Polish Gymnastic Association - Sokol - Winnipeg MB
Posted by: 
PeterNoG
N 49° 55.208 W 097° 09.179
14U E 632585 N 5531386
This Sokol Hall is on Manitoba Avenue at Parr Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Waymark Code: WMD0GZ
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Date Posted: 11/02/2011
Views: 10
~ this was extracted from (visit link) (link may be down temporarily) ~ In 1932, the Union of Polish Societies in Canada, the first Polish organization in Canada, began in Winnipeg. In 1944 this organization gave start to the Canadian Polish Congress which then moved the Head Executive office to Toronto, due to the larger number of Polish immigrants in that region.
Two Sokol halls were built in Winnipeg between
1932 and 1944; this one, #1 in the "North End" at 713 Manitoba Avenue and the other one, #2 at 523 Doucet Street (
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~ this site has a different version (visit link) "In
1906 a group of enlightened Polish immigrants in Winnipeg who were prompted by national and patriotic considerations transplanted to Canadian soil the Sokol movement which had been developed in Poland and which they brought with them. Beginning with meetings in private homes, these inspired new Polish-Canadians soon began to build their own "home" at the corner of Manitoba Avenue and Parr Street. There they were able to commence a broad range of educational, cultural and sports programs: Polish language classes, scouting and other youth activities, a library, choir, dance group and various gymnastic and other sports groups.
As the organization has grown and evolved over the years the motivation of its founders is still maintained and cultivated. While Polish language classes are now conducted through the Canadian Polish Congress, the hall at Manitoba and Parr is still home to a song and dance ensemble whose own history dates back 92 years to
1914, a school of Polish folk dance for young people, soccer teams that have won Manitoba Provincial championships, and the Krakow, Poland pavilion that has been a part of Folklorama for more than 30 years. "
These earlier dates may be more accurate as this photograph from the Manitoba Archives, shows "Group of gymnasts taught by Mr. Polny. Photo outside Sokol Hall, 713 Manitoba Avenue, Winnipeg,
1925." (
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