The earliest contact between the Philadelphia region and Italy occurred during the 17th century. Philadelphia became a magnet for northern Italian immigrants to British North America, who could profit by connecting the city to ports such as Genoa. 

Many of these skilled Northern immigrants were musicians, artists, scientists, intellectuals, artisans, and entrepreneurs. In 1791, the Republic of Genoa appointed its first consul in Philadelphia from the Italian peninsula. They were to be responsible for trade relations.