About

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, formerly known as the Garibaldi Memorial, is a circa 1840 Gothic Revival cottage in the Rosebank section of Staten Island, New York. It was home to the telephone inventor and candle maker Antonio Meucci (1808–1889).The Italian revolutionary and political leader Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882) lived there from 1851 to 1853.

In 1884 a plaque commemorating Garibaldi's stay was placed on the building, with Meucci in attendance. The house had been moved from its original nearby location in 1907 and situated within an open-air colonnaded memorial pavilion, which was later removed. The Memorial, as it was then called, was dedicated in 1907 to mark Garibaldi's 100th birthday.  During the course of 1919, the Italian American community could no longer care for the Memorial and the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA), founded in 1905, became the caretakers and owners of the site.  A monument to Meucci was erected in the front yard in 1923, and his remains are on this hallowed ground.  Meucci’s wife Estere's remains were discovered in a local cemetery in 1989 and placed on the grounds with her stone memorial.

In 1956 the house was opened by the OSIA, as the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, helping to celebrate Italian-American heritage and culture, as well as the lives of Giuseppe Garibaldi and Antonio Meucci. The museum is owned by the National Sons of Italy Foundation, Inc. (SIF) and administered by the New York State Grand Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America, with an administrative staff since 1986. Arts and cultural organizations are vital hubs that bond neighbors, celebrate local heritage, and build relationships that support local business and foster ethnic and civic pride. The museum art gallery rotates the art, photographs, and sculptures produced by local as well as renown artists. The museum art gallery rotates the artwork, photos, and sculptures of local artists and renown artists.  The children’s school programs transform education by enhancing the learning process across all curriculum and develop essential skills like creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Among our many programs are authors from around the world. These authors, professors, and lecturers discuss and present multimedia presentations and autograph books during individual and group exhibitions at the museum.  The classes include Italian Language, Italian Culture, Opera Appreciation, Memoir Writing, School Field Trips, Historical Tours, and a traveling  Speaker's Bureau Program that reaches out to the community and other organizations throughout the country.

Programs are supported by local and national donors and grants including: Con Edison, Richmond County Savings Foundation,  Nicotra Foundation, Order Sons of Italy in America, National Organization of Italian American Women, Sons of Italy Foundation, Inc., Staten Island Foundation, Carol and Rocco Berardi, Northfield Bank,  NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Councilperson Debi Rose and the Office of the Staten Island Borough President.  Also, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum collaborates with Staten Island Technical High School annually for the Antonio Meucci Young Inventors Competition, encouraging New York City students to be creative and competitive.