“Passion Produces Excellence: Commemorating Italian Experiences in Tulare County” is now on display at in the History of Tulare County Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum in Mooney Grove Park in Visalia.
The museum collaborated with members of the local Italian community to create this display that tells the story of the influence that this community has had on Tulare County.
“In 1930, these Italian immigrants formed Roma Lodge to carry on the Italian Culture in Tulare County,” said Larry Dutto, provost of the COS Tulare College Center. “The lodge has been active for the Order of the Sons of Italy in America for 85 years.”
Photographs and artifacts from local Italian families showcase the Italian culture, and include a wide variety of elements such as items used in the dairy business, grape industry and walnut production, items that give recognition to strong ambition and family heirlooms from Italy.
“Early settlers to Tulare County came to this area because of the rich agriculture lands,” said Dutto. “Many of these early immigrants were farmers and dairymen who came from Italy with the knowledge and hard work they needed to build their businesses.”
Admission to the park and the museum is free. For more information, call Amy King, curator of the museum, at 733-6616.