Italian Historical Society

of America Newsletter

OCTOBER 2017 BY JANICE THERESE MANCUSO VOLUME 13, NUMBER 10 Tutto Italiano Benvenuto a Tutto Italiano

The geography of Italy is stunning. The “boot shaped peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea” has “some of the most varied and scenic landscapes on earth.” About 50 percent of the land has mountains and foothills – rimming its borders, extending through the entire center of the country to the toe of the boot, and almost covering the islands of Sardinia and Sicily.

The terrain makes it ideal for terraced gardens, planned to utilize the land more efficiently for planting, adding beauty, and preventing erosion. Terraced gardens date back to ancient times, but it was during the height of the Italian Renaissance when the formal design gained popularity.

The gardens at Villa d’Este in Tivoli, about 20 miles slightly northeast of (region of Lazio), were commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este in the mid 1500s. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “is one of the most remarkable and comprehensive illustrations of Renaissance culture at its most refined.” Construction began with an aqueduct that supplied the city and villa with water. The hill where the villa was to be built had to be reshaped, and a second aqueduct was added.

The layered terraces showcase thousands of plantings and more than 50 fountains. Some of the most well known are The Hundred Fountains (a walkway with three tiered canals and spouts), the Fountain of Rometta (symbolizing ancient Rome), the Fountain of the Owl (animated with singing birds and an owl), and the Fountain of the Organ (music by water and air). Ponds, grottos, and other water features, statues, and panoramic views provide a magnificent setting for the sixteenth century villa.

Map of Villa d’Este (Scroll Down)

The Exquisite Fountains of Villa d’Este (Beautiful Photos)

Tivoli Villa d’Este (More Beautiful Photos)

Villa d’Este - the Gardens (Great Photos)

Villa d’Este: A Triumph of the Baroque

Map of Aqueducts

To Save Its Cliffside Towns, Italy Revives the Art of Terracing (NYT Article, June 2017)

When in Rome Italy’s history is filled with nobility and many made their homes in Rome.

A Directory of Roman Palaces

Mingling with aristocrats: A peek into Rome's palaces (CNN, January 2017)

The city was also home to the working class and those who served the nobles; all creating a diverse socio-economic group. As the aqueducts supplied easier access to water, Roman roads provided a straightforward means of transportation; and because Roman law banned burials within city walls, the roads also provided the final resting place for many residents. Those with money built tombs along the roads, those without were sometimes buried on the side of the road.

One road, an offshoot of the Appian Way, was discovered while building a McDonalds in Marino (about 13 miles southeast of Rome). McDonalds Italia funded the restoration of the road, creating its first “restaurant-museum.” A glass floor shows the road beneath “preserved in an underground gallery that features educational panels describing what archaeologists have learned about it.” The road is “accessible from the outside; you don’t need to set foot in the restaurant,” and the exhibit includes the (resin) skeletons of three bodies that were buried on the side of the road.

Italian McDonald’s Serves Up a Side of Roman Ruins

The dangerous streets of ancient Rome

The Romans and Their Dead

From the Italian American Press Learn more about Rome from these books listed on the Italian American Press

The Devils of Rome Made Me Do It by Jackelin J Jarvis: A collection of wisdom and life experience that will take the reader through a fascinating journey of Roman culture.

100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go by Susan Van Allen: A guide to attractions that focus on a female association (but not just for women), with behind- the-scenes information that gives the visitor a better understanding of each location's fascinating history.

The Italian Achievement by Arturo Barone: An A-Z of over 1000 "firsts" achieved by in almost every aspect of life over the last 1000 year.

Our Lady of Loreto Update Our Lady of Loreto Church, the National Italian Church designed and built by Italian immigrants from 1906 to 1908 in Brooklyn, is still standing. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn/Catholic Charities owns and agreed to maintain the church, but let it deteriorate as an excuse to tear it down and build 64 apartments for low-income housing. The building is “eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places,” and community residents have banded together in their efforts to convert the church into a well needed arts and cultural center.

In April, a judge issued a temporary order to block the demolition, but recently lifted the order, stating the petitioner had no standing. Members of The Brownsville Cultural Coalition, formed by those who live in surrounding areas, have filed a petition for breach of contract.

