mums246 Michael Z. Kislo Notebooks, 1954-1974 Finding Aid Finding aid prepared by Linda Seidman. Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA
2003

University of Massachusetts Amherst. All rights reserved.

 Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Eric S. Cartier. 2003-05-29 Finding aid written in English. 2005-09-23 mu105 converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02-5c.xsl (sy2003-10-15). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst Michael Z. Kislo Notebooks, 1954-1974 Finding Aid Manuscript Number 246 Compiled by Linda Seidman Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

2003 University of Massachusetts Amherst. All rights reserved.

 Collection Overview Kislo, Michael Z., 1896-1978 Michael Z. Kislo Notebooks 1954-1974 MS 246 3 boxes (1.25 linear ft.) Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst Polish immigrant who worked in a basket shop and as a machinist while residing in Florence, Massachusetts. Includes nine volumes of Kislo's writing (mostly in Polish and thematically religious, patriotic, personal, and autobiographical) and artwork (drawings and paintings with religious allusions, Polish costumes, weapons, imaginary animals and fanciful landscapes). English and Polish Biographical Note

Michael Z. Kislo (1896-1978) of Dzieciekowo, Poland, immigrated to the United States and married Mary A. Skowronek (1907-65) of Holyoke, Massachusetts. He began work in a basket shop in Northampton and eventually became a machinist at International Silver Company. The Kislos lived in Florence, Massachusetts.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The collection comprises 9 volumes (1954-74) of Michael Kislo's writing and artwork. The writing, mostly in Polish, handwritten and typewritten, is frequently religious, but also patriotic, personal, and autobiographical. It is usually in the form of "songs," as Kislo calls them. Allusions to the F.B.I., especially in 1962, are of interest.

The drawings and paintings are Chagall-like at times-a floating world of religious allusions. At other times, Polish costumes make appearances, as do weapons, imaginary animals, and fanciful landscapes. It is unclear whether the images are traditional, re-interpretations of traditional ones, or unique to Kislo's imagination.

The notebooks make accessible the thoughts and feelings of a Polish immigrant in a uniquely intense way, when ordinarily the inner life of this generation is lost to the future.

The collection is open for research.

 Preferred Citation

Cite as: Michael Z. Kislo Notebooks (MS 246). Special Collections and University Archives, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Acquired from: Susan Kislo via Stanley Radosh, 1989.

Processed by Linda Seidman.

 Search Terms Kislo, Michael Z., 1896-1978--Notebooks, sktechbooks, etc. Kislo, Michael Z., 1896-1978--Views on United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Immigrants--Massachusetts--Florence--Diaries. Poles--Massachusetts--Florence. Polish American artists--Massachusetts--Florence--Diaries. Art, Polish--Massachusetts--20th century. Florence (Mass.)--Biography. Notebooks.

Volume numbers taken from cover.

 Vol. 5 Polish and English; much art; remarks on writing 1954-1955, 1962 Vol. 6 1955-1956, 1962-1963 Vol. 7 1956-1958, 1962-1963 Vol. 8 No artwork; nearly all Polish 1958-1960 Vol. 9 "John told the truth" around page ends 1960-1963 Vol. un-numbered March-June, 1971 Vol. un-numbered Many drawings November 1971-September 1972 Vol. un-numbered No artwork 1974 Vol. un-numbered No artwork n.d.