Museum of the Polish School in Płotowo

The Museum of the Polish School in Płotowo is a branch of the West Kashubian Museum in Bytów, established in 1979 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the first Polish school in Bytów County. It is housed in the building that hosted a private Polish school from 1929 to 1932, intended for children of the Polish minority living in Germany at the time. The initiative to create the museum came from the Union of Poles in Germany. Architecturally, the museum building reflects the characteristic features of the interwar period, preserving the educational spirit of that era. The museum features three exhibition halls; one of them has recreated a 1920s classroom, which serves as an important element of the visitors' educational experience. The other halls are dedicated to the activities of the Union of Poles, showcasing their efforts to preserve Polish identity amid changing political and social circumstances. The exhibitions use authentic documents, memorabilia, and information panels that depict the local community's struggle to incorporate the Bytów region into a reborn Poland after 1918, as well as the perseverance of the inhabitants in nurturing their national identity despite the restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. Interestingly, the museum not only safeguards local history but also plays an educational role, introducing younger generations to the challenging history of Poles in Germany and their fight to preserve their culture and language.