The IAMLA’s collection contains approximately 6,000 artifacts, photographs and archival documents. The ever growing collection spans from the 18th century to recent history. Italian Americans and Italians in the West are the Museum’s collections priorities and the Museum serves as the only repository of its kind in the Western U.S.
If you are interested in donating an item to the IAMLA, please call (213) 485-8432. Click here to view a list of the types of items we seek for the Museum.
If you would like copies of images in our collection, please fill out and submit this form.
The Bozzani brothers, pictured above, began with a modest bicycle repair shop next door to the Italian Hall and then founded one of the earliest automobile dealerships in Los Angeles in 1911. As a highway commissioner, brother Amerigo later oversaw the construction of the state’s first freeway. The company remains family-owned today.
The Gianduia Market, an Italian grocery store once located at the present site of L.A. City Hall.
Italian American upward mobility was closely linked to education. The 1932 USC track team included Albert Vignolo, second row, fifth from right, nephew of pioneer Ambrosio Vignolo.
The oldest known issue of L’Italo Americano newspaper, which has been published continuously in Los Angeles since 1908.
Picnic of the Contessa Entellina Society, whose members hailed from a small town in Sicily bearing the same name.
An 1879 receipt from Sanguinetti and Vignolo’s La Esperanza Store, which was located in downtown Los Angeles. Notice the price of onions!
Ceremonial ribbon from the Garibaldina Mutual Benefit Society.
Early Progresso Brand label bearing the surnames of the company's founders, cousins Gaetano Uddo and Vincente Taormina.
Italian cookbook, "Il tesoretto della cucina italiana" (Treasures of the Italian Kitchen) circa 1950.
Map, circa 1930, produced by the Italian Touring Club, which was founded in 1894 to promote travel the appreciation of the environment.
Citizenship class at McKinley Adult School in Los Angeles, early 1920s.
Harvest celebration at Guasti Vineyards, in Rancho Cucamonga.
Photograph of actresses Teresa Tirelli and Lucille Ball from the 1956 "I Love Lucy" episode "Lucy's Italian Movie"
Napkin from Patsy D'Amore's famous Villa Capri, Hollywood.
1923 safe from the Costa Macaroni Company, Los Angeles
The Costa family photographed in their first pasta company, located in Los Angeles' "Little Sicily," early 1900s
Alien registration card for Frances Corsentino of California. One of the thousands of non-U.S. citizens forced to register as an "enemy alien" following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Procession at St. Peter's Italian Church in Los Angeles, 1920s.
Members of the Festa, Lombardo, and Emanuelli families celebrate Armistice Day on November 11, 1918 in Los Angeles' Little Italy.
The Fazzi family's Fort Market on Macy Street in Los Angeles' Little Italy.
California highway commissioner, Amerigo Bozzani, who oversaw the construction of the west's earliest freeway. The Bozzani family owned one of Los Angeles' first car dealerships.
The Italian passport of Maria Angela Ricci, a satirist writer who was investigated by the FBI during WWII on account of her writings.
One of the army dog tags for Leo Ricci, who served in World War I and played on the military band.
A menu from Little Joe's, which changed its name from "Little Joe's Italian Restaurant" during World War II following anti-Italian sentiments.
An oil painting of Mother Sabichi, mother of Matteo Sabichi. Matteo settled in Los Angeles in 1834.
A Scandalli accordion that belonged to Thomas Pedrini.
A home savings bank for the Bank of Italy (now Bank of America) used by Christian and Cecilia Scottini in the early 1900s.
