The Greenwich Historical Society is planning an exhibition next spring entitled Italy Comes to America: Greenwich Stories. It will focus on the remarkable history of Greenwich's Italian community, chronicling emigration from Italy to America and what it was like "becoming an American" after settling in Greenwich. And just like the Italian community helped construct some of the town's most distinctive homes and buildings, the Historical Society is asking the community to build the exhibition and to chronicle how Italian-Americans shaped the town before these memories are lost.

Treasured family heirlooms will play a large part in the exhibition. In fact, on Tuesday, October 2, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, the Greenwich Historical Society will hold a "discovery day" at the Greenwich Library Meeting Room (101 West Putnam Avenue, second floor) to explore objects and stories from local families that represent or describe the transition from Italy to America. The public is welcome to bring anything that helps depict what life was like in those early years including personal letters, emigration documents, recipes, household objects, vintage clothing, posters, postcards, scrapbooks, photographs and film clips of family and community events. Representatives from the Historical Society will examine what's brought, ask questions and collect information. (Please note that appraisals will not be given.)

As another part of the exhibition, TimeStories Inc. a personal video biography production company, will create a video legacy of the Italian-American experience in Greenwich by recording selected personal stories and recollections about family traditions, special events, school, church and other experiences unique to the Italian-American community.

People who are particularly interested in sharing a story on film should email their name and contact information to [email protected]. Space is limited for the video recording sessions, so be sure to reserve a spot. Those who wish to share stories are also encouraged to bring supporting photos, memorabilia, home movies, etc. To see examples of personal video biographies visit www.TimeStories.com or look up TimeStories on YouTube.