization not listed? Contact us to help keep this directory up to date.