Karen Majewski
@panikarenka.bsky.social
Former mayor of Hamtramck Michigan, historian of American Polonia,, Hungarian folk dancer, owner of Tekla Vintage; Ph.D. American Culture, University of Michigan; President, Polish American Historical Association
A couple of days ago my post mentioned the murder--most likely a hit job--of Communist activist Thomas X. Dombrowski of Detroit/Hamtramck. Here is more on that 1956 murder.
August 5, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A couple of days ago my post mentioned the murder--most likely a hit job--of Communist activist Thomas X. Dombrowski of Detroit/Hamtramck. Here is more on that 1956 murder.
In 1940, Hamtramck's Communist newspaper Good Neighbor/Dobry Sąsiad accused the "Underworld" of running Hamtramck, and argues for the Communist Party to be allowed on the ballot.
August 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
In 1940, Hamtramck's Communist newspaper Good Neighbor/Dobry Sąsiad accused the "Underworld" of running Hamtramck, and argues for the Communist Party to be allowed on the ballot.
George Kristalsky ran for City Council as a Communist several times, including 1940. Here he is with Thomas X. Dombrowski, well-known Detroit & Hamtramck Communist Party activist. Dombrowski was murdered in New York in 1956. Clipping from the Hamtramck Communist Party newspaper, Good Neighbor.
August 3, 2025 at 2:30 PM
George Kristalsky ran for City Council as a Communist several times, including 1940. Here he is with Thomas X. Dombrowski, well-known Detroit & Hamtramck Communist Party activist. Dombrowski was murdered in New York in 1956. Clipping from the Hamtramck Communist Party newspaper, Good Neighbor.
1940 Hamtramck election campaign wishful thinking: "The citizens cannot be bought nor fooled with a smokescreen of noise, evasions and lies."
August 2, 2025 at 3:46 PM
1940 Hamtramck election campaign wishful thinking: "The citizens cannot be bought nor fooled with a smokescreen of noise, evasions and lies."
Leading up to the 1940s primary election, candidate Joseph Lewandowski continues his mass meeting blitz, this time sponsored by the Ladies' "Lewandowski for Mayor" Club.
August 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Leading up to the 1940s primary election, candidate Joseph Lewandowski continues his mass meeting blitz, this time sponsored by the Ladies' "Lewandowski for Mayor" Club.
Multiple candidates in the 1940 election, including mayoral candidate Lewandowski, held events at 8944 Jos. Campau, an address that doesn't seem to exist anymore. It may have been a UAW headquarters when Leo Krzycki spoke there in 1936, while serving as Chairman of the Socialist Party of America.
July 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Multiple candidates in the 1940 election, including mayoral candidate Lewandowski, held events at 8944 Jos. Campau, an address that doesn't seem to exist anymore. It may have been a UAW headquarters when Leo Krzycki spoke there in 1936, while serving as Chairman of the Socialist Party of America.
In his 1940 campaign for Hamtramck mayor, Joseph Lewandowski held multiple "mass meetings." The one on February 24th was at the Polish Army Veterans Association (PAVA) hall at 2238 Holbrook, now Pleasantrees cannabis dispensary.
July 30, 2025 at 12:37 PM
In his 1940 campaign for Hamtramck mayor, Joseph Lewandowski held multiple "mass meetings." The one on February 24th was at the Polish Army Veterans Association (PAVA) hall at 2238 Holbrook, now Pleasantrees cannabis dispensary.
Joseph Lewandowski's 1940 mayoral campaign focused on the ever-present issue of city finances, including (you guessed it) parking meters.
July 29, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Joseph Lewandowski's 1940 mayoral campaign focused on the ever-present issue of city finances, including (you guessed it) parking meters.
Dujring Hamtramck's 1940 municipal election, the equivalent of modern day campaign social media accounts were short-lived newspapers devoted to one candidate or another, like the mayoral hopeful Frank Matulewicz's Hamtramck Worker, its name reflecting his focus on labor and union issues.
July 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Dujring Hamtramck's 1940 municipal election, the equivalent of modern day campaign social media accounts were short-lived newspapers devoted to one candidate or another, like the mayoral hopeful Frank Matulewicz's Hamtramck Worker, its name reflecting his focus on labor and union issues.
Deep fakes in the 1940 Hamtramck mayoral campaign
July 27, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Deep fakes in the 1940 Hamtramck mayoral campaign
Hamtramck 1940: Mayoral candidate Matulowicz seems to have a pretty good platform.
July 26, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Hamtramck 1940: Mayoral candidate Matulowicz seems to have a pretty good platform.
1940 city election: mayoral candidate Matulewicz accused mayor Kanar of colluding with state Republicans. In exchange for Kanar's support of Republicans in the presidential election, existing charges of corruption against city officials would be put on hold.
July 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
1940 city election: mayoral candidate Matulewicz accused mayor Kanar of colluding with state Republicans. In exchange for Kanar's support of Republicans in the presidential election, existing charges of corruption against city officials would be put on hold.
Here's a fun one from the 1940s campaign, when Barney Nowicki testified in court to paying Mayor Kanar a $1,500 bribe for his appointment as Hamtramck's "first Polish police chief." From mayoral candidate Frank Matulewicz's campaign newspaper, The Hamtramck Worker/Robotnik Hamtramicki.
July 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Here's a fun one from the 1940s campaign, when Barney Nowicki testified in court to paying Mayor Kanar a $1,500 bribe for his appointment as Hamtramck's "first Polish police chief." From mayoral candidate Frank Matulewicz's campaign newspaper, The Hamtramck Worker/Robotnik Hamtramicki.
Here it is an election year in Hamtramck & I completely forgot I've got a pile of stuff from the 1940 campaigns. So here's one to start, from Frank Matulewicz's unsuccessful run against Walter Kanar for mayor.
July 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Here it is an election year in Hamtramck & I completely forgot I've got a pile of stuff from the 1940 campaigns. So here's one to start, from Frank Matulewicz's unsuccessful run against Walter Kanar for mayor.
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #11 Detroit Free Press 6 March 1932
April 24, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #11 Detroit Free Press 6 March 1932
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #10 Detroit Free Press 1931
April 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #10 Detroit Free Press 1931
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #9 Detroit Free Press 4 July 1931
April 14, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #9 Detroit Free Press 4 July 1931
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #8: When women lost their citizenship for marrying non-citizens Detroit Free Press 14 November 1925
April 12, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #8: When women lost their citizenship for marrying non-citizens Detroit Free Press 14 November 1925
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #7 Detroit Free Press 19 February 1953
April 11, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #7 Detroit Free Press 19 February 1953
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #6: Detroit Free Press 12 March 1952
April 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #6: Detroit Free Press 12 March 1952
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #5: Detroit Free Press 20 October 1939
April 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations on My Mind Post #5: Detroit Free Press 20 October 1939
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations Back on My Mind Post #4: Detroit Free Press 9 May 1925
April 8, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants Deportations Back on My Mind Post #4: Detroit Free Press 9 May 1925
Feeling a little more light-hearted after yesterday's nationwide actions. So here's some Hamtramck crime for your amusement, circa 1990s. Not condoning violence, of course!
April 6, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Feeling a little more light-hearted after yesterday's nationwide actions. So here's some Hamtramck crime for your amusement, circa 1990s. Not condoning violence, of course!
Hamtramck City of Immigrants, Deportations on my Mind Post #3. I haven't been able to find anything else about Danilow or Prystayko. Detroit Free Press 9 September 1928.
April 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Hamtramck City of Immigrants, Deportations on my Mind Post #3. I haven't been able to find anything else about Danilow or Prystayko. Detroit Free Press 9 September 1928.