On Sunday, March 27, 2005 at 11:20:01 AM UTC-4, GloriaAnn Lardieri wrote:
Does anyone has any information on this organization?
My grandfather was one of the founding members of it in Altoona, PA in
the early 1900's but know little of it. From what I understand it is
make up of individuals from the Campania region and those specifically
from the city of Buccino. I've done google searches on it with no luck.
I would be curious to see if anyone knows of it.
Gloria Ann
Hi Gloria, My grandfather also was one of the founding members of the club. His name was Joseph Branda. Your grandfather’s name was one I heard when he and my mom would talk at the dinner table. The club was founded in 1910 apparently by immigrants
to Altoona from Buccini who came to work on the railroad. The club was a social club as well as a club that provided various kinds of assistance to the Italians from their town. I remember that members of the Buccinese Society showed up at Santella’s
Funeral Home when my uncle died and said some prayers and sang a hymn.
My cousins from the Hungarian side of the family remembers goi g to the club on Friday nights for pasta e fagioli that cost 25 cents a bowl. It was also a place where you could get a drink after closing time.
The Buccinese Society was one of a number of Italian Clubs in Altoona that were formed by groups representing g various sections of Italy. My aunt’s family belonged to a club for the Italians from the Abruzzi region. Here is one link to an article.
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/29692975/buccinese-society-founding/
https://hsp.org/sites/default/files/legacy_files/migrated/buccinese.pdf
The second site is an article and picture of the club. I think you will find your grandfather there somewhere.
I sadly have never been to the club. I grew up in Pittsburgh and when I visited my grandparents I just never got there. I believe it is still in Altoona although the 25 cents pasta is most likely gone.
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