"It has not always been easy but we have much to be proud of, for our contributions to American society are enormous," said Scelsa, the museum's president, in a letter on its website.
"Now we will have a secular cathedral for all to see, experience and appreciate where we came from and what we have achieved," Scelsa stated, emphasizing the historical significance of the new museum.
"We were given 32 of these puppets by Michael Manteo, the son of the [Manteo Theater's] founder, Agrippino Manteo, which we promised that we would bring back to Mulberry Street," Scelsa explained regarding the puppets' historical context.
The primary exhibit, titled 'Puppet Homecoming: The Historic Sicilian Manteo Marionettes Return to Mulberry Street,' showcases evocative, wooden marionettes that date back to the 1920s and 1930s.
#italian-american-history #cultural-museum #little-italy #sicilian-puppetry #community-contributions
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