Modern architecture, art, and the search for a national style, which flourished in interwar Lithuania and particularly in Kaunas, left their marks not only in the homeland. Even while Lithuania was still independent, local creators implemented projects in countries like the USA, and the wave of post-war emigrants created a kind of continuation of independent Lithuanian creativity across the Atlantic. Today, this heritage remains well-preserved and awaits discovery by all who are interested. You can explore all these sites on the map being developed by the Heritage Commission at upaveldas.lt
One lesser-known type of Lithuanian heritage in the USA is the so-called “Lithuanian Rooms,” which has a national spirit and reminds the homeland. This tradition began in 1935, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kaunas announced a competition for the decoration projects of the “Lithuanian Room” at the University of Pittsburgh. The aim was to represent Lithuania and the Lithuanian community alongside 18 other nations. Pittsburgh is one of the centers of the coal and steel industry in the USA, and Lithuanians contributed to the prosperity of this region with their work.
The interior design competition for the room at the University of Pittsburgh was won by artist Antanas Gudaitis. Antanas Gudaitis used artistic compositions and ornamentation based on authentic folk art materials found at the M. K. Čiurlionis Gallery in Kaunas. The Lithuanian-inspired interior at the University of Pittsburgh became an inspiration to create another “Lithuanian Room,” this time at one of the universities in Detroit. The opening of the room took place on February 16, 1978, marking the 60th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence.
In Cleveland, the tradition of “Cultural Gardens” began in 1916, inspired by the Shakespeare Monument. Kazys S. Karpius proposed creating a Lithuanian “Cultural Garden,” and later, after discussions with the Jewish community, the idea was presented to the city council to allow all nations to establish gardens in Rockefeller Park. The Lithuanian Cultural Garden Association implemented the idea, raising over $80,000. The form of the Lithuanian “Cultural Garden” resembles a lyre, symbolizing the nation’s affinity for song. In 1939, a “Peace” Garden was established in Rockefeller Park, where soil from various national homelands was buried, including soil from Birutė Hill.
The descriptions are based on material collected by architectural historian Dr. Vaidas Petrulis.
The National Commission for Cultural Heritage, while implementing the project “Lithuanian Interwar Modernism School and Its Continuity Signs on the World Map (Updating the U-PAVELDAS Database with New Narratives and Dissemination)” funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, has updated its map and database with new sites and stories. You can find these and other sites at upaveldas.lt
Upaveldas.lt is an initiative of the National Commission for Cultural Heritage, aimed at continuously collecting information about significant Lithuanian heritage worldwide.
Heritage Commission is an expert and advisor to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania, President of the Republic of Lithuania and to Government of the Republic of Lithuania regarding the national policy of cultural heritage protection, its implementation, evaluation and improvement.