Italian Heritage Guide: Local Cultural Centers and Museums

Italian Community Center Charitable Foundation of Troy (ICC):

The ICC is a non-profit devoted to charitable giving and community service.  The ICC's mission is to strengthen the community through charitable work and endowments, unbiased to religious or ethnic affiliation. Volunteer members of all backgrounds pride themselves on the patriotism and commitment to the community. Their facility is used to host weekly soup kitchens, provide space for The ARC (Whose mission is promoting and protecting the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities), providing services to Troy's Van Rensselaer Manor (a skilled nursing & rehabilitation facility) through We Care Day at the manor, children's clothing drives, and annual Santa toy distribution, along with other charitable events. Every year, the ICC hosts a charitable spaghetti dinner on the Eve of Election Night, proceeds of which benefit various charities and scholarship opportunities. 

Established in 1935, the Italian Community Center Charitable Foundation of Troy, New York, Inc. (ICC) was initiated for the purpose of strengthening the community through charitable donations. Unbiased to religious or ethnic affiliation, members of all backgrounds pride themselves on their patriotism and commitment to the community. Eighty-five years later, the ICC continues to strive to meet community needs by nurturing and granting charitable donations to youth, seniors, individuals with special needs and the community as a whole. A member base of 150 volunteers work to contribute to the community in meaningful ways and to deliver successful programs. The ICC has been a pillar in the community for many decades and has a history of excellence in the form of charitable donations. We are unbiased to any religious or ethnic culture. While we are an Italian Cultural Center, we realize how important it is to stress patriotism throughout our community. Over the years some of the ICC's endowment's and work projects have involved the following:

 

Churches, Colleges, Schools and Library Programs

                Hudson Valley Community College                                                                   LaSalle Institute

                R.P.I.                                                                                                                  Troy High School

                Catholic Central High School                                                                             Unity Sunshine School

                Troy Public Library                                                                                             North Greenbush Public Library

                St. Anthony's Church                                                                                         St. Joseph's Church

 

Service and Health Programs

                                St. Mary's Hospital                                                              C.R.A.B. Veterans Post

                                A.O.H.                                                                                 Kiwanis

                                Knights of Columbus                                                           American Cancer Society

                                Rensselaer County T.B. Association                                   American Legion

                                Bloodmobile                                                                        Italian Earthquake Relief Fund

                                Salvation Army                                                                    911 Family Relief Fund

                                Association of the Blind                                                      Tropical Storm Irene Shelter

                                Red Cross Shelter

 

Children's Programs

                                Spring Little League                                                            Lansingburg Baseball

                                South Troy Baseball                                                            Pop Warner Football

                                Troy Youth Hockey                                                              Special Olympics

                                Troy Boys Club                                                                    Troy C.Y.O.

                                Lansingburgh Boys Club                                                     Volunteer Drum & Bugle Corps

                                Trip for Children Fund                                                         Troy Spelling Contest

                                Police Benevolent Association                                           Vanderheyden Hall

                                St. Mary's Summer Program                                              Make-A-Wish Foundation

                                13 Year Old AAU Raptors Fundraiser Breakfast for National Competition

 

Teen Rehabilitation Program                                                           Primary On-Going Programs

Unity House                                                                                         We Care Day/Van Rensselaer Manor

Waitt House                                                                                         ARC and Wildwood Recreation Programs

Sister Mary Closky Fund                                                                     Weekly Senior Bocce

Teenage Alcohol Program                                                                   Weekly Soup Kitchen

 

In addition to charitable work, the ICC provides a community space for members and non-members to enjoy each other's company, rents its space for weddings and other private parties, hosts bocce leagues on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights, Bingo every Tuesday night, and hosts American Italian Legislators annually. 

To learn more about the ICC, the public are welcome to stop by in person at 1450 5th Avenue Troy, NY 12180, call 518-274-0508

Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianCommunityCenterCharitableFoundationOfTroyNy/

 

West Albany Italian Benevolent Society (WAIBS):

WAIBS is a society dedicated to Italian heritage, the United States, and the well being of their community and neighbors. It has always been their desire to extend a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. The society has been in existence since 1909, providing an open door and heart to the community.  In addition to local charitable giving, the WAIBS provides annual scholarships to local youth.

As an Italian social club and banquet facility, space at the WAIBS may be rented for special occasions, and the WAIBS hosts various events throughout the year.  Equipped with outdoor bocce ball courts, the WAIBS hosts Friday night pizza each summer where visitors can enjoy a bocce game and delicious homemade Italian food. 

