Ukrainian jewel on 'Museum Mile' is preparing for the 21st century (01/19/97)

Ukrainian jewel on 'Museum Mile' is preparing for the 21st century

NEW YORK - Nestled in the midst of "Museum Mile," which includes the Guggenheim Museum and the Frick Collection, and diagonally across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the southeast corner of 79th Street and Fifth Avenue, is one of the most magnificent and regal turn-of-the-century mansions in New York City today. This French Renaissance-style structure houses the jewel of the Ukrainian community: the Ukrainian Institute of America.

The history of the acquisition of the mansion by William Dzus, the founder of the Ukrainian Institute of America, dates back to 1899 when Isaac Fletcher, a banker and railroad investor, commissioned the famous architect C.P.H. Gilbert to build a house using William K. Vanderbilt's neo-Loire Valley chateau as its model, on the property that was originally the Lenox farm.

Mr. Fletcher was so pleased with his new home that he hired Jean Francois Raffaelli to do a painting of it; the painting, the mansion and the Fletcher's extensive art collection were all eventually bequeathed to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917.

Harry F. Sinclair, the founder of the Sinclair Oil Co., purchased the Fletcher Mansion in 1920 and sold it in 1930 to Augustus Van Horne Stuyvesant Jr., a descendant of Peter Stuyvesant. A bachelor and recluse, Augustus Stuyvesant occupied the mansion with his unmarried sister until her death in 1938, then lived out the remaining years of his life until 1953 with just his butler and footman to serve him.

Mr. Dzus, inventor and owner of the Dzus Fastener Co. in West Islip, Long Island, founded the Ukrainian Institute of America Inc. in 1948 for the purpose of promoting Ukrainian art, culture, music and literature. At that time, the Ukrainian Institute was located in the Parkwood Mansion in West Islip. The increasing membership and growth of the institute prompted Mr. Dzus to search for a larger facility; he authorized the treasurer of the Dzus Fastener Co., Francis Clarke, to look for new, larger quarters in New York City.

The capacious Fletcher Mansion, with its prestigious address and unique architectural style, was perfectly suited for the Ukrainian Institute, and in 1955 the mansion was purchased by the Ukrainian Institute of America corporation with the charitable generosity and support of Mr. Dzus. In June of 1962 the mortgage was paid off and subsequently the Ukrainian Institute of America attained landmark status.

The Ukrainian Institute takes great pride in the fact that almost 50 years after moving into its new home at 2 E. 79th St., William Dzus' dreams and aspirations are still very much alive and thriving. Boasting a membership of over 400 people, some of the events sponsored by the institute in the last year were: the Les Kurbas Theater performing a memorable apocrypha based on the writings of Lesia Ukrainka; a scholarly conference on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Mikhailo Hrushevsky's birth; a seminar with Adrian Karatnycky, president of Freedom House, on "Ukraine, the United States and Russia"; commemorations of the 10th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster with an exhibition of photos, paintings and videos; and a business conference in conjunction with the Consulate General of Ukraine in New York. The Music at the Institute classical music concert series, under the capable directorship of Mykola Suk and leadership of Dr. Taras Shegedyn, continues to draw large audiences and is experiencing a very successful winter season.

On November 15, 1996, the Ukrainian Institute of America held its annual membership meeting. After the reading of the minutes from last year's meeting, several committee and annual reports, Walter Baranetsky, president of the Ukrainian Institute of America, announced that after an extensive interviewing process a new executive director had been chosen.

Stephanie Charczenko, a member of the board of directors of the Ukrainian National Home, vice-president of the Society of Ukrainian Jewish Relations and a Ukrainian community activist, was introduced to the members of the institute by Mr. Baranetsky. Besides administering the normal day-to-day operations of the institute, Ms. Charczenko will be responsible for publicity, promotion, public relations, events planning, grant proposals and fund-raising activities.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting were how to expand the membership to include younger Ukrainians in the community, organizing and planning new and innovative events.

As of the annual meeting the board consists of the following members: Mr. Baranetsky, Peter Charchalis, Myron Hnateyko, Luba Kos, Jaroslav Kryshtalsky, Joseph Lesawyer, Walter Nazarewicz, Andrew Paschuk, George Sawicki, Bohdan Shandor, Dr. Shegedyn, Orest Slupchynsky, Bohdanna Terech, Karl Zaininger and Lydia Zaininger.

At its monthly meeting on December 10, 1996, the board elected new officers and committee chairs. The board re-elected Mr. Baranetsky as president of the institute; Mr. Kryshtalsky was voted in as vice-president; Ms. Kos, treasurer; and Mrs. Zaininger, secretary. The chairman of the Culture Committee is Mr. Slupchynsky, and Dr. Shegedyn will once again serve as the executive director of Music at the Institute. Mr. Nazarewicz is the new chairman of the Fund-raising Committee, and Mr. Hnateyko was chosen as the chairman of the Building Committee.

Other committee chairs are: membership, Mr. Charchalis; finance, Ms. Kos; and strategic planning, Mr. Shandor. The board is also considering establishing an Education Committee. Additionally, Deanna Hazen was appointed as the legal advisor to the board.

As the saying goes, "Diamonds are forever," but this gem, the Ukrainian Institute of America, has lost some of its luster and needs polishing. In 1998 the Ukrainian Institute will commemorate the 50th anniversary of its inception as well as the 100th anniversary of the chateau. In preparation for these milestones, and as reported recently in The New York Times, the Ukrainian Institute of America will be undergoing an ambitious restoration project commencing with the slate roof. The repair, at a cost of $250,000, is merely a beginning for a building that desperately needs both exterior and interior restoration.

At a cost of approximately $150,000 per year for maintenance, the institute relies upon the financial assistance of membership donations, sponsorships, benefactors, federal grants, etc. to preserve the sparkle of this jewel of the Ukrainian community.

On the anniversary of William Dzus' birth, January 5, the members who tirelessly sacrificed so much of their time to sustain the Dzus legacy ponder the future of the Ukrainian Institute of America and the perpetuation of the rich Ukrainian culture that he loved so dearly. They agree that the younger generation must now grasp the torch and fuel the flame, giving birth to innovative and exciting ideas and ventures, cultivating and fostering the goals of the Ukrainian Institute of America into the 21st century.

| Home Page |