Museum of the Old First Ward

02/13/2026

https://jerseygirlitalianroots.com/nutley-belleville-columbus-day-parade-2026-heritage-award/
Last year I was humbled when the Nutley-Belleville Committee selected me as the 2025 recipient. I could never put into words what this meant to me, however, I felt there were others that deserved it much more than me. Well, one of those individuals I highly respect has been selected as the 2026 Heritage Award recipient.

Learn about the recipient of the 2026 Italian Heritage Award from the Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade Committee.

02/06/2026

A special congrats to Curator of the Museum of the Old First Ward, Bob Cascella, the 2026 recipient of the Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade Heritage Award! Truly well deserved! Brava!

01/14/2026

Upcoming book: Mid-Century Migration The: Italians of North Jersey
Good evening everyone! Andrea Lyn Cammarato-Van Benschoten is now on writing her second next book, focusing on Italian migration to Northern New Jersey from WWII to present day. Please contact her if you have family stories or photos to share! She would love to hear about experiences related to:
• Immigrated to one of the following counties: Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, Sussex, Union, Morris, Warren, Somerset, or Hunterdon.
• Membership in an Italian church, society, social club, community, or community organization
• Helped manage/volunteer/regularly participated in an Italian feast
• Started a business
• Has an interesting story or tradition to share
• Has interesting photo(s) to share
• Experienced discrimination due to their ethnicity
If anyone is interested in being interviewed, please PM or email her at [email protected]. Thank you very much!

10/03/2025

Our beloved curator, Bob Cascella. Make sure to visit the museum during the upcoming Feast of St. Gerard at St. Lucy's Church The National Shrine of Saint Gerard!

08/15/2025

Official schedule for the 2025 Feast of St. Gerard!

08/05/2025

07/31/2025

Calling all food vendors and merchants! Be a part of the 126th Feast of St. Gerard and sell your delicious eats and specialty items to the thousands of attendees at this beloved annual event. Contact John for additional information 973-227-5935 or Email: [email protected]

05/18/2025

https://thisismynewjersey.wordpress.com/2025/05/18/remembering-sharpe-james/
This week lost a true character. Some considered famous, while others considered him infamous, and your opinion will depend on your age and your neighborhood. The 37th mayor of , passed away at the age of 89.

This week New Jersey lost a true character. Some considered famous, while others considered him infamous, and your opinion will depend on your age and your neighborhood. The 37th mayor of Newark, S…

11/19/2024

n Sunday, December 1st at 2:00 p.m., a celebration will be held to dedicate and unveil a statue in Monsignor Granato’s honor.

Frs. Ruggiero and Granato made a commitment to the St. Lucy's community after the decimation of the Old First Ward; "if you stay, we'll stay."

11/18/2024

Why is the Old First Ward so special you might ask?

,Newark ~~~ Seventh Avenue, Newark ~~~Title: What is Seventh Avenue, Newark?, Explain Seventh Avenue, Newark, Define Seventh Avenu...

11/18/2024

The Museum of the Old First Ward on Sessa's Corner.

Sessa’s Corner Episode 14Let’s celebrate Italian Heritage month & take us back to our roots with a spotlight on & guided tour of the Museum of the Old First ...

11/18/2024

All about Italian Heritage - Museum of the Old First Ward, St. Lucy's Church, Newark, NJ with Bob Cascella

The Museum of the Old First Ward, located at St. Lucy's Church, features many aspects of immigrant life in Newark in the early 1900's, with Robert Cascella, ...