Professor Philip J. DiNovo is the Founder and
President of the esteemed American Italian Heritage
Association and the American Italian Heritage Museum
in Albany, New York. He has also been knighted by
the Italian Government and is a respected figure in
America’s Italian community
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
October 2025
I sincerely hope you had a wonderful summer with your family and friends. As we enter the beautiful fall season, we are pleased to am1ounce that an interesting calendar of events will be offered here at the museum. Because October is Italian Heritage Month, we especially hope you will support the many activities that have been planned. You might be inte1'ested in knowing that last year we contacted many cities, towns and villages and requested they fly the Italian flag in October in honor of Italian Heritage Month. I'm happy to say that a number of them did just that. I hope you will make a similar request to your town, city or village to do so this year. If it can't be flown for the whole month maybe they could do it at least for the week of October 12-.
We are all well aware that in order to solve a problem we have to first acknowledge what it is. Just hoping or imagining does not make it go away. So, I wish I didn't have to inform you about what is to follow. I celebrated my 92nd birthday on this past July 13 and feel strongly that I don't have time to waste. We need to face the challenges that accompany our treasure; it appears that the museum might not have a bright future. During these forty six years we have had many serious challenges. A great deal of time, money and sacrifices have been made to open and operate our Association and museum. I doubt a volunteer would be willing to take my place because it requires much sac1ifice, responsibility, a volunteer staff and many hurdles. Also, a good. number of our key volunteers are seniors, and we may be forced to pay for their services in the future.
Unbelievably, we had 3,000 families at one time: we're now down to around 800 families. We have had our share of trials, tribulations and joys with more support than we have today. There are about 150,000 people of Italian descent in the Capital region. Yet. There are only about 500 families who are members. Around 300 of our- families live outside the region and New York state.
We face the phenomenon of losing members to relocation, changing attitudes, assimi1ation of the last three or four generations, intermarriage, death of so many members and complacency!
I have been told very often to be more positive as if that alone will ensure a bright future. Put yourself in my shoes after giving 46 years of service. For instance, most of the time the museum would not be open if I didn't open it; I could not find a chair for the Summer Festa on the Lawn; I'm doing things that others could and should do. l could go on, but those are just a few examples of what happens on a regular basis. It's disconcerting that attendance at our events is poor. I need your assistance; I can't do it by myself. We need to build our membership, especially with acquiring younger members. We need solutions, enthusiasm and commitment which may come from new members. We absolutely need more volunteers as we have only a very small handful at present who do so much to keep us going. One of the main goals is to increase our savings to pay, if necessa1y, an Executive Director and also hire people to perform the services now done by volunteers.
The amazing thing is what we have accomplished over these 46 years. We have done so much to keep our Italian heritage alive and we have a great museum of which we are very proud. We have the opportunity to have a brighter future if we garner your support, vitally needed. We have a treasure to pass on to future generations, thereby leaving an important legacy. Our future is dependent on your help. Let's make it as bright as humanly possible!
I strongly believe in our mission and if we don't meet the challenges all can be lost. In each newsletter you read about all the positive things we have accomplished. I am trying to provide the leadership that continues into the future. Our museum and I need you to help!
Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo
In honor of the Italian immigrants who came to the United States of America, 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.