To learn more about the WAIBS, the public are welcome to stop by in person at 50 Exchange St Albany, NY 12205, or call 518-482-4731.

Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/ItalianCommunityCenterCharitableFoundationOfTroyNy/

Website: waibs.com

 

Italian American Community Center of Albany (IACC):

The IACC is a membership organization founded in 1971 by a group of local Italian-Americans with the intent of preserving their customs and traditions as well as establishing a social center to gather for relaxation and enjoyment with other like-minded people. In 2009, The Italian American Community Center established a non-profit 501c3 foundation with a mission to advance, celebrate and preserve the Italian culture and heritage while helping families rediscover the great strength to be found in these traditions. 

The family oriented organization is committed to providing a place where people can come eat, drink, socialize and celebrate the Italian heritage whether you are Italian or not.  The IACC has an outdoor swimming pool, bocce courts, and a pavilion along with many other spaces for rent to enjoy special occasions.

To learn more about the IACC, the public are welcome to stop by in person at 257 Washington Avenue Ext. Albany, New York 12205 or call 518-482-4731.

Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/@TheIACC/

Website: https://www.italianamerican.com/

 

American Italian Heritage Association and Museum:

The American Italian Heritage Association and Museum's mission is to honor the Italian immigrants who came to the United States of America, to record and preserve the contributions of Italian heritage and culture to the community via newsletters, events, cultural programs, activities, exhibits, and outreach programs. The museum also publishes a 20-page bi-monthly newsletter.

 

The museum hosts a wide variety of events, including:

Practice Your Italian: A chance for all interested in speaking Italian to practice with persons who are fluent.

Cultural Presentations: Each month, a new cultural presentation is offered

Pizza and Movie Nights: A chance to socialize, eat, and enjoy a movie!

Coffee and Conversations: Visit the museum, enjoy some conversations and Italian coffee!

 

Current Exhibit:

The Contribution of Italian Americans and the 500th Anniversary of Verazzano's discovery of New York Harbor and North and South Carolina.

 

Upcoming Events at the American Italian Heritage Association and Museum:

 

Monday, November 8th: Veterans Day Celebration

Wednesday, November 13th at 1:00pm: Annual St. Cabrini Celebration

Thursday, November 18th at 1:00pm: Coffee & Conversation

Tuesday, November 19th at 1:00pm : Practice Your Italian

Thursday, November 21st at 7:00pm: Monthly Meeting & Cultural Presentation

Friday, November 22nd at 6:30pm: Pizza and Movie Night

 

Tuesday, December 3, at 1pm: Practice Your Italian

December 6, 7, 8: Annual Italian Christmas Market

(Friday & Saturday 10am-4pm; Sunday 11am-3pm)

Saturday, December 14, at 7pm: “Christ is Born” Christmas Concert

Tuesday, December 17, at 1pm: Practice Your Italian

Wednesday, December 18, at 1pm: Blue Christmas Sharing

Thursday, December 19, at 7pm: Monthly Meeting, Program & Christmas Party

 

Tuesday, January 7, at 1pm: Practice Your Italian

Friday, January 17, at 1pm: Coffee and Conversation

Tuesday, January 21, at 1pm: Practice Your Italian

Friday, January 24, at 6:30pm: Pizza & Movie Night

 

To learn more about the American Italian Heritage Association and Museum, the public are welcome to stop by in person at 1227 Central Ave, Albany, NY 12205, call (518) 435-1979, or visit the website.    

Website: https://www.americanitalianmuseum.org/

 

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Italian American Museum in New York City's Little Italy Neighborhood

The new Italian American Museum (IAM) will serve as a cultural hub and community nexus for Italian Americans and the Little Italy neighborhood. Through permanent and temporary exhibits, robust educational and cultural programming, and collaborations with the community, the IAM will become the preeminent center for learning about and engaging with Italian as a platform for sharing Italian American voices and celebrating Italian American achievements, the IAM will be interesting to both Italian Americans and non-Italian Americans, bringing Italian American culture and heritage to younger generations and a wide range of new audiences.

The Italian American Museum preserves, promotes, and celebrates the culture and history of Italian Americans, serving as living record of their contributions to America and a bridge between the remarkable past and the evolving future of the community.

By allowing Italian Americans to share their story in their voice, the Italian American Museum will encourage a full appreciation of what it means to be Italian American.

Address:

151 Mulberry Street
New York City

Museum Hours:
Thursday - Saturday
12:00 - 5:00 pm

Website: https://www.italianamericanmuseum.org/