Help the Coalition preserve this important part of Italian American heritage and history.

From Mario Toglia, historian and member of the Coalition: The Significance: Our Lady of Loreto church is a true marvel of advanced construction and the first church built in Pure Italian Renaissance style in the . This structure is a rare and only example of a church built by a team of all Italian immigrant crafters – deliberately chosen to highlight the architectural talents of their native land and to counterattack the nativist prejudice against Italians as being uncivilized and uneducated. Adriano Armezzani is the first Italian-born architect of a Roman in NYC. The 33-ft long pediment is New Jersey sculptor- laureate Gaetano Federici’s largest artwork and the only representation of the Miracle of Loreto outside Europe. The frescoes on the ceiling were done by Gaetano Capone and include replicas of ’s Transfiguration of Christ and Murillo’s . By coincidence, the land under the church was once owned by Pietro Alberti, first Italian settler to New Amsterdam.

Brownsville residents and allies seek to preserve this testament to 90-years of Italian- American history and re-adapt this exceptional landmark-eligible structure as a cultural arts center. Many artistic organizations have demanded from city and state a decent venue other than the basement of a housing project. Our Lady of Loreto is near major transportation, seats over 1,000 people, has an amazing architectural appeal and has a legacy rooted in family, which is so fundamental to appreciating the arts.

The Scandal: In 2010 the Diocese of Brooklyn and their real estate arm, Catholic Charities, received millions of dollars from New York State and to build housing around Our Lady of Loreto. As a condition for this grant, Catholic Charities was required to preserve and maintain this historic church building. However, Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Brooklyn deliberately let the building deteriorate, and then used the allegedly dilapidated condition of the building as a pretext for its demolition. Now Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Brooklyn are attempting to demolish the historic building, breaking a contract with the government and walking away with millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Therefore, the Brownsville Cultural Coalition (BCC) -- a group of concerned residents, historians and art connoisseurs -- has filed a lawsuit for breach of contract.

How You Can Help: If demolished, not only does Brownsville (and all of Brooklyn) lose an architectural gem, but also its last vestige of Italian immigrant history and achievements. Currently, BCC is looking for financial support to pay for its lawyers. BCC is seeking help through donations at www.gofundme.com/saveOLL. Please also follow our campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/saveOLL

Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita, Janice Therese Mancuso Author of Con Amore Thirty-One Days of Italians The Italian American Press *~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~ Please Note: On the date of publication, the links in this newsletter were current. In older newsletters, some links may be inactive if the URL has changed or is no longer available.

©2017 by Janice Therese Mancuso. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission except when quoted for promotional purposes. Publish with this credit: Excerpted from Tutto Italiano ©2017 by Janice Therese Mancuso. www.jtmancuso.com

October is an exceptional month for celebrating Italian heritage and culture. Whether it’s designated Italian American Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage and Culture Month, or Italian Heritage Month, the rich history and traditions of a nationality that has vastly contributed to humanity – not only in America but also throughout the world – deserves awareness. In today’s volatile political environment, and with concerns about immigration and naturalization, it’s important to know about the Italians journey to America, and the significance of keeping our history and cultural identity alive.

During the mass migration, from the late 1800s to the early 1920s, Italians faced many perils when they arrived in America. At a disadvantage because of language and cultural barriers, they also encountered deep hostility, prejudice towards their religious beliefs, and acts of violence. Considered undesirable, they had difficulties finding jobs and places to live; however, they were not the first immigrants to experience discrimination.

“Nativism is a strong dislike for ethnic, religious, or political minorities within one’s culture. In North America it was founded principally upon the fear that immigrant attitudes will erode the distinctive features of the majority culture. … Nativism is common in most cultures during times of economic or political turmoil …”

The first “full-blown nativist frenzy” occurred during the 1830s, when an “influx of more than a quarter million Irish, most of them Catholic” arrived in America. In 1882, the “Chinese Exclusion Act was the first major law restricting immigration to the United States. It was enacted in response to economic fears, especially on the West Coast, where native-born Americans attributed unemployment and declining wages to Chinese workers whom they also viewed as racially inferior.” Earlier immigrants from Germany also faced obstacles, but when the Italians arrived, intolerance against southern European immigrants had peaked.

