In a residential area west of downtown Keene, there are still signs of what was once the city’s Italian neighborhood. Drive up Island Street and you’ll pass Carbone’s Window and Awning, founded decades ago by a son of immigrants. A few blocks away, members gather at the William Marconi Italian Club. Now, the Keene Heritage Commission is turning to crowd-sourcing to better understand the history of that part of town.
Supported by a state grant from the Division of Historical Resources, the group has launched an online tool where residents can upload written or recorded memories, family photos and other documents. They’re also interviewing longtime locals and holding in-person events.
