Daily Life

When the Italian immigrants came over from Carlentini, Sicily to settle in Omaha, Nebraska, immersing themselves in daily activities was an important step in the process. Many families opened up bakeries or grocery stores that would span generations. Or even one of the many steak restaurants of Italian heritage. Family gatherings were quite common, as many lived together in the Little Italy communities. This way shared experiences could be discussed, as well as keeping traditions of the old country alive.

The festivities could include weddings or cousins getting together on a nice summer day. Most children went to school, learning how to read and write English, along with other tasks. Traditional Italian (Sicilian) food, was an important staple for daily life, which could be found in many households. These are just some examples of the type of artifacts you can view. The entire collection will have you step into a typical day for these Italian and Italian-American community members.

Text: Natalie Beattie