Italian American history most commonly refers to those communities in large cities such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The lives of urban Italian American immigrants is well documented and repeatedly appears in popular culture. Their stories are easily accessible and live within the realm of common knowledge. Small town, rural Italian American community history mostly exists in generational oral heritage. Until the publication of the thesis, Little Italy, Colusa: the Forgotten Neighborhood 1850-1930, the Italian American history of Colusa lived only within a handful of community members who remember the stories. This presentation will explore the history of Italian Americans in Colusa until 1930, their reasons for leaving the old world and the various routes they took to get to California. Furthermore, topics covered will include agriculture production, immigrant sponsorship, mining, discrimination, and even a mafia presence. Italian Americans from this small community played a surprising role in its shaping and deserve to be remembered.

Cassie Ferraiuolo graduated as a distinguished student from Chico State with a BA and Master’s degree in history. She was awarded the Clarence McIntosh-William Hutchinson Graduate Fellowship Award which funded her research, allowing her access to various archives across the country. Ferraiuolo is in her 7th year as a middle school history teacher and is a prospective PhD student at U.C. Davis.

A brief history of the Sacramento Valley Museum and a tour will follow Ms. Ferraiuolo’s presentation. **Please note that the museum has steps only for access.**

The Director’s meeting will begin at 10:00 am with the luncheon beginning at noon. The luncheon will be lasagna, salad, bread, and cookies.

Photo: Francesco “Frank” Ferraiuolo (1876-1932), the first Frank Ferraiuolo of Colusa, with an unknown child and friend. They are posing in front of a small vineyard while Frank holds a bottle of wine. This photo was taken during prohibition. Property of Cassie Ferraiuolo.