Italian American Museum, Little Italy, Manhattan, June 3, 2015 –
Tony De Nonno, an award-winning TV producer-writer-director,
historian and speaker in the Humanities gave a stirring but enlightening
journey into the life and times of Pietro Cesare Alberti, the first individual
of Italian descent to arrive in New York City. Alberti arrived in old
Dutch New York on June 2, 1635. The Italian American Museum (IAM) and Italian
Historical Society of America celebrated the installation of the granite headstone
commemorating Alberti’s arrival in front of the Museum.
From the beginning to the end of
this talk, Tony De Nonno engaged everyone into being active participants,
sharing their knowledge, thoughts, insights and ideas about the era, life and
of times of Pietro Alberti - the first Italian to live in our beloved city, New
York. In fact, Mr. De Nonno said he had been contacted by descendants of
Alberti and the family’s name was changed to Bertis.
The marker that is now mounted
outside the IAM, once stood in Bowling Green Park in Lower Manhattan after being placed there on June 2, 1958. It was created by
the renowned stone carver A. Ottavino, under the guidance, commitment and
determination of the Italian Historical Society of America and its visionary
founder, John N. La Corte.
"We
are pleased to accept this donation of great historical significance,” said Dr.
Joseph V. Scelsa, president of the Italian American Museum. “It will ensure
that more of our visitors are informed of Peter Alberti’s legacy.”
A
new marker has been placed on the northern edge of Battery Park in Manhattan.
The name on both markers shows an Anglicized version of his name: Peter Cesar Alberti. It is thought that when the new marker
was designed, this version of his name was carried over.
A special highlight of Mr. De
Nonno’s presentation was the screening of his acclaimed nationally-broadcast
documentary film - John N. La Corte: A Monument to History. The film showed
several of his efforts, including how the Verrazano Bridge that links Brooklyn
and Staten Island, got its name. (Note: the correct spelling of the bridge should be Verrazzano).
Tony De
Nonno’s website [http://www.DeNonnoProductions.com]
contains much information about his
film and video efforts.
