Garibaldi-Meucci Museum

In 1850, Italian nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi settled briefly in New York following an attempt to unify his home country. During his time in America he shared a Gothic Revival residence on Staten Island with Antonio Meucci, a prolific inventor who developed an early telephone device. The structure in which they lived now serves as a memorial to their respective achievements and as a center for Italian culture and heritage, with periodic exhibitions and concerts.

On-site programs: Guided tours explore the architecture of the house and present biographic profiles of Garibaldi and Meucci. Interactive programs for younger children recreate a Venetian celebration of Carnevale, and students learn the origins of the Tarantella dance. Pre- and postvisit materials are available. (Grades K–12; $)

In-school programs: Experienced speakers can come directly to schools and community centers in order to discuss a variety of topics. More than 25 subjects are included, ranging from Italian opera and several periods of Italian history to Italian American immigration and Italian American sports legends. (Grades K-12; $)

Additional resources: The museum maintains a reference library of 2,000 rare and out-of-print books on a variety of topics including Italian art, literature, and history.

General information: Address: 420 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305; Phone: (718) 442-1608; Web: www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org.

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