In a joint statement of solidarity welcoming the visit of the President (Governor) of Tuscany, Hon. Eugenio Giani, and an entourage of Regional Council Delegates, Comm. Joseph Sciame, CEO/Chair Emeritus of the Garibaldi Meucci Museum (GMM) and Cav. Joan Marchi Migliori, and Cav. Giuliana Ridolfi Cardillo, two well-known leaders with Tuscan heritage, stated:  “We are delighted to welcome President Giani and his colleagues to the GMM on Saturday, April 22, 2023 to the famed cottage once occupied by Florentine Antonio Meucci and his wife Esterre.  The connection between the GMM on Staten Island and Meucci’s homeland Region of Tuscany are well known and respected by all, both here and in Italy.

Meucci has been recognized in a Congressional Resolution in 2002, proposed by then-congressman Vito Fossella, now the Borough President of Staten Island, as the true inventor of the telephone and therefore considered in many ways as the father of the modern age of technology with communication at many levels, including the phones that are used in hand daily.  His work was completed well before the Bell recognition, as Meucci had severe financial issues that caused his patent not to be obtained. Additionally, his own then limitations in speaking English prevented him for a sound level of communication with the judge, when appealing the decision re his discovery and not receiving the patent.

Today, the Museum is also the home of artifacts of Giuseppe Garibaldi, oftentimes referred to as the “Hero of Two Worlds,” who also lived on Staten Island from 1851-53 and then returned to Italy to eventually help create the united Italy in 1861, with the then royal Savoy family.  Visitors to the GMM are afforded many opportunities at touring the travels and travails of Garibaldi, while seeing the actual early work of Meucci, as well as his famed death mask.  School children and adults visit with classes regarding the Italian and Italian American experience, thru opera lectures, Italian language classes and art exhibits.

Again, in expressing the delight in welcoming back President Giani who had visited in earlier positions in government, the visit is a rare opportunity for such personages to visit a place in history that goes back to a cottage built in 1843 that is well and successful in 2023.  Cav. Migliori and Cav. Cardillo, both proud Tuscans commented: “This visit affords a special welcome to President Giani and his entourage, as well as to those Italians and Italian Americans who can trace their roots to the Region of Tuscany – the Toscani, who are all invited to join on Saturday, April 22, 2023.”

This Tuscany visit precedes the forthcoming dedication of the Tower of Light - “La Torre di Luce,” a sculptured work of steel and Murano glass art being donated by Venetian Sculptor Giorgio Bortoli, tan event that will occur on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 5:30pm.