By Erv Dworkin

October is Italian-American Heritage Month and today is Columbus Day, a good time to examine the influence this classic European culture has had on our city. These seekers of New World opportunities brought with them Old World artisanal skills, entrepreneurism and cultural traditions that would enrich the simmering melting pot of America.

The first known Italian settler in New Britain was Agostino Bertini, who came in 1859 and ran a barber shop/bath house on Main Street. His family quickly assimilated into local society as one of his sons married Laura Judd, another became mayor of Wallingford, and a nephew was employed as a tool and die maker at P. & F. Corbin.

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Source: http://www.centralctcommunications.com/