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Center for Italian Culture Archives

Center for Italian Culture Collection consists of donated materials from individuals, families, and organizations, presents archival documents and artifacts related to the history of Italian- Americans in New England

Center for Italian Culture Archival Collection in the Library's University Archives

Located in the University Archives and Special Collections, the Center for Italian Culture (CIC) archival collection  consists of donated materials from individuals, families, and organizations, and presents archival documents and artifacts related to the history of Italian-Americans in New England, with a particular focus on Central Massachusetts.

The CIC archival collection includes both physical items as well as digitized materials. You can explore the digitized portion of the collection anytime through the Archive's Digital Archive. We invite you to explore our most recent addition, the Michael Vincent Addorisio Family Collection. This new collection includes series of letters written by a son of the City of Fitchburg, Michael Vincent Addorisio, to his family during World War II. The letters, postcards, and medals presented here depict a military life that was tragically cut short while serving on the USS Reid during World War II. This collection was carefully curated, preserved, and donated by Michael Vincent Addorisio's niece Rose Anne Addorisio, a Center for Italian Culture Board Member, and Professor Emeritus from Fitchburg State University.

The physical collection is accessible to any member of the University community, including alumni as well as visiting scholars and the general public. The  University Archive is located on the Street Level of Hammond Hall, Room S03.  Visits to the Archive are  by appointment only Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.  Please note that evening or weekend hours can be arranged with advance notice. Contact the Archivist. Asher Jackson, at ajacks19@fitchburgstate.edu or (978) 665-4869.    

 

The collection includes both physical items as well as digitized materials.  Where possible, an icon is used to denote when an item is physical or digital. 

Events

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

The Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State University celebrated more than 20 years of supporting scholarships, cultural programming, and its archival collections with a fundraising gala at the Fitchburg Art Museum on Saturday, June 11, 2022. Event speakers included Fitchburg State University President Richard Lapidus, City of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale and the Center for Italian Culture President Anna Clemente. It was a wonderful evening with signature cocktails and yummy food, music by noted soprano Maria Ferrante, and Asta della Fortuna Italian raffles. A special gallery exhibit featured photographs by Fitchburg State students during university-sponsored travel to Verona, Italy.  A digital timeline created by Fitchburg State archival staff entitled Italian-Americans in Central Massachusetts was displayed.

Check out the latest addition to the CIC Collection!

Patricia Vacca Martin Collection, Sons of Italy, Fitchburg. 

This collection is donated by Patricia Martin after being preserved carefully by her mother. The collection is about Sons of Italy here in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The Order Sons of Italy in America was founded nearly a century ago in 1904 by Dr. Vincenzo Sellaro. It quickly became the largest organization of Americans of Italian origin. The idea was to unite the Italians in one great organization which would enable them to struggle to become the authors of their own destinies. For more information on this collection check out Patricia Vacca Martin Collection.

You can access Michael Addorisio Collection by clicking on the post or by clicking on the left side tab named "Michael Addorisio Collection"

Michael Vincent Addorisio Family Collection is a unique series of letters written by Michael V.  Addorisio to his family during World War II. The letters, postcards, and medals presented here depict a military life that was tragically cut short while serving on the USS Reid during World War II. His letters describe travels across the United States by train to his first duty station and his journey across the world by sea. Routines of a sailor's life and a firsthand account of Pearl Harbor are included. His medals, letters and that fateful Western Union Telegram bring Michael's story to life.

 

 

Learn more about Amelia Galluci Circio under related collections. This collection represents Amelia's' life starting with her graduation at Fitchburg State University, her marriage and family, becoming a teacher and receiving a "Doctor of Humane Letters Degree", her donations and initiatives to the community. 

 

Part of the Related Collections is the Archives is the collection Italian-American Citizen’s Club of Leominster. This interesting collection gives insight on the goals and objectives of this club. The object of the Italian-American Citizens Club of Leominster was to encourage the naturalization of Italians; to teach them American Ideals and to develop in them a proper appreciation of the duties and the benefits of American citizenship; to improve the political and economic and social life of the Italian-American citizens.

Interview of Amelia Gallucci Circio. Part of the collection Sogni d’Oro Interviews (Dreams of Gold), 2001-2002.

Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio

 

Part of the collection Sogni d’Oro Interviews Dreams of Gold), 2001-2002 is also the interview of Amelia Gallucci Circio. In this interview, Amelia talks about her childhood, Italian heritage, and the importance of preserving it, joining the  Fitchburg Teachers College from 1934-1938, how she met her husband and What inspired Amelia to donate money towards the education of others and the preservation of Italian culture. The effect of the Great Depression on her family and what life was like during World War II. Click on the hyperlink above to listen to her interview. 

 

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