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system was installed. This year, ductwork for the room was concealed for safer and more efficient air flow.
However, the Museum’s Board of Directors and the Committee felt that additional updates to this important exhibit were needed. Specifically, decorative stencil work, which surrounds the room, needed repair and
conservation; the carpeting needed replacement or cleaning; walnut display cases were in need of upgrading; and the valuable upholstered furniture required stabilizing and cleaning. In addition, the exhibit’s
artifacts needed conservation treatment. In order to provide security, which was lacking in the old design, a protective glass partition surrounding the display of Paderewski’s furnishings from the suite in
the Buckingham Hotel in New York City, his last residence, was necessary. The Committee felt that this glass partition would allow for additional exhibit surface to display more of Paderewski’s possessions and
to secure the area.
The Committee’s “in-house” project coordinator is Richard Kujawa, the Museum’s
engineer. He has been reporting directly to the Committee regarding the progress of each and every aspect of the renovation. Additionally, the Committee sought qualified and dedicated contractors, tradesmen,
craftsmen, and artisans. After much research and meetings, it was pleased that Chris Jaworowski, Discovery Builders, Inc. of Chicago, agreed to be the project’s General Contractor. The Museum is most
fortunate, as Jaworowski specializes in the renovation of historic and older buildings, and brings a multi-talented, experienced, organized, and conscientious perspective to this project.
Since his acceptance in January 2009, the Museum has seen great progress. The old carpeted floor has been
replaced by a new oak floor; new, updated and 21st c. technological electrical installations are in place; the updating, repair, renovation of the room’s walnut display cabinets and, in some cases, the
creation of matching walnut cabinets are near completion; the walls and ceiling have been repaired and painted; and the original decorative stencil artwork has been repaired and conserved. Additionally, the existing
windows have been repaired and updated along with replacing the old window glass with UV-orientated glass. Along with the “bricks and mortar” aspects of this renovation was the conservation and
preservation of one-of-a-kind paintings, important Paderewski documents, papers, photographs and other Paderewski-orientated memorabilia. The Museum’s paper and photographic conservators are working to have
the necessary Paderewski materials ready for the long-anticipated re-opening of this historic room.
With some success, through the dedicated efforts of Jaworowski, a certain amount of pro-bono labor has been
donated by tradesmen, artisans, and craftsmen, along with some gratis supplies from various companies. However, the Museum requires additional funds to complete this major renovation. Those interested in
contributing to the Paderewski Room, can do so by making a check payable to: The Polish Museum of America (Paderewski Room), 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60642
Finally, since the Paderewski Room is the original Museum space, the Committee will designate an area in the
Paderewski Room in memory of its first curator, Mieczysław Haiman. His desk, published books and other items will be displayed. The
Museum believes that Paderewski would have approved.
Understanding that all aspects of this special room represent an invaluable history of
Paderewski’s contribution to Polonia and the world, the Museum hopes that when this redesigned exhibit opens, all will be well rewarded.
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