“The Immigration Act of 1917, the most sweeping version of that type of legislation the country had ever created,” imposed a literacy test and a tax on every adult immigrant, and barred all immigrants from several Asian countries. Still, “immigration rose dramatically in 1920, with fears that millions of Europe's war refugees were about to invade the United States. Racism influenced many opinions, with Warren G. Harding, later president of the United States, calling for legislation to allow only people whose racial background proved that they could embrace American values to immigrate.” The Immigration Act of 1921-1924 established “a quota system [to] put an end to the ideal of the United States as a refuge for those escaping their home country in hope of a better life.”

While immigration from Italy substantially decreased, those who had already made America their home were becoming Americanized. During World War II, when Mussolini turned Italy into America’s enemy, many enlisted in the U.S. Military to show their support for their adopted country. The United States, though, branded 600,000 Italians with legal residence, “enemy aliens.” Read about “Una Storia Segreta” (A Secret Story/History).

Through a dedicated work ethic and strong perseverance, Italians have assimilated. From building bridges to building businesses, Italians became an integral part of America; but also encountered their Italian traditions being absorbed, entwined with the American way of life.

Italian Heritage and Culture Month: 41 Years of Posters

Nativism and Immigration Restriction (Who Built America, Volume II; 2000)

Italian Culture on Exhibit The Metropolitan Museum of Art will exhibit a rare collection of various works by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The exhibit, Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer showcases “128 of his drawings, three of his marble sculptures, his earliest painting, his wood architectural model for a chapel vault, … a monumental cartoon for his last fresco in the Vatican Palace” and other items “selected from 50 public and private collections in the United States and Europe.” The painting, The Torment of Anthony, is “believed to have been painted when he was twelve or thirteen years old.” The exhibit is at The Met Fifth Avenue from November 13, 2017, through February 12, 2018.

To learn more about Italians in America, visit an Italian American Museum. Most of the museums below offer online tours of their permanent collections and narratives of current and prior exhibits. (Descriptions of museums, some edited, are from each website.)

American Italian Museum; , Louisiana Housed within the American Italian Cultural Center, the museum tells the history of American Italians in the Southeast and their contributions to all areas of daily life. The collection includes photographs; articles; family histories; and memorabilia by themes such as Societies and Festivals, Music, the Immigrant, Genealogy, Personalities, and much more.

American Italian Heritage Museum; Albany, New York Located in a former church, the Museum features a series of permanent collections exhibited in separate rooms relating to the culture, traditions, military service, history and contributions of the Italian American population to the United States

The Enrico Caruso Museum of America; Brooklyn, New York (By Appointment) In tribute to the first and the most famous operatic tenor in the world, the museum proudly displays several rare items: records, heirlooms, and unpublished pictures; and a theater showing rare films of Enrico Caruso.

Garibaldi-Meucci Museum; Staten Island, New York The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.

Italian American Museum; New York, New York Located in the heart of New York’s “Little Italy,” this historic location once housed “Banca Stabile” founded in 1885. In addition to a full range of banking services, it also provided a link for the immigrants in the United States to their relatives in Italy. It has been restored and preserved, and is now open to the public, providing a range of exhibits that tell the Italian story in America

Italian American Museum of Los Angeles; California Located in the historic Italian Hall, the oldest remaining structure from Los Angeles’ Italian enclave and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Museum presents the Southern California Italian American experience with an emphasis on Los Angeles, a story that is inextricably linked to the region itself and represents a unique chapter of the Italian American Diaspora.

Museo Italo Americano; San Francisco, California Established in 1978, the first museum in the United States devoted exclusively to Italian and Italian-American art and culture. The mission is twofold: to research, collect, and display works of Italian and Italian-American artists, and to promote educational programs for the appreciation of Italian art and culture, thereby preserving the heritage of Italian-Americans for future generations. In addition to exhibits, the Museo maintains a small but impressive permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and works on paper by prominent Italian and Italian-American artists.

National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame; Chicago, Illinois Founded in 1977 as the Italian American Boxing Hall of Fame, one year later it was expanded to honor all Italian American athletes, as a non-profit, educational institution. With more that 250 inductees enshrined, some of its priceless artifacts include Mario Andretti’s Indy 500 racecar, Rocky Marciano’s first heavyweight championship belt, Vince Lombardi’s last coat worn as coach of the Green Bay Packers, and swimmer Matt Biondi’s Olympic Gold Medals.

