Our goal is to bring together those of the Italian Heritage living in Birmingham area
For information and tickets for FESTA ITALIANA: www.festaitalianabham.com ITALIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE SOCIETY OF BIRMINGHAM
The I A H S of Birmingham, Alabama was founded on May 10, 2009 by a gathering of Italians in the area who wanted to preserve their Italian culture and share it with others in the community. Membership of the I A H S is comprised of those persons of Italian descent and their non- Italian spouses who share in the common interest of their Italian Heritage. The organization has a Board of Directors who coordinates and effects business activities in order to ensure that its mission “to encourage, promote, and preserve Italian culture and heritage” remains the focal point of the Society. Joseph with the traditional St. Joseph Altar, and the Society sponsors a Columbus Day celebration. There are many fund raising events from which charitable contributions are made to non-profit organizations and those in need. The I A H S hosts numerous dances and parties (Halloween Masquerade and New Year’s Eve) along with wine and cheese tastings and a Christmas Party with family. The Society also promotes the Italian Heritage in young people by sponsoring an annual scholarship essay contest for recently accepted or enrolled college students. The students are asked to explain “What My Italian Heritage Means to Me.”
When people think of Birmingham, Alabama, “The Pittsburg of the South “often comes to mind. This connection to iron and steel making in the early part of the twentieth century led Birmingham to celebrate its economic status by building and showcasing the largest cast iron statue in the world. The statue of Vulcan stood fifty-six feet tall and was presented as an exhibit at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair. The Italian community is strongly connected to the Vulcan statue as it was cast by Italian sculptor Giuseppi Morretti . After winning the best of show in its class at the 1904 Fair, the statue returned to Birmingham to eventually stand atop Red Mountain. It rests on a 124 foot tall stone pedestal built by immigrants who were talented and skilled Italian stone masons. The statue can now be seen from throughout the valley below. With the historical connection of the Italian community in Birmingham to the Vulcan Statue, the I A H S was fortunate to play a major role in the City of Birmingham’s Vulcan Park and Museum hosting of an exhibit about Italians. This exhibit paid tribute to the Italian community who immigrated from their homeland to Birmingham, seeking a better life. This saga, known as “La Storia”, was told in photos, artifacts, and memorabilia displayed at the Vulcan Park and Museum from September of 2014 to its closing in September of 2015. To learn more about “La Storia” visit the www.iahsbham.com website. President - Louis Noto
V. President - Jeanette Campisi
Secretary - Rita Maples
Treasurer - Louis Carruba
Board Members:
Jeanette Alexander
Marie Swift
JoAnn Graffeo
Butch Tudisco
For more information - please Facebook message to: Butch Tudisco , Membership chairman
