Guide to the Sons of Columbus of America Records and Photographs 1927-2005

Repository
Heinz History Center
Title
Sons of Columbus of America Records and Photographs
Creator
Sons of Columbus
Collection Number
MSS 904
Extent
3.5 linear feet (5 boxes)
Date
1927-2005
Abstract
The Sons of Columbus of America is an Italian American fraternal organization that encourages community service and civic leadership. The Sons of Columbus Records and Photographs contains film reels, VHS tapes, pamphlets, brochures, and photographs documenting the organization's social events. Most of the material pertains to various banquets and Columbus Day activities, including parades, anniversaries, and national conventions.
Language
The material in this collection is in English.
Author
The guide to this collection was written by Nick Hartley.
Sponsor
This collection has been made accessible as part of an NHPRC-funded Basic Processing grant.
Publisher
Heinz History Center
Address
1212 Smallman St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
library@heinzhistorycenter.org
URL: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org

History

The Sons of Columbus of America is an Italian American fraternal organization that promotes the ideals exemplified by Christopher Columbus and encourages community service and civic leadership. The organization was established in 1925 when the Italian Workman's Society, the Royal Marine Society, and the Victor Emanuel Society merged into one organization. Donato Ardolino (1877-1940), an Italian immigrant and owner of a stone contracting company in WIlkinsburgh, Pa., was the organization's first national president. Under Ardolino's leadership the Sons of Columbus grew rapidly, and at the time of his death in 1940 there were 60 chapters in Pittsburgh and additional chapters expanding across the United States. The Sons of Columbus is notable for erecting the Christopher Columbus monument in Schenley Park in honor of the five hundreth anniversary of the founding of America.

Scope and Content Notes

The Sons of Columbus of America Records and Photographs are housed in 5 boxes. Boxes 1 and 2 contain photographs from conventions, parades, and banquets; box 2 also contains copies of S.O.C.'s constitution and bylaws, in both English and Italian. Boxes 3 and 4 contain 11 film reels, two of which document the 1969 and 1970 Pittsburgh Columbus Day parades, as well as a DVD of another Columbus Day parade. Box 5 contains 10 VHS tapes of Columbus Day events and banquets, as well as organizational programs and brochures (in English and Italian); the program for the Rededication of the Columbus Monument in Schenley Park; and letters of recognition from the Pennyslvania Senate and the City of Pittsburgh in honor of the Sons of Columbus' 80th anniversity in 2005.

Conditions Governing Access

None.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift from Anthony Dinardo in 2002, 2006, and 2011..

Archives accession #'s 2002.0175, 2006.0074, and 2011.0295.

Preferred Citation

Sons of Columbus of America Records and Photographs, 1927-2005, MSS 904 , Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Nick Hartley on 02/06/2013.

Conditions Governing Use

Property rights reside with the Senator John Heinz History Center. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Library and Archives of the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Separated Materials

2 oversized photographs of the Sons of Columbus of America's 8th National Convention and Columbus Day Banquet, held at the William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa., 1945.

Subjects

    Personal Names

    • Ardolino, Donato.
    • Carletti, Rose Marie.

    Other Subjects

    • Italian Americans--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
    • Columbus Day Parade--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh

Container List