America-Italy Society records

Collection

Identifier: IHRC152

Staff Only

Abstract

Records (1925-1959) of the America-Italy Society, a cultural organization, include minutes; correspondence; financial records; brochures; photographs; and corporate documents. Series include information regarding the Italy-America Society's dissolution and correspondence of founder Luigi Criscuolo. Also included is correspondence of Ellsworth Bunker; Thomas McKittrick; John Astor and Clare Booth Luce.

Dates

Creation: 1925-1959

Language of Materials

Italian and English

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.

OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS

This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.

For further information regarding the copyright, please contact the IHRCA.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Italy-America Society, a predecessor of the AIS, was established in 1918: “to create and maintain between the United States and Italy an international friendship based upon mutual understanding of their national ideals and aspiration and of the contributions of each to progress in science, art, and literature, and upon cooperative efforts to develop international trade.” Incorporated in 1935, the Italy-America Society sponsored such events as luncheons, receptions, and cultural occasions featuring prominent Italian government and business persons. Members included individuals, corporations, and organizations. With Italy’s entry in World War II, the Society’s board of directors voted to cease activity, “on account of the participation of Italy in the war and the existing state of international relations.” Read the February 10, 1941, resolution. The inactive organization was formally dissolved in 1948, despite the opposition of such former members as Luigi Criscuolo and the Italian government. The U.S. State Department strongly recommended that the old organization be reinstituted or a new organization with similar aims be established. A new organization, the AIS, was ultimately established in 1949 “to promote, by education, cultural, and lawful means, international friendship between the republic of Italy and the United States of America, based upon mutual understanding of their respective contributions to progress in science, art, music, literature, law, and government.” The organization is generally social in nature, sponsoring a variety of events that relate to Italian culture in some way. At this writing, the organization bases its operations from offices in New York City.