From Italy to America Opens March 1 at Greenwich Historical Society

From Italy to America combines an installation celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Italian-American community in Greenwich, Connecticut, with a complementary exhibition of black and white photographs from the show From Italy to America: The Photographs of Anthony Riccio, organized by the Bellarmine Museum of Art, Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut. Notes Town Ambassador Bea Crumbine, who has been actively involved in facilitating the Greenwich exhibition since its inception, “Anthony Riccio grew up in New Haven’s Italian community where he documented a way of life that was fast disappearing. Seeing the incredible faces in his photos made me realize how important it is to recognize the stories of Italian-Americans right here in our own community before we lose them.”

From Italy to America also includes historic memorabilia, photos, objects and documents found by the Greenwich Historical Society “discovery team” led by board member Pat Dillon, Bea Crumbine and guest curator Kathie Bennewitz and aided by the St. Lawrence Society, St. Roch’s Parish, the Greenwich Library and its Oral History Project. Residents of Italian heritage from all over town unearthed material for the exhibition from closets, attics, trunks and family coffers and shared recollections of the individuals, institutions, events and traditions that shaped the Italian-American community and the town. Over forty residents discussed the Italian-American immigrant experience in Greenwich. These interviews were edited into clips, which will be on view in the exhibition and on the Greenwich Historical Society website (www.greenwichhistory.org). The interview segments were produced by TimeStories, a video biography production company founded by Emmy Award-winning creative director Peter Savigny. The exhibition will be complemented by a variety of public programs (to be announced).
 
Another happy occasion related to From Italy to America is a ceremony that will take place on opening day, March 1, that will designate two towns in southern Italy (Morra De Sanctis in Campania and Rose in Calabria) as sister cities with Greenwich. Many of Greenwich’s Italian-American residents emigrated from these two small towns. At the ceremony, First Selectman Peter Tesei will present official documents to the mayors of both towns, who will have travelled to the United States especially for this event.
 
Exhibition Hours
March 1 to June 30, 2013

Wednesday-Sunday, noon to 4 pm
Greenwich Historical Society Storehouse Gallery
39 Strickland Road, Cos Cob, CT 06807
Members (and children 6 and under): free
Nonmembers: $10 for adults; $8 for seniors and students
Private group tours are available by appointment.
203-869-6899; www.greenwichhistory.org