2012 Little Italy - Burlington, VT
It was back 1983 when a group of Italian American transplants to Vermont from the Little Italy of Philadelphia, New York or Massachusetts, found themselves missing the culture and "paesani" of their old neighborhoods. After a one night meeting at the Church Street Center, a group spearheaded by Dr. Ken Ciongoli (Kenny from American Bandstand) formed the Vermont Italian Cultural Association.
Unbeknownst to the group, Burlington had its own Little Italy but that community was leveled during the heyday of urban renewal in the 1960s. The only traces which remained were Bove's Restaurant and Merola's Store, both on Pearl Street. Gone were the more than 140 homes, businesses, gardens, community centers, a cathedral, and schools.
It had long been a wish of Dr. Ciongoli to have this bygone neighborhood designated publicly so that now and into the future this once vibrant community would be remembered. Sadly, Ken passed away in 2009 and we all miss this vital man dearly.
To fulfill his dream, the newly renamed Vermont Italian Club dedicated an official Vermont historic marker at the foot of College Street on the Battery Park Extension on October 8, 2011. In addition, there was a day of celebration and remembrance of "Little Italy Burlington" with photos and films, presentations, homemade Italian food, live music and more!
As part of VIC’s mission to educate and inform the community of Little Italy’s history, the 2012 event focused on the unveiling of 4 interpretive signs and the smart phone GPS based 3D animated tour back in history. Where today sits
a parking lot or a hotel, your smart phone will show you the houses once occupying that space. In addition to home made Italian food, we offered various Italian dishes provided by area Italian restaurants such as meatballs from Bove’s.
Piccola Italia 1886 to 1968
Unbeknownst to the group, Burlington had its own Little Italy but that community was leveled during the heyday of urban renewal in the 1960s. The only traces which remained were Bove's Restaurant and Merola's Store, both on Pearl Street. Gone were the more than 140 homes, businesses, gardens, community centers, a cathedral, and schools.
It had long been a wish of Dr. Ciongoli to have this bygone neighborhood designated publicly so that now and into the future this once vibrant community would be remembered. Sadly, Ken passed away in 2009 and we all miss this vital man dearly.
To fulfill his dream, the newly renamed Vermont Italian Club dedicated an official Vermont historic marker at the foot of College Street on the Battery Park Extension on October 8, 2011. In addition, there was a day of celebration and remembrance of "Little Italy Burlington" with photos and films, presentations, homemade Italian food, live music and more!
As part of VIC’s mission to educate and inform the community of Little Italy’s history, the 2012 event focused on the unveiling of 4 interpretive signs and the smart phone GPS based 3D animated tour back in history. Where today sits
a parking lot or a hotel, your smart phone will show you the houses once occupying that space. In addition to home made Italian food, we offered various Italian dishes provided by area Italian restaurants such as meatballs from Bove’s.
Piccola Italia 1886 to 1968
2012 Little Italy Poster and Postcard:
2012 Schedule of Events:
CCTV Video with VIC members discussing Little Italy and the October 6, Interpretive Signs Dedication Event:
A ROMAN LEGION ARRIVES IN THE GREEN MOUNTAINS
On Saturday, October 6 from 2 to 3 pm, a small recruitment detachment from LEGIO III CYRENAICA was in
Burlington’s City Hall Park at the invitation of the Vermont Italian Club.
LEGIO III CYRENAICA is a Living History group noted for its historical interpretation of a Roman Legion of approximately the 40-70 AD time period
LEGIO III CYRENAICA members have appeared at:
* Parades in NYC and throughout New England
* Roman Days in Maryland
* Treasures of Pompeii Exhibit, Museum of Art ,Mobile, Alabama
* Archeological Institute of America, Philadelphia, PA
* Treasures of Pompeii Exhibit, Museum of Science, Boston, MA
* LEGIO III does frequent presentations at the Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, MA.
* Living History events throughout New England and the Mid Atlantic States
* LEGIO III has also appeared in various historical documentaries
Members wear period armor and dress and are always happy to talk with potential“recruits’ or the just plain curious. Feel free to bring your camera!
If you would like more information about LEGIO III, please feel free to visit us @ legio III Cyrenaica/facebook
Or contact : Adele Dienno adienno@sover.net or 802-324-4141
On Saturday, October 6 from 2 to 3 pm, a small recruitment detachment from LEGIO III CYRENAICA was in
Burlington’s City Hall Park at the invitation of the Vermont Italian Club.
LEGIO III CYRENAICA is a Living History group noted for its historical interpretation of a Roman Legion of approximately the 40-70 AD time period
LEGIO III CYRENAICA members have appeared at:
* Parades in NYC and throughout New England
* Roman Days in Maryland
* Treasures of Pompeii Exhibit, Museum of Art ,Mobile, Alabama
* Archeological Institute of America, Philadelphia, PA
* Treasures of Pompeii Exhibit, Museum of Science, Boston, MA
* LEGIO III does frequent presentations at the Higgins Armory Museum, Worcester, MA.
* Living History events throughout New England and the Mid Atlantic States
* LEGIO III has also appeared in various historical documentaries
Members wear period armor and dress and are always happy to talk with potential“recruits’ or the just plain curious. Feel free to bring your camera!
If you would like more information about LEGIO III, please feel free to visit us @ legio III Cyrenaica/facebook
Or contact : Adele Dienno adienno@sover.net or 802-324-4141
