Join Us
We are committed to record and preserve the contributions of our Italian Heritage and culture to our society through our newsletter, cultural programs, activities, exhibits, and outreach programs.
Our Cultural Center
offers Italian langauge classes. Our goal will be to speak the language
smoothly with the correct use of phraseology and
idiomatic expressions.
Our Annual Italian Bake Sale click here for Order form
Join Us
The American Italian Heritage Association publishes a very interesting and informative 20 page bi-monthly Newsletter in English. It contains information about Italian Americans, Italy, history, customs, traditions, recipes, events and other information of interest to Italian-Americans. Membership is open to everyone and Annual Dues are only $25 : Free admission to the museum for all AIHA members
Become a member now
Our memberships provide wonderful benefits and supports our goal to preserve our Italian Culture and Heritage.
Ways to support
AIHM
The AIHA Campus is Home of the Americant Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. On the first floor our Museum (3900 sq ft) honors and tells the Italian Immigrant Story and their contributions. We will also display the contributions of Italian Americans. The second floor (1900 sq ft)contains the Cultural Center with a library, hall, Chapel and class rooms for all types of classes: language, cultural, genealogy, cooking etc. for all age groups and open to the public.
Directions
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Second Chance Thrift Shop -Albany NY
The Second Chance Thrift Shop is a very popular location for those who love to shop for a bargain. The thrift shop has become a great fund raising venue for our organization. We are located on our AIHA Campus Grounds
1229 Central Ave Albany NY 12205
First Floor
Opened
Tuesday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Saturday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
A great selection at great prices! -
AIHA Cultural Center
Our new Italian Cultural Center is located at the second floor of our museum. 1,800 sq. ft. of space includes a hall, library,class room,memorial room,reception & meeting space, Hall of Art, kitchenette and bathroom facilities.
Richard Putorti and his team catalogued 1,620 books in the main library of our Cultural Center. All reference books, protected books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and other resources can be found in the back room of the library. -
Our History
Our History The American Italian Heritage Association 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. 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) since 1985. It was closed late in 1998 so that plans for the new national museum in Albany, NY could begin. We are a 501 (C) organization and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by the law The American Italian Heritage Museum Provisional Charter" was granted July 19, 2010 by the Board of Regents of The University of the State Of New York, for and on behalf of the State Education Department, and executed under the seal of said University and recorded as Number 25,129" AN ABSOLUTE CHARTER FROM the University of the State of New York, Education Department was granted October 2016
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Museum Hours
January 1st to March 31st
Friday 11am-2pm. & Saturday. from 1pm to 4 pm
April/May
Mon., Thur. & Fri. 11 am to 2 pm. Sat. & Sun. from 1pm to 4 pm
June
Monday, Thursday & Friday 11:-2:00 Saturday & Sunday 1pm to 4:00
July & August
Monday, Thursday & Friday 11:-2:00 Saturday 1pm to 4:00
September 1st to December 31st.
Mon. Thur. and Friday 11 am to 2 pm . Saturday and Sunday from 1pn to 4 pm.
Special Events
Celebrating Italian ArtistsSchenectady Art Society members have created art in the style of their favorite Italian Artist
April - May Exhibit
A Journey to Rome & VeniceMembers, Lucia Sirco and Steve Kopecky take you on a photo journey to Rome and Venice.
Photos of quaint nieghboorhoods, breathtaking architecture and fascinationg people are on display in this special exhibit
In the news
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What's New
Read moreMUSEUM AND ITALIAN CULTURAL NEWS composed by Sarah Cifarelli Wellen
Richard Putorti and his team catalogued 1,620 books in the main library of our Cultural Center. All reference books, protected books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and other resources can be found in the back room of the library. After three years of hard work, our library is now part of the 21st Century. Thank you, Richard,! …
Karen Hemson donated a copy of her new non-fiction book, “Bean Pickers, American Immigrant Portraits” to our museum. Some of her research was done at our museum, and Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo provided a testimonial for the book….
The Professor recently gave a presentation to the Creative Retirement Group meeting at Hudson Valley Community College. …
The free Audio Tour of our museum has been installed and can be used on smartphones….
Gene and Linda Loparco represented our museum at the recent Multicultural Festival held at Colonie Central High School. -
Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo - President/Director
In 1979 I called together other college professors and we discussed that at that time we heard people starting to realize we had a wonderful cultural heritage. These professors agreed with me that we should start an organization to record and preserve our Italian heritage. I met them in the Syracuse University Law School and then, from there, we continued to meet, and build and grow, and then we founded the American Italian Museum. This museum is different from the museums in Italy, because its purpose is to honor the Italian immigrants and made possible for other Italians to have the kind of life that we have in America thanks to their sacrifice.
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Donor Recognition Tree of Life
Read moreYour tax deductible donation to the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center will help promote record and preserve our Italian Heritage.
Our stunning Donor Recognition Tree, prominently displayed in the main lobby of the museum, was painted by Rosemary Prock. It depicts the journey of Italian immigrants coming to America. The leaves, made of brass, nickel, and bronze, designate those who have so generously given to our Donor Tree Campaign. The tree also features photo memorial plaques installed on either side of the trunk. We welcome you to become a donor.
Bronze $275 | Gold $350 | Platinum $500 | Photo Plaque $2500 | -
AIHA Events
Read moreOur 39th Annual St. Joseph Celebration will take place on Tuesday, March 19th. The business meeting will start at 7:00pm, followed by the St. Joseph presentation with slides by Prof/Cay. Philip J. DiNovo and a short interesting film. You are invited to bring bread, fruit, candles and dessert on Monday, March 1 8to decorate our traditional St. Joseph Table. This year we will serve delicious Sicilian style Zeppole (with ricotta) from. Bella Napoli Bakery. The cost is $5 for a Zeppole, coffee, etc To make a reservation, please send your check by March 15th. Wear, the color red and as part of this great tradition. You are welcome to come without a reservation but Zeppole will be served to those who have made a reservation. Please bring canned goods for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry. Feeding the needy is an important part of the St. .Joesph Celebration.
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Join our staff of volunteers!
Read moreOur entire organization is staffed by volunteers just llike you. Call us now to see how your can be apart of our team. 518.435.1979
What our visitors saying about their experience
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I have really enjoyed the hard working warm, loving, welcoming & helpful members, cooking classes, introduction to speaking Italian, newsletters filled with great information and Italian recipes, bake sales, Easter palm crosses class, December Business Meeting & the singing of the traditional Italian Christmas carols, and Museum Exhibits. It is a wonderful organization!
Mary Donnelly Cutler
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What a pleasant surprise! Our afternoon plans before our flight home to NC got cancelled, so we looked on Trip Advisor. I was instantly interested in seeing this place, being 1/4 Italian. The founder talked to us for several minutes, giving us information about the museum. We only had time to go quickly through the first floor. We were so impressed, we joined the association before we left. Next time we are in the area, we will return. There are many rooms, each with a theme, telling the story of the immigrants. There are photos, old items of every kind, and personal stories. You won't regret it!
Ann Leitgeb Green -
I went here today with my mom and sister. There is so much here to learn about Italians and their land. I suggest everyone should go. The house is unique how they made it over. Wonderful . I will be going back to see the rest. Favorite thing was the pews from St Anthony church. As my mom sat to rest on it I was thinking her and my Dad were married there in 1948 in a huge extravagant. I was baptized in that church too.
Paula Cotazino Begley