Support our Work

Many of the original members of Plast in Ukraine adopted monikers in keeping with the tradition established by the early 20^th century military unit, Ukrainian Sich Rifleman (Січові Стрільці– Ukr). Dr. Tysovskyj’s moniker was DROT (ДРОТ – Ukr.) , an acronym of his title and first initials of his first and last name. 

The UMA has in its collection several original documents and historical accounts that belonged to Dr. Oleksander Tysovskyj (Олександер Тисовський – Ukr.), who adapted the universal Scout principles to the needs and interests of Ukrainian youth. While still in Ukraine, he authored “Life in Plast” (Життя в Пласті – Ukr.), the Ukrainian Plast Scout Handbook, a copy of which is in the UMA collection.

In its collection, the UMA has interesting accounts and photos of Dr. Tysovskyj’s work with Plast at the Academic High School (Академічна Гімназія – Ukr.) in Lviv in the years immediately following the founding of Plast and prior to the outbreak of World War I.

Escaping Soviet occupation of Ukraine in 1944, DROT emigrated to Vienna where he became involved organizing Plast in exile.

In 1964, DROT wrote a speech for the dedication and unveiling  of the Taras Shevchenko Monument in Washington D.C. The dedication occurred on the 150^th anniversary of the famous Ukrainian poet’s birth. The UMA holds in its collection both a handwritten draft and a published version of the speech.

Dr. Tysovskyj (August 9, 1886-March 29, 1968) led an interesting and eventful life. Not long before his death, DROT wrote a 30-page autobiography. He sealed the text in an envelope that he asked be opened only upon his death.

The envelope was opened in the presence of Mykola Kawka, Myroslava Huk, H Andriyevskiy and, D. Melnyk. The UMA holds in its collection the original handwritten document and envelope in which the document was sealed.

In 1968, Dr. Oleksander Tysovskyj passed away. He was buried in Vienna. Members of Plast, young and old, continued to visit DROT’s grave site for decades after his death to pay their respects to the man who established one of the greatest organizations to influence their lives.

In 2002, Dr. Oleksander Tysovskyj was reburied at the famous Lychakivskyi Cemetery in Lviv.