Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Check out the latest holiday-themed installment of Cooking at Home with the IAMLA! In this episode, we examine the history behind a mainstay of the beloved Italian cookie platter, cuccidati, and demonstrate how to make it from the safety of your own kitchen! A special thank you to San Antonio Winery, Los Angeles.

Happy Birthday, Frank Sinatra! Born on this day in 1915, Francis Albert Sinatra was an American singer, actor and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

In October of 1925, 69-year-old Dogtown resident Cecilia Scottini harvested and crushed grapes to make wine for her family. After receiving a complaint about a suspicious odor, police officers arrived at the Scottini residence and discovered ten gallons of fermenting must, or grape juice, in the garage. Although within the legal limit, Cecilia was arrested and charged with bootlegging. To be released from jail, Cecilia posted $75 bail, the equivalent of $1,100 today; a judge later sentenced her to probation. This photograph was taken June 7, 1914. Cecilia Scottini is standing in the back, her hand on her granddaughter’s shoulder. Cecilia's son is seated next to them. Cecilia would have been 58 years old in this photograph, just 11 years before her arrest. #bootlegging #otdih #fromthearchives #museumfromhome #lahistory #dogtown

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday evening's Facebook Live stream entitled Buon Natale: Unexpected Stories Behind Beloved Holiday Traditions. If you were unable to tune in you can watch the full recorded program on our youtube channel, linked below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdI4vWdxEBU&t=47s

https://fb.watch/2is7GP2NKk/

Thank you to everyone who attended last night’s webinar! If you were unable to tune in for the live stream you can watch the full recorded program on our youtube channel, linked here. What better way to celebrate Italian American Heritage month than learning new ways to discover your family's story! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh0zYVWx9As

Our Facebook Live event, Buon Natale: Unexpected Stories Behind Beloved Holiday Traditions, is about to begin! So find a cozy spot, grab your favorite holiday beverage or snack, and enjoy! A link will appear right here on our main facebook page once the stream begins at 4pm PST, simply click the link to watch. Remember, audience questions are welcome!

TO WATCH TONIGHT'S WEBINAR, "My Roots, My Heritage: Discovering Your Family's Origins", click the link that appears on this page (our main Facebook page) once we are live. Or you can go to the event page here: http://ow.ly/XNMR50BSNGT where we will be posting a link to the live stream as well.

Join us tomorrow evening at 4pm PST for our newest, free interactive webinar "My Roots, My Heritage: Discovering Your Family's Origins". The IAMLA and Italian Sons and Daughters of America invite you to tune into this educational online presentation during which we will be discussing topics such as; how to get started, the resources available, tips for genealogical research, and how to interpret historic documents. Click the link below to rsvp: http://ow.ly/XNMR50BSNGT

TOMORROW, December 10 at 4pm PST, join us via Facebook live for an evening of free holiday fun when author, Carla Gambescia, teaches us all about the unexpected stories behind some of our most beloved holiday traditions! Audience questions welcome! Click here for more info and to RSVP https://fb.me/e/SWgekZv5

This THURSDAY night! Are you curious about your family's early years? Want to learn about your ancestors, locate familial villages, or compile the information needed to pursue dual citizenship? Tune in on 10/22 at 4 pm PST via Facebook Live on this page for a **free** webinar designed to help you kickstart your journey into discovering your family history! Have specific questions? Include them in the comment section below; we will answer as many as possible during the webinar! Watch the video for more info!

Tune in on 10/22 at 4 pm PST to our free genealogy webinar! #genealogy #familyhistory #Italianheritagemonth #ancestry

What is your family's story? Where are they from? When did they come to the US, and what did they do once they arrived? In honor of Italian American Heritage Month, we'd like you to share your family's story in the comments below and include a photograph. Then, on October 26th we'll select a story at random to share in a designated post on our page, the winner will also receive two free IAMLA Face masks! If you've always wanted to learn more about your family history tune in on October 22 at 4 pm PST via Facebook Live for a free webinar designed to help you kickstart your journey into discovering your family history! Click here for more details http://ow.ly/41i450BWDKJ

This Italian American Heritage Month let us recognize that discovering and preserving our history is more important than ever. Join us for a free interactive genealogy webinar, designed to help you discover your family's origins and unique story. Comment with your questions below, and we'll answer them during the webinar! The IAMLA and Italian Sons and Daughters of America present "My Roots, My Heritage: Discovering Your Family's Origins", this Thursday October 22 at 4pm PS...T via Facebook live. Click the link below to rsvp: http://ow.ly/8GXm50BSNiD

In celebration of Italian American Heritage Month, we asked you all to tell us whose memory you honor and who inspires you. Today we're highlighting the family story of Judy Donina Wolfe, and sharing this image of her nona and nono. "I am the proud descendant of Bresciani from the region of Lombardia. My nono was born in Nadro in the Val Camonica. My nona was born in Roè Volciano. They met and married in the Monongahela Valley in PA. In 1965, Nonie took my sister and me to ...spend the summer at Lake Garda. During that time, she showed us where Grandpap was born as well as her homestead. It was eerie to see "Donina" as the most common name in the Ceto cemetery. We saw the graves of all of our Italian great-grandparents, names we did not know beforehand. We learned a lot about our roots and have kept in touch with all the generations that survive. It is important to teach your children and grandchildren from where they came and to take them there if possible. We have done the same with my maternal side of the family whose roots are in Slovenia. When I was a little girl, I played cards with my nono all the time. I also helped him on his farm feeding the animals. He had a cow name Judy and she had twin calves. He bought me a tiny accordion on a trip he took to Italy. I will be forever grateful to my nona for taking me to Italy as a teenager. I wish he had lived longer to go with us."

The IAMLA is collecting items to feature in a virtual silent auction this holiday season! If you or someone you know has a business that might be interested in donating an item, service, or gift card email us at [email protected]. Each business will be highlighted in a variety of ways, including the online silent auction catalog, the IAMLA website, the museum's newsletter, and social media platforms. Most importantly, all silent auction proceeds will directly support IAMLA exhibitions, educational activities, and other public programs, many of which are now available virtually. The IAMLA is also a 501 c 3 non-profit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about your family's origins but were unsure of where to start? Comment on this post with your genealogical research questions, then tune into our free interactive webinar, "My Roots, My Legacy: Discovering Your Family's Origins", on October 22nd to see them answered! We will be discussing topics such as; how to get started, the resources available, tips for genealogical research, and how to interpret historic documents. Click the link bel...ow for more details, and to rsvp. http://ow.ly/lmEz50BSJfT See more

Hello, this is Mercedes, the Getty Marrow Intern for the IAMLA. I have chosen pieces from the museum’s collection to highlight on social media, and this week will be about this phonograph record from The Pink Panther 50th Anniversary Edition of the film score from 2003 because of my childhood memories of this character. The score was composed and conducted by Henry Mancini and this edition included a pink vinyl. The Pink Panther theme is an unforgettable classic that has featured in the lives of many since its origination. . #vintagela #fromthearchives #records