Italian American Museum Of Cleveland Celebrates Grand Opening

CLEVELAND, OH — The Italian American Museum of Cleveland celebrated its grand opening Friday, a day that coincides with the start of Italian American Heritage Month.

The museum aims to promote and cultivate 150 years of Italian history and culture throughout Cleveland and the region. The museum was founded by Hon. Basil M. Russo and is sponsored by the Italian Sons and Daughters of America.

Russo, Councilman Blaine A. Griffin, and IAMCLE Board President Hon. Deborah J. Nicastro offered remarks during the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The opening exhibit, “Faith, Family, Ambition: The Italian Americans of Northeast Ohio” explores Italian immigration to Northeast Ohio and highlights the many positive contributions Italian Americans have made to the region, including the construction of the Guardians of Traffic, which were sculpted in Little Italy and carved, in large part, by Italian immigrants.

IAMCLE will offer a variety of programs to engage the community, including walking tours of Little Italy and Lakeview Cemetery and guest speakers that will explore different facets of the region’s Italian American history.

The museum is a partner of Cleveland’s Western Reserve Historical Society. Many of the photographs, documents and artifacts on display are on loan from the WRHS Italian American Collection, which was established in 2006.

The museum is located at 12111 Mayfield Rd. in Cleveland.