Check out this interactive map to explore some of the locations most near and dear to the Italian community in Madison:
Check out this glossary to learn the inside scope on Italian lingo in Madison:
1. During the Great Depression, you could ask for a little booze in your coffee for a slight upcharge at the local cafe. Extra money for the shop owner and a little extra something to start the day off for you.
2. Yearly scholarships at UW-Madison for Italian students with Italian heritage to study abroad.
3. The Italian version of Italian Workmen’s Club. Literally translates to Sicilian Italian Workers Club of Mutual Aid and Charity.
4. A gathering of all different cultures living in Wisconsin with food, entertainment, ethnic dances, and more. The Italian Workmen’s Club is one of the primary food vendors and active participants.
5. Since 2000, the Italian Workmen’s Club has been involved with the Madison-Mantova Italy Sister City programs resulting in several visits between the two cities’ mayors.
6. The only Italian approved tomato sauce you are permitted to buy from a can
7. Head of the city redevelopment authority who caused a lot of broken hearts during the urban renewal.
8. Seme di zucca or salted pumpkin seeds. The kids would eat these at school and get in trouble for leaving the shells on the ground.
9. Vanilla ice cream dipped with chocolate on a stick. Back in the day, a WWI veteran would go up and down Regent Street with a cart yelling “soldier boy!” The children were a fan.
10: A one million bond issue approved by the city of Madison to eliminate poor housing, traffic congestion, challenges to commercial and industrial growth and deterioration of neighborhoods in 1958
Grab a bottle of vino and pasta and enjoy some classic Italian tunes with this playlist:
Italians in Madison 