Polish Community in Washington
Washington State is home to over 125,000 residents who claim Polish ancestry, with around 15,000 Poles living in the Seattle area. The state has a rich Polish heritage dating back over a century.
Seattle and Puget Sound
Polish Cultural Center (Dom Polski)
Location: 1714 18th Avenue, Seattle, WA Founded: 1918 (building purchased 1919, opened 1920)
The historic Polish Home provides a center for Polish culture in the Pacific Northwest.
Features:
- Polish choir
- Library with Polish collections
- Polish Scouts (Harcerstwo)
- Book, poetry, film, and dance clubs
- Meeting spaces for community organizations
- Cultural events and performances
History: In 1919, the Polish community bought the present building, and in 1920 it was opened as the Polish Home, serving as the heart of Seattle’s Polish community for over a century.
Seattle Polish Foundation (SPF)
A non-profit organization promoting Polish heritage in the Pacific Northwest by:
- Sponsoring local events involving Polish culture and arts
- Supporting Polish-American organizations in the area
- Preserving Polish heritage
- Educational programs
Koło Pań - Polish Women’s Club
Active for: Over 50 years
Organizes popular Fall and Spring bazaars that bring multi-ethnic visitors to the Polish Cultural Center, serving as major community events.
Polish-American Chamber of Commerce Pacific Northwest (PACCPNW)
Promotes Polish-American trade cooperation, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the Pacific Northwest region.
Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Seattle
Website: polishconsulseattle.com
Provides consular services for Polish citizens and Polish Americans in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.
University Connections
Polish Home Association
Affiliation: University of Washington - Slavic Languages & Literatures
Connects Polish students, faculty, and community members at UW and promotes Polish language and culture.
Polish Festivals and Events
Polish Festival Seattle
Location: Seattle Center
Annual festival celebrating Polish culture in the heart of Seattle with:
- Traditional Polish food
- Live music and dance performances
- Cultural exhibits
- Polish arts and crafts
- Community gatherings
Seattle Polish Film Festival
Annual event showcasing Polish cinema and films.
Annual Celebrations
- Polish Constitution Day (May 3)
- Pulaski Day celebrations
- Polish American Heritage Month (October)
- Dyngus Day (Easter Monday)
- Pączki Day (Fat Tuesday)
- Fall and Spring Bazaars at Dom Polski
Polish Communities Throughout Washington
Spokane
Spokolonia - Polish group in Spokane Contact: Robert Sloma
Other Washington Cities
Polish groups exist in:
- Aberdeen
- Tacoma
- Bellingham
- Camas
- And other communities across the state
Religious Communities
Polish Catholic Services
Polish-language masses and Polish Catholic communities in the Seattle area and throughout Washington.
Polish Religious Organizations
Polish Catholic organizations maintain cultural and spiritual connections.
Educational Programs
Polish Language Schools
- Polish Saturday schools in Seattle area
- Polish language instruction for children
- Cultural education programs
University Programs
- University of Washington - Polish language and Slavic studies
- Polish cultural programs and lectures
- Academic resources on Polish history and culture
Cultural Organizations
Arts and Performance
- Polish folk dance groups
- Polish choir at Dom Polski
- Polish cultural performances
- Film clubs and screenings
Social Organizations
- Polish clubs and societies
- Professional networking groups
- Cultural preservation organizations
Polish Heritage in Washington
Washington’s Polish community has contributed to:
- Technology industry (many Polish professionals in Seattle tech sector)
- Aviation and aerospace (Boeing and related industries)
- Healthcare and medicine
- Education and academia
- Arts and culture
- Business and entrepreneurship
Resources
- Polish Home Association - Dom Polski
- Polish Festival Seattle
- Consulate of Poland in Seattle
- Seattle Polish News
- Wikipedia: Polish Americans
Connect with Polish Communities in Other States
Pacific Northwest:
Nearby Western States:
- California - San Francisco and Los Angeles
- Nevada - Las Vegas area
- Colorado - Denver area
Major Polish Communities:
- Illinois - Chicago’s massive Polish population
- New York - NYC and Buffalo
- Pennsylvania - Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
- Michigan - Detroit and Hamtramck
Know of an organization not listed? Contact us to help keep this directory up to date.