Our History
From the inaugural issue of the Italian American Digest to the creation of the iconic Piazza d’Italia, our more than 50 years of history reflect a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the vibrant traditions and stories of American Italians in Louisiana.
Italian American Digest
Joseph Maselli publishes the first quarterly newspaper to serve as the "Italian American Voice of the South." Today it has a circulation of over 20,000.
Piazza d'Italia
The Piazza d'Italia was completed in 1978 as a tribute to New Orleans' Italian-American community. Designed by renowned postmodern architect Charles Moore in collaboration with Perez Architects, the urban public plaza features a fountain shaped like the Italian peninsula.
American-Italian Renaissance Foundation
The American Italian Cultural Center is founded by Joseph Maselli to honor and celebrate American Italian history and culture in Louisiana. Maselli chose the term "American-Italian" instead of "Italian-American" to highlight the fact that New Orleanians of Italian origins were Americans first.
Louisiana American Italian Sports Hall of Fame
Joseph Maselli founds the LAISHF to honor the accomplishments of the many American Italian athletes.
Piazza d'Italia Restoration
In conjunction with the conversion of the adjacent Lykes Center into the Loews Hotel, the Piazza d'Italia underwent a full restoration completed in 2004. Perez Architects oversaw the faithful restoration, bringing the fountain back to working order. While the badly deteriorated campanile was removed, the project breathed new life into Moore's postmodern vision, revitalizing this unique piece of New Orleans' architectural heritage.
Piazza d'Italia Improvements
Mayor Mitch Landrieu announces a $280,000 renovation with the goal of adding Italian-style landscaping, creating privacy screens, and developing ADA-compliant restrooms. A second phase, completed by 2018, focused on restoring and replacing elements of the fountain to fully realize its original conception.
Pope John Paul II Statue
Archbishop Gregory Aymond authorizes the creation of a marble statue of Saint Pope John Paul II to commemorate the pontiff's 1987 visit to New Orleans. In collaboration with the American Italian Cultural Center, renowned artist Franco Alessandrini is commissioned to sculpt the statue from Carrara marble in Italy.
Blessing
Pope Francis blesses the statue at the Vatican during a general audience.
Installation
Archbishop Gregory Aymond blesses the statue after the Tricentennial Mass in front of the St. Louis Cathedral where it stands today.
"The Monumental Journey"
A documentary about the statue project, "The Monumental Journey," is recognized at the Mirabile Dictu International Catholic Film Festival in Rome, Italy.