In January 2026, the town of Cuggiono in Lombardy paid tribute to a group of Italian Americans whose work has helped preserve the memory of migration and maintain strong cultural ties between Italy and the United States.
The municipality awarded certificates of merit to five individuals, all connected in different ways to the history of emigration from Cuggiono. Four of them are descendants of families who left the town between the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while the fifth was a scholar whose research played a key role in documenting Italian American experiences. Together, their stories represent more than 100 years of transatlantic connections.
Among those honored was Rudolph J. Vecoli, a leading historian who died in 2008 and is remembered for founding one of the most important centers for the study of Italian migration in the United States. His work brought international attention to the book Rosa – The Life of an Italian Immigrant, a landmark narrative that shed light on the everyday lives of Italian women abroad. Vecoli’s family roots trace back to Cuggiono, making his scholarly legacy deeply personal for the town.
Also recognized were John Guidotti of St. Louis, Joseph Grassi of Belleville, Anthony Furlan of Herrin, and Richard D’Agostino of Johnston City. Each has worked for decades to safeguard family archives, promote cultural initiatives, and encourage journeys of return to their ancestral hometown.
Local officials described the recognition as a form of civic gratitude and cultural diplomacy. By honoring individuals rather than institutions, Cuggiono reaffirmed the value of personal memory and family stories in keeping history alive. The event also fit into a broader effort by the town to reconnect with its diaspora through monuments, exhibitions, and public programs, showing how migration remains a living part of its identity even generations later.
