Italians Helped Shape the Nation

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Italians came to the United States, but they were not the first Italian immigrants to America. Historian Tom Frascella will speak about the earliest Italian cohorts who came to the U.S., highlighting those who helped establish the early success of the Jamestown colony in the 1600s and contributions in the 1700s from figures such as Filippo Mazzei, who inspired language for the Declaration of Independence. Participants are encouraged to bring refreshments to share at a post-program reception. Doors open at 4:45 p.m.