The Mission of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture

Founded in 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, the Balzekas Museum is dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Lithuanian culture. The Museum celebrates the notable achievements of Lithuanian Americans, the Lithuanian nation, and Lithuanian communities world wide. Culture is a synthesis of the arts, beliefs, customs and institutions created by human work and thought at a particular time. Promoting the study and appreciation of America's diverse ethnic cultural heritage, seeking to foster greater understanding among all people, the Museum works cooperatively with numerous ethnic groups; cultural, arts and educational organizations; museum; fraternal orders; religious entities; and governmental institutions. The Balzekas Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The Museum's Resources

The Balzekas Museum is the largest repository of Lithuanian cultural artifacts outside of Lithuania. Permanent exhibitions include "Lithuania Through the Ages"; "Honored Lithuanians", "War After War", and the Women's Guild Room, which showcases a collection of Lithuanian folk arts: amber, textiles, Easter eggs, dolls, and traditional Lithuanian costumes. The Children's Museum of Immigrant History is a popular destination for the Museum's youngest visitors. Replicas of a medieval castle and Lithuanian farmhouse are the main features of this interactive space. The Museum's departments include Humanities, Genealogy, Fine Arts, Numismatics, Philatelics, and the Library and Research-Resource Center. Department programs highlight respective areas of interest. Maps chronicling Lithuania's dramatic history comprise the Irene Balzekas Memorial Map Collection. Events, such as concerts, workshops and social gatherings, are held in the Amber Ballroom and third floor Art Gallery, which is also the location of the museum's larger temporary exhibitions. The Ed Mankus Audio/Visual Room, named for its founder--the late photographer Ed Mankus--is used for film screening and lectures and contains an exhibition of Mr. Mankus's photography. The Museum organizes many outreach programs for area schools and educators, who rely on the Museum's resources to supplement and enrich multiple subjects from medieval history to immigration. Popular tours to Lithuania are conducted annually.

History of the Balzekas Museum

The Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian culture was founded in 1966 by Stanley Balzekas, Jr. in a "two-flat" building at 4012 S. Archer Avenue, next to the Balzekas Motor Sales automobile dealership in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood. The basis for the Museum's collection, was the Balzekas family's collection of rare maps, armor, and art. Other major gifts and purchases followed. With the help of an active core of volunteers, the museum's collections, exhibitions and programs developed

the Museum The Museum moved to its present location, at 6500 South Pulaski Road in 1986. After extensive remodeling, the former Von Solbrig Hospital building was turned into a modern museum with a permanent exhibition hall, art galleries, a library, a children's museum, a ballroom, a theater, workshops, and offices. The Museum has approximately 2,700 active members.

Cross-Cultural Events

Since its inception, the Museum has initiated and participated in cross-cultural programs exploring similarities and differences among cultures. In recent years, the Museum has been an active participant in the Chicago Field Museum's Cultural Connections program, which brings together diverse ethnic and cultural institutions city wide, in collaborative educational presentations and programs. In 2005, the Museum hosted a Cultural Connections program in conjunction with the Korean American Cultural and Resource Center. Dressed for the Part highlighted notions of beauty and dress in both Korean and Lithuanian communities and factors which influence the aesthetics of attire, such as tradition, family, and immigration.

Affiliations and Memberships

• American Association of Museums
• The Illinois Association of Museums
• The Vilnius-Chicago Sister Cities Program
• The Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce
• Field Museum Cultural Connections Partner
• Chicago Cultural Alliance