Historic Preservation Committee

Our cultural and religious Lipka Tatar history is extremely important and valuable. Specifically with this in mind, the Mosque Board established a Historic and Preservation Committee, which meets twice a month via Zoom.

If preserving the history of our mosque interests you, one way to contribute is to share with us photographs of your handwritten prayers, memorabilia, pictures, or anything else related to our Lipka Tatar history and our mosque. We are gathering a collection, including pictures of all of the items in the mosque and scans of nearly all of the ledgers in the office to be preserved and protected for the future. If you share pictures of your items, provide as many details as possible such as names, dates, locations, and circumstances so that they can be protected and preserved together. Another way to contribute is to record a ten to fifteen-minute “oral history” of your memories from the mosque. One of our members can help you get started. To know more or to attend a committee meeting, email us at MMinc1907@gmail.com.

The charter of our committee is to discover, collect, inventory, interpret, disseminate, and promote the existence and knowledge of artifacts at the Moslem Mosque, Inc., at 106 Powers Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211 that include relevant facts and accomplishments of all Lipka Tatars of Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, and elsewhere prior to their immigration to the United States of America, Lipka Tatars who immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, and elsewhere, and both past members and current members of the Moslem Mosque, Inc.

The committee’s goals and aspirations are:

HISTORIC: To continually discover the history of Lipka Tatars from Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, and elsewhere; to continually collect all existing articles, contacts, correspondence, events, materials, objects, projects, publications, and other resources that mention the mosque and its members; and to continually add current members’ oral histories and stories.

PRESERVATION: Identify what requires repair and/or restoration; decide what might be removed in accordance with our members’ concerns, interests, and values to store in perpetuity; determine what institution might possibly house our collection; disseminate, educate, and exhibit our history; assist in and cooperate with other similar projects and programs in the United States; and exchange information with appropriate institutions outside the United States. ADMINISTRATIVE: Meet regularly in support of our charter, submit our meeting notes to the Board and our members, share our activities with the Board and our members, determine a budget, and seek funds.

Thank you for your consideration of our desire and determination.