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10 ways Italians have left their mark in Madison & how to continue their traditions

Madison, Wisconsin is steeped in tradition and home to many Italian-immigrants. The cities rich Italian history hardly gets enough attention and it’s time for it to be more widely acknowledged. From family-owned restaurants and a local Italian society, to UW-Madison’s dedication to the study of Italian, Italians have had an impact in Madison. Delve deeper and learn more about Italy in Wisconsin through the 10 ways Italians have left their mark in Madison & how to continue their traditions.

1. The majority of Italian immigrants come from Sicily

Italians who arrived in Wisconsin came from all over Italy. Typically, when one imagines the Italian peninsula we think of the developed urban cities such as Rome, Milan, or Florence. However, the greatest number of Italian immigrants arriving in the late 19th century were poor immigrants from the agrarian-based South of Italy and Sicily. In 1960, Madison was home to 1,484 Italians. That number has grown to 9,823.

2. Why Wisconsin, of all places?

In 1870 after the unification of Italy, Italians in the southern regions of the country suffered great economic hardship. A few wealthy men owned nearly all the workable land, and the lure of la vita Americana became more desirable. Many came in search of employment seeking work in urban factories and along the railroad. Wisconsin made the perfect destination for such workers as these jobs were always in high demand. Those who made their home in northern counties often worked in mining and lumbering. In Madison, some were stonecutters who worked on the State Capitol and Wisconsin Historical Society buildings.

3. A place to call home, the “Club Lavoratori Italiani Sicilia” stands today

In 1912, twelve men got together to form a local society. They held meetings in a wooden building behind a store offered by Angelo Maisono on Regent street. There were 43 charter members in just the first year. The clubhouse built in 1922 built by volunteer labor of membership, stands today at 914 Regent Street. “We have never done anything to change the outside look of the building, which has been the same for nearly 100 years,” said David Rizzo, president of the IWC.

4. The Italian Workmen’s Club mission

The club’s mission is to preserve and promote the history, culture, language, and traditions of Italians and Italian Americans. The IWC is dedicated to provide social opportunities that encourage its members to embrace their common Italian heritage, and to engage with the surrounding community, thereby increasing awareness of and appreciation for the collective achievements, honors and contributions of their ancestors.

5. The Greenbush Bar

While Italian restaurants abound, none compare to the Greenbush Bar located in the basement of the historic Italian Workmen’s club. Greenbush was Madison’s “Little Italy”, filled with restaurants, Italian grocery stores, butcher shops, and bars. In its early days, there were boot- leggings, gangsters and secrets. But the Greenbush bar, owned by Italian immigrants from Sicily, represents the Italian experience in Madison. They are dedicated to using local and organic ingredients and import several products from Italy.

6. Culture continues through the UW-Madison Italian language program

UW-Madison has been committed to preserving the Italian Legacy and continues to educate their students through the Department of French and Italian. The first class in Italian at UW-Madison was offered in the 1850s, and Italian language courses became a regular part of the UW-Madison curriculum in the academic year 1887-88. Italian at UW-Madison remains one of the oldest, most successful and most important Italian programs in the world. Through the program, students develop proficiency in the language while expanding their knowledge on the region’s history, literature, art, architecture, and film from world-renowned experts in their field.

7. Why students study Italian at UW-Madison

Students continue to study Italian at Madison for a variety of reasons. Those from Wisconsin coming to UW-Madison are likely to have some sort of Italian heritage and can trace it back to Italian families and cities. Perhaps, they seek to get in touch with the language of their grandparents or great grandparents. Some students have learned Italian from relatives and want to continue. Others are simply interested with the opportunity to learn a new language that perhaps won’t present the world’s biggest challenge like learning a brand new alphabet.

8. Where to eat for the best & most authentic Italian experience in Madison

Madison has no shortage of Italian cuisine to savor. The city’s many restaurants were established by first or second-generation Italian immigrants and their legacies have carried on by younger generations. These gems provide comfort and a taste of home for Italians in Madison. From Angelo’s and Cafe La Bellitalia to Naples 15 and Nonno’s Risotrante Italian, there’s an Italian restaurant on every corner. Osteria Papavero’s chef Francesco Mangano comes from Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. Mangano uses fine ingredients “impeccably prepared with great finesse” to reproduce Tuscan specialties. Fraboni’s Italian Specialties & Delicatessen in the heart of Greenbush, opened in 1971 by Angelo Fraboni and is now owned by his two sons. This shop has a delicious Italian sub, stuffed to the brim with all things Italian.

9. Gotham bagels in downtown Madison carries imported goods from Italy

Sometimes it’s difficult to scout out places that sell authentic and imported goods; grocery stores typically take a product, tortilla chips, for example, and make their own spin on said product. However, Gotham bagels has been successful in bringing Italy into the heart of downtown Madison. Owner and chef Joe Galgio seeks to help everyone use top-tier and authentic ingredients when cooking. From Caponi’s Handmade Egg Tagliatelle to Sicilian oregano on branches, the bagel shop brings Italy right to your kitchen.

10. The Italian Film Festival in Madison

The Italian Film Festival USA takes place in 14 American cities and is the largest festival dedicated to Italian film in the USA. The line-up includes Italian films from award-winning directors to debut films. In Madison, these films are screened for free at the Marquee Cinema in Union South at the UW-Madison campus.

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