Blogging In Italy

125 years ago, in 1899, my great grandparents, Emerenziana Vitullo, a seamstress, and Vincenzo Iacapraro, a cobbler, said goodbye to their Pietrabbondante home to begin their long and challenging journey to Chicago. They would travel with their two small children, my grandfather Alexander, aged four, and his two-year-old sister, Fortunata. We will never know what led to this decision, but we do know the impact this decision had on the life of their eldest son, Alexander. 

Alex Capraro, as he became known in Chicago, was a determined student who quickly learned to speak, read and write perfect English. At the young age of 21, he passed the architectural exam and became the first licensed Italian-American architect in the state of Illinois. And so began his incredible career.

On Sunday, September 14, 2024, Len and I were honored to be guests of the Pietrabbondante community as they recognized the achievements of Alexander Capraro, American architect, native son of Pietrabbondante.

After breakfast in my ancestor’s home, Rinella, the lady of the house, guided me to the primary bedroom balcony to see the preparations happening below. 

A bit later, Rinella and her sister, Rosaria, emerged from the house –  as proud as can be. 

I followed, and was quickly introduced to the mayor of Pietrabbondante, Prof. Claudino Casciano.

The local banner was proudly displayed and posters announced the location, time, and speakers.

The event was to be followed by an aperitivo buffet, to which all were invited.

In addition to the mayor, the speakers included heads of various architectural foundations and associations; professors/researchers of architecture; and yours truly. 

As mentioned before, there are about 200 full time residents, and it seemed that most of them had joined the celebration.

The event was called to order by Mariella, the very efficient person responsible for organizing the gathering.

She thanked those present and then the Italian national anthem was played and proudly sung by all. Most unexpectedly for me, however, was that it was followed by the Star-Spangled Banner. Truly, I felt as if I had won an Olympic gold medal! My emotions and tears were proof.

The impressive group of speakers highlighted some of Alex’s significant commissions:

Main Navy Buildings in Washington DC, 1918:

The Italian Pavilion, 1933, Century of Progress, International Exhibition; 

Casa Bonita, opened 1920’s, annually featured in Open House Chicago.

Then it was my turn to speak (in Italian, of course!) I knew others would highlight Alex’s accomplishments; what I wanted to do was share a bit of his personal life.

When Alex met the love of his life, my grandmother Modesta Rose, (Maude), her mother said he was too skinny to date! But she did date and marry him in 1920, and they shared an incredible life together for 36 years. 

They had two sons, one daughter, and eventually 10 grandchildren. ©blogginginitaly.com (Grandpa is left of grands; author is center child)

My grandparents were full of life; they loved each other and their family deeply. And how they loved to dance!

Their lives were busy – whether working, traveling by car with their children, entertaining, or being involved in the community. Most of all, however, they loved when family gathered around their large dining room table for delicious dinners prepared by Maude. Although I was only five when Alex left us, I vividly remember sitting at that big table and seeing his warm smile. 

On August 20, 1938, Alexander Capraro reached the very spot where we were gathered in Pietrabbondante. He was 43. It would be his first and only visit since he emigrated at age four. That night, he wrote the following to Maude:

Honey, I got the real kick of the whole trip today when I reached my hometown and saw the house and the actual room of my birth. Today I met several aunts, cousins, and many relatives. They cried with joy and they never stopped feasting their eyes on the boy from America. In a few minutes, word spread that I was there and the whole town seemed to come around to see the native son from America.

There was more to my speech, but I ended with the following:

Alexander Capraro was a wonderful man, full of love, life and talent. But he was also a humble man, never loud, never bragging, always sharing his talents through his work, and sharing his time and advice when asked. If he were here today, he would be so appreciative and humbled by this incredible recognition and outpouring of affection. 

And then it was time for the unveiling:

The blessing:

And the reading of the plaque (below in English):

IN THIS HOUSE WAS BORN 
ALESSANDRO V. CAPRARO
BORN IACAPRARO
HIS ARCHITECTURE ENCHANTED CHICAGO

PIETRABBONDANTE   7 JANUARY 1895
CHICAGO   1 NOVEMBER 1956
MUNICIPALITY of PIETRABBONDANTE 9/15/2024

Afterwards, I received a statue from the mayor symbolizing the town’s ancient history:

RAI news was there to document the event, 

which we later watched on the evening news! They included my interview, and more importantly, the interviews of two people whose research brought this story to life, Architect Francesco Lastoria 

and Prof. Arch Lucia Krasovec-Lucas.

With the ceremony over, it was time for celebration, and celebrate we did. The buffet, which no one would touch until Len and I started, was incredible and very generous.

And finally it was their turn to join.

Of course, the ceremonial Prosecco needed to be popped, and I was asked to do the honors.

People waited patiently to introduce themselves and shake our hands. To me, it was their personal acknowledgement of the native boy who had left home and pursued his dreams, yet he would always belong to this place. 

I began to understand how my grandfather felt…the whole town seemed to come around to see the native son {now granddaughter} from America.

We too now belong to the Pietrabbondante family. 

This has truly been an overwhelming experience for me –  research that has taken years with an ending I could never have imagined.  

I am forever grateful to so many including: 

-The entire community and administration of Pietrabbondante
-The speakers who shared their time and perspectives
-The family who has cherished/cared for my ancestors’ house and embraced us as family
-Aunt Marion, who kept my grandfather’s papers and entrusted them to me
-Lucia, for her past and ongoing research
-Francesco who discovered my posts about Alex 10 years ago and was determined to have him recognized
-Len, for taking this journey with me
-Alex, my grandfather, for his courage, determination, and love of life, as well as for being an incredible role model of a life well- lived.

To Alex, thank you!

Ciao,
Judy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Pietrabbondante