Italian American Museum: The Museum of Italians in New York

What You Need to Know About the Italian American Museum

• The Italian American Museum is a brand-new New York museum dedicated to the history of the Italian American community in the USA. The museum opened on October 14, 2024 at 151 Mulberry Street. It sits in the heart of Little Italy, New York’s Italian neighborhood in Manhattan.
• This project took decades to realize. The museum’s concept began in 2001, following an early exhibition on Italian New Yorkers organized by Joseph V. Scelsa. This scholar directed the Italian American Institute at CUNY, the City University of New York. A first location opened in 2008 within CUNY before moving to a historic Little Italy building in 2018.
• The project gained momentum with a brand-new building on Mulberry Street. The museum aims to “serve as a cultural center and community hub for Italian Americans and the Little Italy neighborhood,” according to Joseph V. Scelsa.
• Joseph V. Scelsa directs the museum and is a leading figure in Little Italy. He championed the project and rallied the Italian American community during fundraising efforts.
• The Italian American Museum goes by the acronym IAM, taking the first letters of its name. It’s a play on the English phrase “I am”—a nod to identity and belonging in the Italian American experience.

What to See at the Italian American Museum

• The museum spans 650 m² (7,000 sq ft) and is organized into several spaces. It includes a café-shop and an auditorium alongside exhibition galleries.
• Since summer 2025, the Italian American Museum features a permanent exhibition tracing the settlement and achievements of the Italian American community in New York and across the USA. The exhibition is richly documented with period photographs.
• The museum also hosts rotating exhibitions on Italian culture and history. The inaugural exhibition showcased puppets created by Agrippino Manteo, a Sicilian who arrived in New York in 1919 with his puppet theater. Another exhibition explored Giovanni da Verrazzano’s voyage—he was the first European to reach the North American coast, in 1524. The bridge spanning the entrance to New York Harbor now bears his name.
• The museum is highly active, hosting numerous events throughout the year including lectures, readings, and author talks. There’s always something happening in Little Italy. If you’re interested in Italian American heritage, also visit the Little Italy in the Bronx, New York’s other Italian neighborhood.

Practical Information

• Address: 151 Mulberry Street, New York. The museum is steps from the southwest corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets, in the heart of Little Italy.
• Subway: Canal St (lines 4, 6, J, and Z) or Grand St (lines B and D).
• Hours: Open Thursday to Saturday, noon to 5 pm. Wednesday and Sunday visits are by appointment only.
• Admission: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and children under 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to visit the Italian American Museum in New York?

The Italian American Museum is compact at 650 m² (7,000 sq ft) total. Plan about an hour to see the exhibitions. You’re welcome to stay longer, especially if you want to enjoy an Italian cappuccino at the café.

What age is appropriate to visit the Italian American Museum?

The Italian American Museum welcomes visitors of all ages. It’s a chance to discover the culture and history of Italian Americans—Italians and descendants of Italian immigrants who settled in the USA. That said, very young children may not find it engaging.

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