Museo Italo Americano Capital Campaign – Radici e Rinascimento/Roots & Renaissance
“The goal of the capital campaign is to create the preeminent cultural experience in the U.S. dedicated to the significant, indispensable and untold artistic, cultural and social contributions of Italians and Italian Americans.”
— Museo Capital Campaign Committee
Why is the Museo Doing a Capital Campaign?
After Dr. Jerome Cocuzza, a longtime benefactor of the Museo, donated from his estate a building to be used for the purposes of promoting and sharing Italian heritage and culture, the Museo drafted plans to embark upon a capital campaign to renovate the building to serve as its future home. The goal of the capital campaign is to create the preeminent cultural experience in the U.S. dedicated to the significant, indispensable and untold artistic, cultural and social contributions of Italians and Italian Americans. The theme of the capital campaign is Radici e Rinascimento/Roots and Renaissance and it highlights the Italian roots of the neighborhood and the renaissance of the building at 940 Battery Street.
What are the Museo’s Plans for Its New Home?
Once renovated, the building will have a basement (lower) level and five floors above ground. The Museo will occupy the lower level and the first two floors, with a grand staircase linking its floors. The third and fourth floors will be leased to commercial tenants to support the Museo’s sustainability. The fifth floor will be a multi-use space, available for commercial lease or private event rental, with an outdoor terrace offering spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay, the Financial District and Telegraph Hill.
Where is the Museo’s New Home?
The building at 940 Battery is located in the Barbary Coast / North Waterfront neighborhood that has a decidedly Italian American history and flavor; the northeast waterfront location, once a prominent commercial trade and warehousing center dating back to the Gold Rush era, is now a designated historic district. The original “Italy Harbor,” where Ligurian fishermen moored their feluccas in the latter part of the 19th century, was located approximately where the building stands today. Quintessential Italian American businesses populated the area, including the Italian Swiss Colony, Ciocca-Lombardy Wine warehouses, and the Petri Italian American Cigar Company. The district is immediately adjacent to the fashionable Jackson Square district which attracts some of the highest commercial rents in the city.
Who are the Museo’s Partners for this Project?
- We are proud to have the endorsement of the Italian Consulate of San Francisco!
- Real estate developer, philanthropist and Italophile Steve Oliver is our development partner and contractor
- Acclaimed firm Mark Cavagnero and Associates is our architect
- Exhibit firm Macchiatto is designing our new history exhibit and interior spaces
What are the Museo’s Plans for a New Historical Exhibit?
Although Italian immigrants and their descendants have made significant contributions to nearly every aspect of California, there is currently no single location that publicly documents, shares, and honors these dynamic stories. The Museo will present this compelling and living history in a 4,000 square-foot exhibition highlighting the substantial ways in which Italian immigrants and their descendants have shaped our state’s history and continue to leave their vibrant mark. Designed by San Francisco firm Macchiatto, this exhibit will also be formally dedicated to the memory and legacy of A.P. Giannini, founder of Bank of America.
The Capital Campaign in the News:
- January 2024: KRON 4 – watch the video HERE
- September 2022: Museo Honors Donors Sheila Wishek & Lar Landa at the Italian Consulate – read the post HERE
- April 2020: Nob Hill Gazzette – read the article HERE
How Can I learn More About the Capital Campaign?
For more information and/or to request a print copy of the capital campaign brochure please contact the Museo Executive Director Sandra Bagnatori at sandrabagnatori@gmail.com or cell (415) 518-4865. Alternatively please call the Museo at (415) 673-2200.