The Movement Columbus Day has passed, and – for some – it’s more about the bargains than about an acknowledgement of historical significance. The Columbus Day Parade in New York City proceeded, but without the usual crowds, kept away by the rain. Still, those in the parade, many holding umbrellas, marched through the rain, honoring their Italian heritage and a man who is often maligned.

Sometimes, those who make more noise – even if they have unreasonable claims – get more attention; and sometimes, reason does prevail. Throughout the country, Italian Americans have to stand up to preserve Columbus Day; but without an awareness of his explorations, it’s an impossible task.

Anthony La Piana, founder and president of the National Italian American Council (NIAC), has been standing up to preserve Columbus Day since 1999. With “the belief that the First Amendment guarantees our freedom of expression, these Natural Rights afforded to citizens makes it possible for Italian Americans their individual right and their right as a nationality to celebrate [the] Christopher Columbus holiday, and to honor the great explorer based on his discovery of the New World.”

The NIAC launched a national grass roots campaign, gathering thousands of signatures and assisting in not only quelling the protest against the Columbus Day Parade in Denver, but also making it possible for the parade to take place each year. In 2005, Mr. La Piana was “chosen as the ‘Starter’ of the Columbus Parade … for his efforts [in] helping the Italian American people in Denver.”

Other efforts of the NIAC include its “mission to advance political legislation, social service programs, and long term care treatment for our brave men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice of serving the United States of America in time of need; an exhibit about “internment and other civil rights violations targeting Italians and Italian Americans during world war II in the USA,” and addressing the media representation responsible for “the biased and negative attitudes held towards Italian Americans and the Italian American culture.”

The NIAC “successfully lobbied to get both the U.S. Congress and Senate to support legislation HR 2442, Wartime Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act, that “Directs the Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive review of the treatment by the Federal Government of Italian Americans during World War II (between September 1, 1939, and December 31, 1945) and to report to Congress on the findings of such review.” The bill was signed into Public Law by President William J. Clinton on November 7, 2000.

Each mission of the NIAC interacts and merges with the its counterparts, creating the “Movement” exhibit, “an educational exhibit about the Italian American experience starting from World War II to the present.” Through his perseverance, Anthony has accomplished much to “to help save and defend a culture from losing its identity.”

An Official Apology Is Sought From U.S. (The New York Times, 08/11/97)

Fort Missoula Alien Detention Center

Thirty-One Days of Italians This year marks the eleventh anniversary of Thirty-One Days of Italians. In 2006, a list of Italians and Italian Americans who should be recognized for their extraordinary achievements was compiled and a website was created. The website features 74 names, but the annual List is limited to 31 – one for each day in October, Italian American Heritage Month.

The first day in October honors the Italian immigrant and the last day is set aside to honor someone not on the list. Honorary Members are on the List every year.

