Our Association was founded in 1979, and we have become an
international organization with members in 41 States and
several countries !
Our goals are to record and preserve our Italian heritage
and culture. Our museum has ten rooms of exhibits, a Hall of
History and a gift shop. We operate the largest Italian
American museum in the east. Our second floor is the home of
our Italian Cultural Center which includes a library, class
room, meeting space, memorial room, art gallery and a hall.
We offer many classes and events at the Cultural Center that
help us to record and preserve our Italian heritage.
The AIHA operated the Italian Cultural Center & Museum
located at 668 Catherine Street, Utica, New York (Utica's
"Little Italy" - east side of the city) 1985. It was closed
late in 1998 so that plans for the new national museum in
Albany, NY could begin.
In 1979, Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo gave birth to the idea
of a Italian American Cultural Organization. He invited
eight Italian American professors to a meeting at the Law
School , Syracuse University, Syracuse , NY . Those
attending agree to organize the American Italian Heritage
Association to record and preserve our Italian heritage. The
Association has an outstanding record: publishing five
books, for 16 years held two conferences a year in different
parts of the state, has set up exhibits, sponsored many
cultural programs, worked with schools and colleges,
published various publications, sponsored two Italian folk
dance groups, a Italian choir, has had outreach events with
other ethnic groups, marched in parades, set up booths at
various fiestas', offered many classes for children and
adults, set up a speakers bureau, held Italian food
festivals & events. These and many other events have helped
to keep alive our Italian heritage and culture.
Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo has been knighted by the Italian
government for his years of service in the Italian American
community. He is on the national Italian American Folk Art
Federation Board and writes articles for Italian American
publications across the nation. He has invited many
outstanding volunteers to join in this important cause and
the record is due to their great talent, sacrifice and
commitment.
Mission Statement of the American Italian
Heritage Association:
Our mission is to record and preserve our Italian heritage
for present and future generations. Our museum, the largest
Italian American Museum in the East, honors the Italian
immigrants, tells their stories, and recognizes the
contributions to Italian Americans. Through its many events,
classes, and programs, it keeps alive our rich Italian
Culture. You can help by providing financial and moral
support, or by volunteering.
