The Morristown Columbian Club originated as the “Young Men’s Italian Club”, which was organized on October 14, 1932 and incorporated on March 22, 1933. Its founding Trustees included: Alfred Crisante, Louis Vigilante, Dominick Corea, Patrick Imperato, and Nicholas Marinaro represented by member R. Sar Mischiara, Attorney at Law. Rt. Rev. Msgr. John J. Sheerin of St. Margaret’s was selected as club Chaplain. Members included the sons and daughters of second and third generation Italian migrants who came to America between 1890 and 1910 amidst growing public pressure to halt immigration from southern and eastern Europe into the United States. The club met at 13 South Street and its activities focused on social uplift, encouraging self-sufficiency within the Italian-American community, and contributing to American society; according to its Articles of Incroporation members sought, “To encourage Americanization, participate in the education and civic betterment, and promote the social, moral, and general welfare of its members”. On August 23, 1933 the Ladies Auxiliary was formed and it became a driving force in the success of the club.
Many nineteeenth-century immigrants relied upon the social and economic support offered by mutual aid societies in order to preserve their cultural heritage and find a niche in the American society. Two such organizations that preceded the Young Men’s Italian Club were the Italian Working Man’s Association of Morristown that incorporated on April 21, 1898 to protect the rights of laborers and farmers against unscrupulous landlords, and the Italian Opera Society to Help Those in Need, which was founded on August 27, 1907 to provide care to sick members and offer death benefits to surviving family members.
As Europe braced for World War II and the nations of Germany, Austria, and Italy headed towards totalitarianism, Club members voted to change the name of their organization to the Morristown Columbian Club, Inc., in order to honor Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, and engender greater acceptance within Morristown. By the mid-1940’s, the MCC boasted over 300 members. During the war years, the club was located at 101 Speedwell Avenue until a December 7, 1946 fire destroyed the clubrooms. Temporary quarters were set up at 24 Washington Street. In February 1953, a new clubhouse site at 333-335 Speedwell Avenue in Morristown was selected and club members built the new structure themselves, which they dedicated on June 4, 1955. Charities supported by the Columbian Club included the USO, All Souls Hospital, American Red Cross, March of Dimes, Community Chest, Boys Town, and American Cancer Society. One of their yearly fundraisers was raffling off a car donated by Wiss Brothers Dodge. In the 1940’s and 1950’s baseball, softball, bowling, and basketball teams (including youth teams) achieved respect for members. Information was related through the newsletter, “The Columbian”, first published on February 12, 1947. Club events included plays, testimonial dinners to honor citizens for achievements, and a yearly Communion dinner started in October 1946. The Morristown Columbian Club celebrated its 55th anniversary in October 1987.
The records consist of club programs, scrapbooks, and newsletters that document the Club’s history from 1932 to 1961. Four scrapbooks created by Emilio J. Gervasio depict the Morristown Columbian Club’s history, traditions, and activities from 1932 to 1961 in chronological order. Items in these scrapbooks date from 1932 to 1961, with the bulk of the material from between 1935 to 1957. The newspaper clippings date from 1935-1957 and report on meetings, events (dances, plays, parties, etc.) and fundraisers, as well as sports.
The photographs date from 1932-1961 and many are placed with the newspaper article they appeared in. Subjects include club presidents, officers, sports teams, car raffle, dinners, and their Speedwell Avenue clubhouse. Along with photographs, this collection contains a number of programs ranging from 1949 to 1958 commemorating installation of officers, testimonial dinners, anniversary celebrations, and the building dedication in June 1955. Included in this collection are issues of “The Columbian” newsletter and club bulletins (not all are dated or clearly identified). Included in Volume 1 are official documents, namely the certificate of incorporation, club constitution, and certificate of change of name.
The record files of the Morristown Columbian Club are organized into four scrapbooks that contain photographs, newspaper clippings, and program booklets from those years.
This collection is open for research under the conditions set forth in the North Jersey History and Genealogy Center archives access policy. All archival material should be handled with care and kept in its original order; notes may only be taken in pencil or with a computer, and food and drink are prohibited in the Reading Room. Records may be copied for scholarly or personal research using the edge scanner or a digital camera without flash; however, researchers must obtain copyright permission prior to publishing material from the collection.
The Club's records were donated on April 1, 1992 by past President and long-time member, Emilio J. Gervasio.
Finding Aid to the Morristown Columbian Club Records, 1932 - 1961, North Jersey History and Genealogy Center, Morristown and Morris Township Library.
Described by Lora Morgan, Intern July 2019, and encoded by Jeffrey V. Moy, Archivist.