History of Columbia County

Sons and Daughters of Italy

Lodge #659

Prior to 1905, there was only a small number of Italians living in Columbia County.  Most of them worked as contract laborers.  Suddenly railroad yards were creating plenty of new jobs, brickyards were busy supplying the building boom in New York City with bricks, help was needed on farms, and textile mills were opening in Hudson.  The Hudson Chamber of Commerce had pamphlets circulated in many big cities in hopes of recruiting new laborers.  The few Italian families who were in Columbia Country notified their families and friends who had already settled in crowded cities, that here was the place to earn “Pane e lavoro” to support their families.  Other ethnic groups such as Polish, Germans, Russians and Southern Blacks started to settle here also.

The Italians who came to Columbia County settled together in groups with other Italians who came from the same region of Italy as they did.  This way they protected one another and spoke the same dialect.  By 1910-1930, there were four “Little Italy” sections in Columbia County (Hudson, Chatham, Stockport and Stuyvesant) They came mainly from Calabria, Naples, Abruzzi and Sicily and few from Northern Italy.

Although their social life was centered on their family, Italian Americans created several social clubs.  The largest organization, which grew very rapidly at that time, was called “Sons of Italy in America”.  Some say it was about 1910 when Columbia County Italians organized their own Lodge #659.  It is reports what they had a very active lodge, holding many functions and parades throughout the year.  The lodge was composed mostly of first generations Italians.  Their activities were attended not only by Italians, but many other ethnic groups who did not have any social organizations of their own.  They would join the festivities at the lodge, which they were welcome to attend.  This created friendship and good feelings between all groups.  Vittorio Emmanuel Lodge #659 lasted until the mid-1930’s.  There is no official documentation, and no one seems to know why the lodge stopped functioning. 

It is vital for all people to know about their heritage and culture.  They should know where their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents came from; they must learn more of their ethnic background and continue these traditions within their family with the support of their fellow countrymen. It is an important part of our way of life.  Prior to 1980, there were only four organized ethnic groups in Columbia County: African, Irish, and Jewish Americans, plus Italian American War Veterans Post #40.

In 1981, Jerry Benvenuto, Mike Rossi and Valantine Farinacci, after a few meetings together, shared a dream.  They decided it was time for Italian Americans, the largest ethnic group in Columbia County, to unite and start a Sons of Italy Lodge.  They did not know at that time that were was an Italian “Sons of Italy” Lodge in the early part of the twentieth century in Columbia County. Several meetings were held with the Officers of the Schenectady Lodge who educated potential members about the laws and what is required to join the oldest and largest organization of Italian Americans in the Unites States.  On Sunday, September 12, 1982, the dream became a reality when 57 members of Columbia County Sons of Italy Lodge were installed at the Moose Hall in Greenport, NY.  During the first few years, things were unsettled.  The members were not happy moving from one place to another without a place to call their own.  The Lodge knew it had to do something to keep its members.  A decision was made to sell bonds to the membership to generate funds and purchase land.  This was a positive move. The members felt they were now heading in the right direction of fulfilling their dream.

The Lodge purchased 13 acres of land on Bridge Street in Greenport.  The men immediately started grading the land.  In a short time, our new Lodge was built.  The Columbia County Lodge was fortunate to have in its midst contractors, carpenters, electricians, and many who worked in various building trades.  At last, our home was completed.  Now we could hold our meetings and many functions throughout the year in the new Lodge building.

In 1983, the Grand Lodge changed the rule stating, “men only” and began to allow women as members.  Our women chair many activities, which has helped our Lodge financially.  They have become Officers of the Lodge and perform their duties very effectively.  The Lodge obtained permission to change its name to the Columbia County Sons and Daughters of Italy #659.  This, we thought, would recognize the fine work our ladies were doing.  The number 659 has historical meaning for us, for it was the same number of Columbia County Lodge in the early 30’s, and some of the present members’ fathers, grandfathers and uncles were members of that Lodge.  We assumed that number to preserve a part of our heritage. 

As members, you are entering the largest organization of Italian Americans in the United States, over 500,000 family members and growing.  The South has its own Federation of Italian Americans.  You can learn about your heritage; about the great Italian discoveries and the contributions they gave this country. You can learn the language of your forefathers by joining our Italian classes.  By joining in the activities this Lodge offers and being an active member will help your lodge to continue to grow and prosper. 

Since 1982, Columbia County Sons and Daughters of Italy have grown slowly but steadily.  From day one, we have had wonderful, dedicated leaders who have all contributed growth in this lodge during their tenure.  Without their leadership and hard work, we would not have our beautiful lodge nor the well-respected standing of our community.  These leaders: Genesio Benvenuto, Vincent Valenti, John Florio, Jr., John Laccetti, Joseph Concra, Thomas Fisher and our present leader Philip Abitabile, deserve the highest gratitude for their time and effort.

Americans of Italian ancestry enter the “New Country” want it to be known, that part of their dream is that they should be judged on their own talents, their own intelligence, their own motivations.  They say, “Don’t promote us, don’t make us go ahead or give us special favors because we are Italian Americans, but don’t hold us back because our names end with vowels.  We must be judged for who and what we are and what we have accomplished”.  As Italian Americans we want to take our rightful place in society.  We must demand nothing less than equal opportunity and full participation in every aspect of our “American Way of Life”.

All we ask for is what the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and our American Dream guarantee us, the right to develop and the right to be everything that we can be, where nothing can hold us back but our own limits.  These are the rights we Italian Americans are demanding.  This is our dream: this is our goal.

-          Written by Valentine Farinacci, co-founder of Columbia County Sons and Daughters of Italy #659.  Born In Albany November 18, 1920, and died February 3, 2004, at age of 83. Valentine was a decorated veteran of World War II and was the owner and operator of Stuyvesant Press for many years.