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Ciao Amici! This year, the Italian American Program is celebrating 30 years as a part of the History Center and, in honor of this milestone, we are publishing a book entitled Highlights from the Italian American Collection: Western Pennsylvania Stories. While we might not be able to host a public event as we originally intended, we are offering a v...

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The book “The Italy-Morenci Connection: Pioneers from Italy to Morenci AZ” is a tribute to our brave forefathers, the vast majority of whom had no formal education or of any  knowledge of the English language, who in defiance to the unknown, left their native soil to venture in a wild semi-unexplored territory hoping to find a better life for thems...

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During his pro-wrestling heyday, Bruno Sammartino sold out Madison Square Garden 188 times, was named the world’s strongest man and held the WWE Championship Belt for 2,803 consecutive days. Arnold Schwarzenegger called Bruno's life "one of the greatest immigration stories that anyone can think of."  But that life of triumph almost didn't happen. B...

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I offer glimpses about what life was like with my Italian migrant family not to be self-serving. No! There is no doubt that many of you who read these articles have lived through the same experiences. My purpose is solely to share these stories of Italian immigrant life, for the benefit of our descendants…so they know! With that in mind, let me des...

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Mother Cabrini opened an orphanage in the French Quarter in 1892 As a Yellow Fever Epedemic was leaving many orphans in New Orleans, Mother Cabrini arrived. In 1904, she received $75,000.00 from Captain Salvatore Pizzati to build a new orphange which is became Cabrini High School in 1959. Records show that 7,849 people died in New Orleans in 1853 d...

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In the arc of my family’s history, there have been many hardships—grueling emigration, job loss, war, poverty—much of which I can’t fully relate to. But in the growing crisis that has paralyzed Italy, the U.S. and much of the world, I now have a glimpse at just one of many unforgiving realities that our ancestors faced for much of their lives. It g...

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A native of Toronto, Joseph Yanuziello is the master craftsman behind some of the world’s most sought-after guitars. In the boutique guitar marketplace, where instruments routinely command $5,000 or more, Joseph Yanuziello’s instruments have become so popular you might think his company’s motto is “sold out.” As fast as he can build his stunning in...

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Born in Italy and trained by the Army as a cameraman, Gino Bartucci toured the country photographing atomic bombs, filming bombers flying overhead and helping create documentaries. Gino Bartucci was born in Malvitani di Rende, a small village in Calabria. Of the nine children born to Vincenzo and Maria Carmella (Pisello) Bartucci, six survived infa...

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If any language proves that there’s room at the linguistic table for everyone… it’s Italian! This week, we continue our examination of the languages of Italy as we take a closer look at her many Regional Languages and Dialects, including the unique blend of Italian and English spoken by Italian Americans through the generations. We’ll discuss the s...

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In continuing the series on the lives of my great-grandparents, I bring you the story of how in 1893 my Italian great-grandfather, Michele Lombardi, arrived in the United States at the age of 9 with his mother. The following is in his own words, from the “Rambling Episode” he wrote in 1969 about his life. “We went by train from Isernia to Naples an...

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