Download or read book The Polish Community of Salem written by Felicia L. Wilczenski and published by Arcadia Publishing. This book was released on 2012 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Refugees from Poland first came to Salem in the 1880s when the former maritime port became a leading industrial center. These immigrants often arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs and worked some of the most dangerous factory jobs. However, despite limited knowledge of the English language and American customs, they persevered to improve their lives and the lives of their children. The Polish Community of Salem chronicles the social, economic, and cultural transitions that took place as Polish immigrants started life anew in Salem, created a vibrant community, gained US citizenship, and assimilated into American society.