As a representative of the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum (GMM), I had the honor of visiting three Garibaldi museums from 26 September to 1 October 2026: Casa Bianca on Isola Caprera, Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano in Torino, and Museo Garibaldino in Genoa.
The gifts I presented to the directors of each museum on behalf of GMM Chair Joseph Sciame, Co-Chair Marianne Bortone Prince, and officers of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, were graciously accepted.
September 26 was the opening day of a special exhibit at Garibaldi’s Casa Bianca. Edoardo Barbarini was a dear friend of Giuseppe Garibaldi. He was an engineer patriot and a Garibaldean volunteer, who fought alongside the General during the Risorgimento. He helped the General during and after the wars. He was the designer of the windmill and the oven on Isola Caprera, now the Museum property. The General gave Barbarini a dressing gown and two smoking caps. These gifts have been preserved by the Barbarini family. They are on loan and are the focus of the special exhibit in Casa Bianca. The director of the Compendium and host of the exhibit is Arch. Sergio Cappai.
On Tuesday, 29 September, I visited the comprehensive Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento Italiano in Torino. Artifacts related to the battles in the fight for unification are on display. Direttore Alessandro Bollo and one of his assistants, Francesca, welcomed me. Sig. Bollo described the extensive collection, including many paintings depicting the fight for Italian unification.
Known as “the beating heart of the Risorgimento,” the Museo Garibaldino is housed in General Garibaldi’s former headquarters in Genoa. During my visit on Thursday, October 1, the Director, Sig.ra M. Teresa Carrara, described the artifacts, the artwork, and her family’s connection to the Museum.
Meeting with the directors of these three museums was inspirational. Their enthusiasm, pride, and dedication to preserve historical artifacts and the accompanying rich stories were revealed during each visit. An invitation to visit the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum on Staten Island, New York, was extended to each director. This visit was one small step in sharing our common mission—our dedication to preserving the contributions of General Giuseppe Garibaldi and those who assisted in creating a unified Italy.
