The new Italian American Museum opened its doors on Oct. 14, housing various exhibits throughout its facility, including both permanent exhibits and temporary additions that commemorate the museum’s grand opening.
The museum is located on Mulberry Street, which was once the site of the largest Italian American community in the United States.
The museum strives to be a cultural hub and a space for Italian American heritage, bringing the culture to a new generation.
The idea for the IAM opening began with the launch of the Italian American exhibition at the New York Historical Society, “The Italians of New York: Five Centuries of Struggle and Achievement;” its success further pushed the idea.
The museum was chartered in New York on June 21, 2001, by Dr. Joseph Scelsa.
The first, single-room Italian American Museum was opened by the founder in 2008. The new building has been in the works since 2018.
The new building includes exhibits such as “Sicilian Theater in Little Italy: The Return of the Manteo Puppets,” “Verrazzano’s Voyage to America: The Quintessential Year,” and “Goodnight Maria.”
The Manteo puppet collection was previously located at 109 Mulberry Street but was given by the son of the theater’s founder, Michael Manteo, under the pledge that they’d return to Mulberry Street.
Puppet theaters provided a great form of entertainment in Sicily from the 1800s to the 1950s, and Agrippino Manteo is cited as popularizing the tradition in the United States.
The puppets presented in the IAM are carved out of wood and metal, wearing different colored cloths and are life-sized.
The “Goodnight Maria” exhibit serves as a tribute to women who worked in the garment industry. The sculpture of “Goodnight Maria” depicts 95-year-old Maria Pulsone, who worked as a seamstress in the garment district.
The term “Goodnight Maria” references what the women would say to her when exiting the garment building.
The IAM building also offers walking tours of Little Italy, conducted by the Head of Education in the IAM, Marie Palladino. The walking tour is open for families and individuals on a time-permitted basis on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and open to schools on weekdays by appointment.
The Italian American Museum hopes to bring the Sicilian Puppet Theater, “Fratelli Napoli,” in for various live performances. The IAM also hopes to open its own seating theater.
The Italian American Museum won’t only be a site to preserve Italian American history but also an educational hub for future generations.