– We could have sold this building, but we decided to invest in this institution and invite a branch of the State Archives to Bolesławiec. It was worth it. Today I am very pleased that we succeeded and that our efforts paid off – said Bolesławiec County Governor Dariusz Kwaśniewski during a visit to the Bolesławiec branch of the State Archives. – This is a major joint success. At first, we did not really believe it would work out, which makes today’s joy at the happy ending even greater.
– Some of the records date back to the 14th century and are very valuable, such as the “First Görlitz Book.” Documents this valuable are rare in small archives. In the modern premises, users will have access to a research room where they can consult the collected documents, dating from the 14th century to the present day. The renovated branch also includes impressive conference and exhibition facilities intended for educational and scholarly activities – emphasizes the institution’s head, Adam Baniecki, a resident of Bolesławiec who for years also managed the Lubań facility.
The move was a difficult logistical undertaking, given that since 1995 the archival holdings at the State Archives in Lubań had grown from just under 200 linear metres of records to 700 linear metres, stored on 500 m². The archives cover the areas of the present-day counties of Bolesławiec, Lubań and Zgorzelec.
– Lubań was reluctant to part with the Archives, but the potential buildings did not meet the requirements. We could also have taken over a plot of land, but the cost of constructing a new branch exceeded our capabilities. On the other hand, the support of Powiat Bolesławiecki and the offer to donate a building with great potential led to the decision to invest in Bolesławiec – said Janusz Gołaszewski, director of the State Archives in Wrocław.
Everything indicates that the Bolesławiec facility will be available to residents by the end of June.
Powiat Bolesławiecki/ii