The Copernicus Foundation () is a 501(c)(3)

not for profit A not-for-profit or non-for-profit organization (NFPO) is a legal entity that does not distribute surplus funds to its members and is formed to fulfill specific objectives. While not-for-profit organizations and non-profit organizations (NP ...

organization based in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. It borders on Lake Michigan to its northeast, the Mississippi River to its west, and the Wabash River, Wabash and Ohio River, Ohio rivers to its ...

. It was founded by

Poles in Chicago Both immigrant Poles and Americans of Polish heritage live in Chicago, Illinois. They are a part of worldwide '' Polonia'', the Polish term for the Polish Diaspora outside of Poland. Poles in Chicago have contributed to the economic, social an ...

in 1971 in order to raise funds towards raising a monument for the famous astronomer

Nicolaus Copernicus Nicolaus Copernicus (19 February 1473 – 24 May 1543) was a Renaissance polymath who formulated a mathematical model, model of Celestial spheres#Renaissance, the universe that placed heliocentrism, the Sun rather than Earth at its cen ...

to be set in front of the

Adler Planetarium The Adler Planetarium is a public museum in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to astronomy and astrophysics. It was founded in 1930 by local businessman Max Adler (Sears), Max Adler. Located on the northeastern tip of Northerly Island on Lake Michigan ...

. After the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument's dedication at the 500th anniversary of Copernicus in 1973, the

Polish-American Polish Americans () are Americans who either have total or partial Polish ancestry, or are citizens of the Republic of Poland. There are an estimated 8.81 million self-identified Polish Americans, representing about 2.67% of the U.S. population, ...

community decided to use leftover funds towards the purchase of a cultural and civic center for Chicago's Polonia. After a thorough search for the permanent site of the Polish Cultural Center in Chicago, ceremonies took place at the old Gateway Theatre building located near

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

and Lawrence avenues in 1979. Because the Gateway Theatre had been the first movie theater in Chicago built exclusively for the "talkies," the Foundation decided to preserve the theater itself while remodeling around it. The "Solidarity Tower," with its matching façade, was erected atop the building which was modified to resemble the historic Royal Castle in Warsaw,

Poland Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...

. The tower itself was built to resemble the clock tower adorning the Royal Castle. The activities of the Copernicus Center include: *The Taste of Polonia Festival – an annual event at the Copernicus Center *Mayfest – or Polish fest *January charity event (for children with medical needs) *The Copernican Award *Multi-Cultural Events *Modern Music Events *Community Events *Venue Rentals The Copernicus Center is also a meeting place for Polish American and other Civic Organization Meetings, the Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce Activities, the Northwest Chicago Historical Society, CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) Meetings, the DAC (District Advisory Council) Meetings, an Annual Law Fair, Dance Recitals, as well as Public Information and Referral Services

References

External links

Copernicus Center
{{chicago Non-profit organizations based in Chicago Cultural centers in Chicago Polish-American culture in Chicago Charities based in Illinois Polish diaspora in the United States 501(c)(3) organizations

See also

References

External links