Italian American Museum of Washington DC

10/17/2026

What does the future hold for Italian America?

The Italian American Museum of Washington DC was delighted to welcome Commendatore John F. Calvelli, Chairman of the National Italian American Foundation, to deliver our fifth annual Italian Legacy Lecture, “The Future of Italian America.”

Before the lecture, Calvelli was given a tour of the museum.

In his introduction, IAMDC President Francesco Isgro’ welcomed Calvelli and also recognized former Board Chairman Ciro De Falco for conceiving the lecture series, now in its fifth year. Museum Vice Chair Mary Ann Re, then introduced Calvelli.

Reflecting on our community’s history while looking ahead with optimism, Calvelli offered a compelling message: “The future of Italian America will not be determined by how many people claim Italian ancestry on a census form. It will be determined by whether young people find meaning, opportunity, friendship, mentorship, and purpose within our institutions.”

A lively Q&A followed, with the conversation continuing throughout the reception.

Thank you to Commendatore John Calvelli and everyone who joined us for a thoughtful conversation about the Italian American legacy—and our shared responsibility to carry it forward.

The Fifth Annual Legacy Lecture was sponsored by Francesco Isgro and Liz DiGregorio.

10/15/2026

For Italian American Heritage and Culture Month, we are sharing the entire October issue of Voce Italiana for free! Read the October issue here:

https://efe49173-a2bb-44fd-9308-a020b610dd44.usrfiles.com/ugd/efe491_75b791549ff24f5fa3cbed1dafaf0d80.pdf

In this October issue, we celebrate Italian American Heritage and Culture Month with stories highlighting the people, history, traditions, and contributions of Italian Americans in Washington, DC and across the country.

We feature the upcoming commemoration of the 125th anniversary of St. John Baptist Scalabrini’s historic 1901 visit to the United States and Washington, DC; the 100th anniversary of A. Litteri and its place in the history of Washington’s Italian American community; the America250 perspective of six University of Bologna students on the United States; the unveiling of Emperor Trajan at the Embassy of Italy; Italian fashion and its connection to American culture; Italian w**e and w**emaking traditions; the Columbus Day celebrations in Washington; and much more.

This issue also remembers with sadness the passing of Joseph Sciorra, an important scholar, folklorist, and cultural historian whose work greatly contributed to our understanding and appreciation of Italian American culture and traditions. He will be deeply missed.

Thank you to all our advertisers, sponsors, patrons, and subscribers for supporting Voce Italiana!

Voce Italiana subscription rates for 2026:
– Subscriber: $30
– Patron: $50
– Sponsor: $100

We hope you enjoy this issue and consider supporting Voce Italiana by subscribing at one of these levels.

10/13/2026

Last week, the IAMDC welcomed a fantastic group from Dupont Circle Village, led by Beth Merricks. Dupont Circle Village connects members through cultural and social activities, educational opportunities, services, and support. We were thrilled to be part of their fall programming!

Our IAMDC Board Vice President, Mary Ann Re, and Program Manager, Claudia Bonaccorsi, warmly welcomed the group and led a tour of our exhibitions. We enjoyed the opportunity to share the many contributions of Italian and Italian Americans to Washington, DC.

10/13/2026

The Italian American Museum of Washington DC was pleased to participate in the 2026 Columbus Day ceremony at the Columbus Memorial across from Union Station. The observance was sponsored by the National Christopher Columbus Association.
Speakers included Italian Ambassador Marco Peronaci; Guillermo Corral van Damme, deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Spain; Kevin Lilly, assistant secretary of the interior for fish and wildlife and parks; and Anita Bevacqua McBride, vice president of the National Italian American Foundation.
Following the reading of the presidential proclamation, James Iacona of Yardley, Pennsylvania, winner of NIAF’s National Youth Columbus Essay Contest, shared his winning essay.
The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Color Corps presented the colors, and Washington Auxiliary Bishop Gary R. Studniewski offered the invocation, calling on us to build bridges across cultures and within our own communities.
Representing the IAMDC, President Francesco Isgrò and Vice Chair Mary Ann Re joined 18 other diplomatic, civic and cultural organizations in presenting memorial wreaths.
It was a meaningful opportunity to honor Italian American heritage and reflect on the values of service, mutual respect and friendship.

10/12/2026

Today our community celebrated Columbus Day and Italian American Heritage and Culture Month with Mass at Holy Rosary Church celebrated by Father Maurizio Maifredi, followed by a civic ceremony at Casa Italiana.
Thank you to our speakers: First Counselor Alberto Comito of the Embassy of Italy; Michael Montanti, president of the Lido Civic Club; Joseph O. Njoku, state treasurer of the DC Knights of Columbus; Chris Pierno, vice president of the National Christopher Columbus Association; and Maria Marigliano for singing the national anthems of Italy and the United States. IAMDC president Francesco Isgro served as master of ceremonies. In his concluding remarks, president Isgro noted in particular that "pride in our heritage should bring us together. It should never become a reason to question one another's loyalty, diminish another community or turn neighbors into political adversaries."
Special thanks to the DC Knights of Columbus, whose presence in ceremonial regalia added dignity and meaning to the occasion.
Sponsored by the Lido Civic Club, the Italian American Museum of Washington DC and Holy Rosary Church, the celebration brought our community together in a spirit of faith, heritage and fellowship. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible!

Concluding remarks by president Isgro. https://youtu.be/XzRmprdpTi8

10/09/2026

From the Voce Italiana archives: Earlier this year, we reported on the Columbus statue installed on the White House grounds. We’re sharing that article again today. Today the White House unveiled another statue of Christopher Columbus.

10/08/2026

You are invited to join our community as we celebrate Columbus Day and Italian American Heritage and Culture Month with Mass at Holy Rosary Church, followed by a civic ceremony at the Scalabrini Center’s Piazza Italiana.

10/07/2026

Celebrating Italian American Heritage and Culture Month with the National Organization of Italian American Women.

10/05/2026

Happy Saint Francis Day! Today, October 4, Italy honored St. Francis of Assisi, its patron saint, as it commemorated the 800th anniversary of his death. President Sergio Mattarella joined the celebrations in Assisi, where Cardinal Matteo Zuppi presided at Mass, alongside civic leaders, diplomats, and pilgrims. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV recalled St. Francis’s lasting example of faith and fraternal love, calling for peace and harmony among peoples. Eight centuries later, his message of humility, compassion, and care for creation continues to speak to a world deeply in need of hope.

canto Francescano rivisitato da Adalgisa, Noèmi Pellegrino e Giulia...