October 1: The Italian Immigrant [HM] A day to honor every Italian who journeyed to America from Italy. October 2: Amadeo Pietro Giannini [HM] Established the branch banking system in America. October 3: Guglielmo Marconi [HM] Known as the Father of Radio for his experiments with long distance wireless transmissions. October 4: Filippo Mazzei [HM] Supporter of American freedom during American Revolution. Thomas Jefferson’s inclusion of “all men are created equal” into the Declaration of Independence is a paraphrase of Mazzei’s “All men are by nature equally free and independent.” October 5: Antonio Meucci [HM] Original holder of the patent for the forerunner of today’s telephone. October 6: Robert Charles Gallo Founder and director of the Institute of Human Virology. Gallo is co-discoverer of the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and developed the HIV blood test. October 7: Giovanni Schiavo Largely responsible for initiating Italian American studies. October 8: John Buscema Master artist at Marvel Comics. October 9: Father Pietro Bandini [HM] Missionary for Native Americans. In 1898 established Tontitown, “a perfect example of colonization" in . October 10: Enrico Fermi [HM] Discovered radioactive elements that heralded the nuclear age. October 11: Antonio Pasin [HM] Created Radio Flyer wagon. October 12: Christopher Columbus [HM] Navigator that changed the world, opening trade routes and immigration from Europe to the Americas. October 13: Maria Montessori, M.D [HM] Developed an educational method for teaching children. October 14: Francesco Scavullo One of the most prominent glamour, fashion, and celebrity photographers in the world. October 15: Fred DeLuca Founder of Subway® restaurants. October 16: Grucci Family Fireworks by Grucci is one of the oldest fireworks companies in America and one of the most respected in the world. October 17: Mother Cabrini [HM] First American citizen to become a saint. October 18: Enrico Caruso [HM] World’s most acclaimed tenor in the early 1900s. October 19: Costantino Nivola Combining architecture with sculpture, Nivola is known for his bas relief and semi-abstract artistry, and for creating the technique for sand casting in cement. October 20: Jeno F.Paulucci Founder of Chun King Chinese Food, Jeno’s Pizza, and Bellisio Foods, the parent company of Michelina’s, and the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF). October 21: Arturo Toscanini [HM] One of the world’s greatest orchestra conductors. October 22: Father Cataldo Established a missionary for Native Americans in the 1850s and founded Gonzaga University. October 23: Leonard Riggio,Built Barnes & Noble into a book superstore during the 1980s and 90s. Present CEO. October 24: R.A. Salvatore Fantasy author with over 10 million copies of his books sold worldwide. October 25: Amerigo Vespucci [HM] Namesake of America. October 26: Giorgio Santelli U.S. National Coach and U.S. Olympic Coach, considered the best fencing coach of the twentieth century. October 27: Constantino Brumidi [HM] Known as the “Michelangelo of the [U.S.] Capitol.” October 28: Charlie Angelo Siringo One of the first Pinkerton undercover detectives, and attributed as a leading figure of cowboy heroes of the American West. October 29: Giuseppe Maria Francesco Vigo Assisted the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. October 30: Andrea Palladio [HM] "Father of Architecture," wrote The Four Books on Architecture, the most famous and influential books on architecture of all time, and still in print. October 31: Your Favorite Italian Celebrate someone not on the list, but greatly admired.

The Italian American Press Read about Italian culture and heritage. New books have been added to the Italian American Press. Author interviews in November: Lee Casazza, Big Mamma’s Italian American Cookbook; and Andrea Parisi, Italian Through Food.

Helsinki Revisited - A Key U.S. Negotiator’s Memoirs on the Development of the CSCE into the OSCE by John J. Maresca This informal and personal story chronicles the evolution of events – lasting from 1970 to the early 1990s – that eased the break-up of the USSR, brought what was called Eastern Europe into harmony with the West, and ended the Cold War in Europe.

Out of Rushmore’s Shadow - The Luigi Del Bianco Story by Lou Del Bianco Three stories – the carving of Mount Rushmore, the life of Luigi Del Bianco, and Lou’s quest to have his grandfather recognized as the chief carver of Mount Rushmore - woven into this historical book.

Learn more about the Robert D. Cess Concorso d'Eleganza at Stony Brook University (, NY) last month in this article by Alex Catti on i-Italy. See some pictures of the cars (two voted show favorites) at the new Photo Gallery on the Italian American Press.

Italian News Briefs A Remnant from Caligula’s Ship, Once a Coffee Table, Heads Home (The New York Times, 10/19/17)

In Italian Schools, Reading, Writing and Recognizing Fake News (The New York Times, 10/18/17)

Paid Leave When Your Dog Is Sick? Sì, Italian Employer Says (The New York Times, 10/12/17)

The Folk Music Festival That Started With A Spider Bite (NPR, 10/17/17)

Buon anno, buon tutto, buona vita, Janice Therese Mancuso Author of Con Amore The Italian American Press Thirty-One Days of Italians *~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~*~<>~ *~<>~* Please Note: On the date of publication, the links in this newsletter were current. In older newsletters, some links may be inactive if the URL has changed or is no longer available.

October 2017: Volume 14, Issue 10 ©2017 by Janice Therese Mancuso. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission except when quoted for promotional purposes. Publish with this credit: Excerpted from Tutto Italiano ©2017 by Janice Therese Mancuso. www.jtmancuso.com