Founded in January 20, 1977, Polish American Museum exists by virtue of a charter granted on September 30, 1977 by the State Of New York Department Of Education, Regents division. The present museum building, purchased in January 1982, is the former Port Washington Public Library. Within the 30 rooms, the building houses 15 exhibit galleries, a research library, a lecture hall, gift shop, offices, supplementary classrooms and storage areas.
The facility also houses the Archacki Archives. Established by noted Polish American journalists, historian and artist Henry Archacki, the archives contain numerous articles, illustrations, drawings and essays on Polish and Polish American men and women.