The Italian American Museum in Little Italy, New York, was inaugurated yesterday, October 1st. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and founder and president Joseph Scelsa, along with the Consul General of New York, Fabrizio Di Michele.
The opening of the Italian American Museum marks an important milestone in commemorating the sacrifices of Italians in building and developing this country. The museum serves not only as a tribute to the past but also as a bridge between the old and new generations of Italian immigrants, playing a crucial role in keeping Little Italy alive, the true heart of Italian history in America.
Located at 151 Mulberry Street, the Italian American Museum will become a cultural hub and a catalyst for the Italian American community through the organization of permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational and cultural programs, and collaborations with the community. Its mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the culture and history of Italian Americans, allowing them to tell their stories in their own voices.
The first exhibition to inaugurate the Italian American Museum will be the Manteo Puppet Collection. The Manteo Puppet Theater was located at 109 Mulberry Street in the early 20th century. Thirty-two of these puppets were donated by Michael Manteo, son of the theater’s founder, Agrippino Manteo.
