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 remaining were Bove's Restaurant and Merola's Store, both on Pearl Street. Gone were 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 in the future this once vibrant community would be remembered. Sadly, Ken passed away in 2009 and we all miss this vital man dearly and his contributions to Burlington's Italian heritage.
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, we celebrated a day of remembrance for "Little Italy Burlington" with photos, films, presentations, homemade Italian food, live music and more!
A follow-up event commemorating this neighborhood was held on October 6, 2012 at Burlington City Hall and Park. At this event, VIC unveiled four interpretive signs for placement at the approximate boundaries of the 'old neighborhood.' These signs described features and local landmarks of "Little Italy" and enabled smartphone access to a computer rendering of the many buildings in the area.
After negotiations with the city, three signs were installed November, 2013 at the boundaries of the old neighborhood. On November 9, 2013, these signs were dedicated with a celebration at the Cathedral, followed by a walking tour to view the signs.
Both the Burlington Free Press and Seven Days featured articles describing these events:
Seven Days, November 2013: Lost and Found: Signs Reclaim Burlington's Historic Little Italy Neighborhood
Burlington Free Press - November 11, 2013: Remembering Burlington's Little Italy
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 remaining were Bove's Restaurant and Merola's Store, both on Pearl Street. Gone were 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 in the future this once vibrant community would be remembered. Sadly, Ken passed away in 2009 and we all miss this vital man dearly and his contributions to Burlington's Italian heritage.
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, we celebrated a day of remembrance for "Little Italy Burlington" with photos, films, presentations, homemade Italian food, live music and more!
A follow-up event commemorating this neighborhood was held on October 6, 2012 at Burlington City Hall and Park. At this event, VIC unveiled four interpretive signs for placement at the approximate boundaries of the 'old neighborhood.' These signs described features and local landmarks of "Little Italy" and enabled smartphone access to a computer rendering of the many buildings in the area.
After negotiations with the city, three signs were installed November, 2013 at the boundaries of the old neighborhood. On November 9, 2013, these signs were dedicated with a celebration at the Cathedral, followed by a walking tour to view the signs.
Both the Burlington Free Press and Seven Days featured articles describing these events:
Seven Days, November 2013: Lost and Found: Signs Reclaim Burlington's Historic Little Italy Neighborhood
Burlington Free Press - November 11, 2013: Remembering Burlington's Little Italy
Click on the links below to learn more about celebrating Little Italy in 2011, 2012 and 2013.