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On 15 May, a ceremonial inauguration of “Tin Store” – Prisoner-of-War Museum took place in Szubin. The newly-established institution commemorates the fates of Allied Forces POWs detained in the camps based there during World War 2. The whole camp complex was home to nearly 10 thousand POWs of different nationalities. In the years 1943–1945, Oflag 64 Altburgund was functioning there as a camp designed exclusively for American officers of land forces.

The establishment of the museum in Szubin is the result of many-year international cooperation of families of former POWs, historians and enthusiasts affiliated to the Polish-American Foundation for the Commemoration of POW Camps in Szubin, which has been functioning since 2018. The chief initiator and substantive coordinator of the project is Mariusz Winiecki. His long involvement in documenting the history of Szubin camps, building relations with families of the former POWs from the USA, Great Britain and France, as well as acquisition of archival materials and memorabilia led to the successful implementation of this initiative within the authentic historical space.

The seat of the institution is located in the building of the former POW camp. In the camp structure this object played the function of a storehouse where food delivered by the International Red Cross was kept. This is why it was dubbed “Tin Store” in the POW nomenclature. The museum houses a permanent exhibition under the title “Tin Store: Prisoners of War in Szubin 1939–1945”. The exhibition has been prepared in two languages (Polish and English) and includes 85 exhibits, among which there are both original artefacts and specialist conservation copies. The dominant majority of presented collection were donated by the POWs’ descendants.

The enterprise stands out regarding the manner of its financing: the total cost of the adaptation and foundation of the place amounted to nearly PLN 1 million and was covered in 100% from private donations. The opening ceremony was attended by guests from the United States, delegations of families and researchers from Great Britain and France, as well as representatives of the local self-government and partner institutions of science and culture – including the delegation form our Museum, who were honoured to offer our personal congratulations to the creators of this successful undertaking.