Welcome to our Online Collections Database!
Welcome to the Museums and Archives of the Polish Armed Forces. This site features memorabilia and artifacts from veterans who served in the Polish Armed Forces and their lives in Canada after the wars.
About Us
The Museum and Archives of Polish Armed Forces is located in the Wawel Villa Senior home. Wawel Villa was proudly founded and opened in 1982 largely by Polish veterans. One of the most renowned veterans was Col. Pilot Boleslaw Orlinski, a Polish aviator, whose dream it was to create a museum in memory of the many Polish veterans who call Canada their home. Orlinski passed away on February 28, 1992, leaving his memorabilia and funds to achieve this dream. As a means of honouring Boleslaw Orlinski's wishes and the other Polish veteran's residents at Wawel Villa, the Museum and Archives of the Polish Armed Forces were created, affectionately known as the Orlinski Museum to the residents. The museum is dedicated to preserving the stories and artifacts of Polish veterans and educating the public as to the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedom. The museum was opened on February 24, 2002. Although most of the Polish veterans of World War II are now gone, the Museum and Archives of the Polish Armed Forces continue to keep their spirit and memory alive. The museum serves as a living tribute to the many Polish veterans who call Wawel Villa their home.
Special Thanks
The Orlinski Museum wishes to formally thank the Senate of Poland for providing funds for our first inventory, digitization and cataloguing project. The museum would also like to recognize the important role, the Polish Senate plays in supporting Poles and Polish communities located in all corners of the planet.
The Orlinski Museum would also like to thank our two Polish partners would made this project possible – Anna Kietlinska of “Stowarzyszenie Edukacji i Dialogu “Fontis et Futura”, and Robert Sadowski, Director, The Army Museum in Bialystok”.
Muzeum Orliński pragnie formalnie podziękować Senatowi RP za udostępnienie środków na nasz pierwszy projekt inwentaryzacji, digitalizacji i katalogowania. Muzeum pragnie również docenić ważną rolę, jaką polski Senat odgrywa we wspieraniu Polaków i społeczności polskich znajdujących się we wszystkich zakątkach świata.
Muzeum Orlińskie pragnie również podziękować dwóm polskim partnerom, którzy umożliwili ten projekt - Anna Kietlińska z „Stowarzyszenia Edukacji i Dialogu„ Fontis et Futura ”oraz Robert Sadowski, Dyrektor, Muzeum Wojska w Białymstoku.
Contact and location
Wawel Villa 880 Clarkson Road South, Mississauga, ON L5J 4N4
For any questions please email at: orilinskimuseum@outlook.com
For regular updates and posts please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MuseumandArchivesofPolishArmedForces/We are currently closed due to the COVID pandemic
Tips for Searching
Keyword Search
The Keyword Search button allows you to perform a general search across multiple fields for any catalog records online. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.
Advanced Search
The Advanced Search button can help you be more specific with your search. You can search for a word or phrase within a particular search category or use multiple categories to further narrow down your search results. For example, searching White in the People field will bring up any records associated with a member of the White family, without having to sift through black & white photographs. You can also search People and Creator records through Advanced Search. Phrase searching with quotes and use of wildcards (*) are available in Advanced Search.
Random Images
The Random Images button is a great way to just browse the collection. Each Random Images page displays a random assortment of images from the records online. If something piques your interest, click the thumbnail to view a larger version of the image.
Catalog Searches (Archives / Photos / Libraries / Objects)
The catalog buttons can also help narrow down your search, by only searching with a selected catalog. If you only want to search for Photos, click the Photos button and type in your keyword(s) or phrase. You can also browse records within that catalog without performing a search. Phrase searching, wildcards (*) as well as AND/OR statements are available when performing catalog searches.