Premises

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE UMIASTOVSKI PALACE
 
 
In 1882,  Vilnius aristocrat Count Vladislov Umiastovski (1833-1905) married a beauty of the aristocratic Warsaw salons, countess Janina Ostrorog-Sadovska. Janina had travel extensively through Europe, was highly educated, knowledgeable in music and art, frequented famous people,  among them Richard Wagner and his family. The marriage was a happy one but it did not produce any heirs.
 
After the death of her husband,  Janina started to actively use  the palace located in Trakų street No. 2. She organized large social gatherings, it's  rooms hosted secret Lithuanian meetings, was home to  Intelectual Clubs and social organizations. 
 
During the first years of WWI the countess opened the doors to a military  hospital facility with 70 beds. During the approach of the Russian front she tried to leave to Switzerland but was long delayed in Saint Petersburg 
 
In 1919 the countess came back to Vilnius to find the Palace in disrray but very soon she brought it back to its original splendor incorporating Chinese, French, Bizantine and other styles.  
 
Janina gave generously to charity,  donated sveral plots of land with it's buildings to the Vilnius University, she founded a Sewing School for girls of poor families, in 1934 she started the Vladislav and Janina Umistovski Fund , financed the restoration works of the Vilniaus Cathedral.  For her  contributions to the Church the Pope Benedict XV granted her the title of Marchioness. 
 
In 1939 Janina Umiastovska left for Italy, she left with a broken heart since she was unable to find an institution that will accept the donation of her art collection, during that year the Soviet Army invaded Vilnius and plundered the palace. Thirty three trucks left for Russia with furniture,  vases,  rugs,  chandeliers and the valuable painting collection. Only a small portion of the estate was saved by the Housekeeper who latter emigrated to Germany. The remaining chandeliers adorn the restored Verkių palace in the outskirts of Vilnius.

In 2008 the Vilnius Municipality  allowed Vilniaus Club the use of the premises which are, since then, being restored by contributions of its members. It is an honor for the Club to continue with the intelectual and charitable work started by Marchioness Janina Umiastovska.
 
Janina Umiastovska died in Switzerland in 1941.