Magyar Egyház, 1985 (64. évfolyam, 1-5. szám)
1985-05-01 / 3. szám
8. oldal MAGYAR EGYHÁZ HUNGARIAN HERITAGE CENTER The Role of Hungarians in this country is a significant ingredient in the fabric of American history. The traditions and contributions of American Hungarians must be documented and preserved, as well as shared with the general public. Since its establishment the Foundation has received numerous documents, photographs, books and works of art created by or about Hungarians. Currently, many of these valuable resources depicting the heritage of American Hungarians lie in storage because there is no place to display them in any accessible manner. To continue to fulfill its mission and fully utilize its resources, the Foundation must expand its facility. The Foundation’s dream has long been to communicate the story of American Hungarians through an Heritage Center. The Hungarian Heritage Center will represent an important facet of American and ethnic history. Upon completion this will be the only Hungarian center of its type in the entire United States. The Center’s location in the Northeastern part of tht United States places it not only in an historically important area for American Hungarians, but also in close reach of nearly 40 per cent of the current American Hungarian population. The American Hungarian Heritage Center will allow a unique and dynamic portrayal of the cultural and historical heritage of American Hungarians. The Center will be the premier institution for Hungarians in the United States. The Heritage Center will provide the necessary space and equipment for the proper display and use of the Foundation’s rich collections. The Center’s main areas will be a museum; library of more than 30,000 volumes; archives; and a book and craft shop. Additional space will be provided for meetings and small conferences; research and reading; special exhibits; and community service groups. The formal establishment of the library will further expand the opportunities for both personal and scholarly research. To merely accommodate the average yearly growth of 1,750 volumes the Foundation needs additional space. The necessary space and cataloging equipment will enable the Foundation not only to properly store its 30,000 volume collection, but more importantly to serve interested individuals or institutions on either a walk-in or long distance basis. To further aid current and potential patrons the Foundation’s collection constitutes a Rutgers Affiliate Library. This cooperation with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, integrates the holdings of the Foundation’s library into the national RLIN (Research Library Information Network) data base which is available at libraries throughout this country. This computerized version of a card catalogue further expands the reach and usefulness of the Heritage Center. Among the outstanding library collections to which access will be increased is the Vasvary Collection. Edmund Vasvary, one of the foremost experts in Hungarian immigration history, assembled over 400 volumes of newspapers, clippings, photographs, personal letters, notes and transcripts of interviews on life histories of Hungarians. This unique historical material has 24,000 entries and is of tremendous value to historians and social scientists concerned with ethnicity and adaptation. The current demand for library services is difficult, if not impossible, for the Foundation to meet. Full-time scholars, weekend history enthusiasts and those tracing family genealogies constantly draw upon the Foundation’s resources. All concerns will be better served through the establishment of the Heritage Center. The Hungarian Heritage Fund Drive, the First Step In 1954 a small group of Hungarians began sharing their dream that a national museum and library by and about American Hungarians would one day be built. On January 30, 1980 a major step was taken toward making this dream a reality. The Foundation purchased the property known as the “Needle Factory” in the heart of the old Hungarian neighborhood in New Brunswick. The building is ideal for the Heritage Center because of its size and location in the small transitional area between the business and residential communities. The building itself holds a special significance: It once housed a major employer of the Hungarians living in the area. The preservation of this building is a fitting way to begin the Hungarian Heritage Center. The renovation of the building will blend examples of traditional Hungarian architecture with the existing structure thereby utilizing the factory itself to set the amosphere for he unfolding of the story of American Hungarians. The purchase of the “Needle Factory” was possible because of the generous donations of a few individuals of vision. The completion of the project will require the financial participation of all those who cherish the conservation of our heritage. As of October 1, 1984 over $500,000 had been raised toward the goal of $2.7 million. Our success in raising the remaining funds necessary to build the Hungarian Heritage Center and to secure its future will depend on the generosity of thousands of Hungarian Americans. Experience has taught us that the success of a fundraising drive depends on those who are financially capable of providing significant leadership gifts. To maximize each contributor’s opportunity to make a significant gift to the National Hungarian Heritage Center, the Foundation encourages pledges, payable over a three or five year jeriod. During the next several months volunteers who are committing their time, energy and finances to seeing the dream of a heritage center become a reality will be visiting with individuals, foundations and business to gather support for this fund drive. We hope you will give careful consideration to your own support of this vital effort to keep our common heritage alive.
