Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Presents AMERIGO VESPUCCI, AND ITALIANS WHO HELPED SHAPE AMERICA, 10/21

In celebration of the 500th anniversary of the famed explorer's death, this October the Italian Culture and Heritage Month will honor Amerigo Vespucci. In celebration, today, October 21 at 2 p.m., the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum will offer ITALIANS WHO HELPED SHAPE AMERICA, presented by Professor Louis Leonini. Beginning with the story of the legendary adventurer for whom our continent was named, Professor Leonini will also explore the lives of other great Italian Renaissance explorers-including Cristoforo Colombo, Giovanni Caboto, and Giovanni Da Verrazano-and many other Italians and Italian-Americans who have helped shape America with their incalculable contributions in every field of human endeavor.

Professor Leonini has a B.A. and M.A. in Late Modern European History and is completing studies for his Pd.D. A teacher, staff developer and administrator for the New York City Department of Education for 32 years, he taught courses at St. John's University and the Federation of Italian American Organizations in Brooklyn, and St. Joseph Hill Academy on Staten Island. He is a regular lecturer and member of the Speaker's Bureau at the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, where he is currently teaching weekend Italian language classes for all levels of students.

Admission of $10, $5 for members, includes a light reception. The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is located at 420 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. For more information call 718-442-1608 or visit www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned by the Sons of Italy Foundation and administered by the NYSOSIA GMM?Board of Commissioners.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, however the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation; Coccia Foundation; JP Morgan Chase Regrant in partnership with the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI) and by grants allocated by New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.