By Lucy Giardino Cortese
mail@floridanewsline.com
The Italian American Club of Jacksonville takes pride in being River City’s oldest ethnic organization. Its history began during the early 1920s when a small group of immigrants decided to form a social club to continue their rich Italian heritage. After a short time this original club disbanded and in January 1935, the American Italian Club of Jacksonville (IAC) was born.
This organization consisted mainly of first generation Americans “to bring Italian people together.” During World War II the club was temporarily disbanded, but friendships founded by common bonds continued and helped pass this period of national suffering. In 1951 with the war over, the club was officially founded by a formal Charter.
After years of assembling at members’ homes, restaurants and meeting halls, a pavilion on the city’s Southside became IAC’s first formal structure. The vision of a new hall persisted and in June 1978, the new clubhouse in Mandarin was officially opened with much pomp and ceremony. This event brought misty eyes to many of the remaining founding fathers whose children and grandchildren shared this special day with them. In the new clubhouse, IAC has grown to a membership of over 250, covering four generations of Italian Americans along with their relatives and friends.
Varied activities for club members include dinner meetings, seasonal dances, Bingo and Bunko parties, picnics, Italian lessons and off-site trips. The Italian American Club offers support to I Am Special Camp, K-9 for Warriors, Wreaths Across America and other local community projects. Outreach to the public provides Spaghetti to Go the last Friday of each month. The clubhouse is also available for rentals for special occasions.
Every October, IAC honors Italian American Heritage Month with a celebration of all things Italian. Festa Italiana, now in its 30th year, welcomes the public to be “Italian for a day.”
Italian culture is rich in the arts, family, culture, music and food. At the Italian American Club, members love to share stories, traditions and recipes when they gather together. Membership is not limited to Italians and all are invited to join.
For seven decades, the Italian American Club in Jacksonville has grown and prospered through its recognition of “Orgoglio Italiano” — Italian Pride! Visit www.iacofjacksonville.com for more information.
Photo courtesy Lucy Giardino Cortese
At the dedication for the new Italian American Club building in 1978.
