It was Amore's labor.
new Italian American Museum Founder Joseph V. Celsa says the idea, which opens to the public Monday in a sleek digs at 151 Mulberry St. in Little Italy, has been in the works for more than 20 years.
“Every group needs to have its culture known and seen by the general public,” Celsa told the Post. “The Italians didn't have museums.”
Mr. Celsa, who for many years was dean of the Calandra Institute, the Italian education arm of Queens University of New York City, was particularly sincere in his efforts to create an Italian history exhibition for the New York Historical Society in 1999 that drew 100,000 people. He said it was one of the most successful exhibitions ever. in the history of society.
“I realized I could reach more people in a museum than in a classroom,” he said.
Hudson Valley resident Zoe Dunn took her daughter Morgan, 20, to the museum on Columbus Day before a spring semester abroad in Florence.
“I thought she needed a little bit of history and context to set the stage and get her in the mood to go,” said Dunn, 53.
Sucelsa has long been passionate about promoting the history of her heritage, and was even invited to the White House this week for an event celebrating Italian Americans. Ironically, he had to decline opening the Big Apple Museum on Columbus Day.
But it's been a long road to opening, only recently made possible thanks to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who committed $1 million in state funds to complete the project.
“It's difficult for museums to borrow money. It's not something banks want to do,” said Shelsa, who started raising money for his idea in 2001.
In 2008, he settled in Little Italy. Little Italy is the bustling neighborhood in Manhattan that first received an influx of millions of Italian immigrants at the turn of the century.
“We bought three buildings from a family that owned a bank on the corner of Grand and Mulberry that closed in 1931,” he said of Banca Stabile, which opened in 1885. “They were in such bad shape that we had to build something new.” ”
Starting in 2018, the company partnered with a developer to construct a new building with residential condominiums above the 7,000-square-foot museum on the ground floor.
No, you don't have to worry about greedy landlords. “We own everything,” said the museum's founder.
In the process, Celsa transformed into an Indiana Jones-like figure in Italian history, stocking up on memorabilia in her mother's Bronx home for eventual display.
“You should see what it's like,” he said. “People donate things to me, some of which are valuable and some of which are just precious to them.”
One of the items that has garnered attention and will be featured in the museum's initial exhibition focuses on Italian female garment workers, with a statue of a real-life seamstress placed next to the museum's entrance . The 95-year-old model was recently reunited.
Other exhibits focus on the Sicilian puppet theaters that once flourished in Little Italy, with the museum displaying 32 original puppets made by immigrants in the early 1900s.
“These are the only intact collections in all of the United States,” Marie Palladino, the museum's director of education, told The Post and museum visitors Monday. “This collection is coveted by Jim Henson and the Smithsonian Institution, and we are extremely proud to be the recipients.”
“All of these dolls are amazing,” Dan said, looking at the exhibit. “I can’t even imagine having to work with them – they’re £100 each!”
Meanwhile, the exhibit titled “5th Century'' focuses on the epic journey of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the famous explorer for whom the bridge is named.
“It's all about highlighting the contribution of Italians to American culture,” Celsa said.
Celebrities such as actor Chazz Palminteri and director Martin Scorsese have also supported Shelsa's museum efforts.
“I have been in discussions with Scorsese's company about using footage of his early works,” he said, noting that they will soon be incorporated into the museum.
Mr. Celsa, who said he does not make a penny from the museum, said his goal is to ensure that Italian culture is not “left behind in the museum world.”
“I don't think this is my legacy,” he said. “The reality is, anyone could have done this with the tenacity they dreamed of.”
The Italian American Museum is open on Columbus Day from noon to 6 p.m. From October 15th, business hours will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 17:00. Sundays and Wednesdays are by reservation only. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children 12 and under.
