From August 15 -17 2008, we would
like to invite all people with an
interest in the historic southern
Italian hill town of Craco to a
gathering on the Lower East Side of
New York City in the area known as
Little Italy.
The event opens with a dinner on
Friday evening at a traditional
Italian-American family restaurant, Forlini's on Baxter Street.
Saturday morning the group will
visit the Tenement Museum to catch
a glimpse at the living conditions
our ancestors endured as new
immigrants. This tour will be
followed by a grand Italian luncheon
and official Craco Society meeting,
all at Il Cortile on Mulberry
Street. Attendees will then be able
to explore the Little Italy section
of Lower Manhattan and visit the
sites that first housed ancestors at
the turn of the 20th century. After
visiting the Tenement Museum the
exposure to the living conditions
they faced on these streets can only
be heightened. Although much has
changed in the area, those who know
the addresses of ancestors’ houses
can experience the thrill of
locating them today. The day
culminates with individuals
continuing their exploration of New
York City and enjoying dinner in
the Manhattan or perhaps the nearby
Borough of Brooklyn that was a haven
for many Crachesi after they gained
some prosperity.
The reunion falls during the San
Rocco Festival, a major event
celebrated widely in Basilicata.
Sunday we will hold a morning
breakfast at one of the areas oldest
and well know eateries. Afterwards
attendees can join the special Mass
celebrating San Rocco and then
participate in the 119th Annual
procession through the streets of
Lower Manhattan following the same
route as our immigrant ancestors.
This is a rare opportunity for many
new generation Crachesi to
experience a full Italian American
procession through the streets of
New York. We hope you will join us
as we together explore our
ancestors' immigrant experience.
Continue to Learn about Craco and
its people:
Research material will be available
at the meeting including maps of old
Craco, an index of vital records,
Craco census records, and a list of
Craco immigrants. Everyone attending
will leave the session with an
information packet about the town,
its immigrant families, and
resources to develop more
information about your Craco
ancestors. More importantly, there
will be plenty of time to share
information, pictures, addresses
and stories with your “Cracotan”
cousins.
Reunion Site:
The second annual Craco Society
Reunion will be held at several
locations on the Lower East Side of
New York City known as Little
Italy. All the events will be
taking place in the old neighborhood
with meeting venues within walking
distance of each other. Those
commuting into the City or staying
in the area will find the walking
easy, convenient and an addition to
the meeting experience.
Registration:
Please take a couple of minutes to
review the attached material then
fill out and return the registration
form so we can make arrangements for
your participation. The full
registration fee includes: Friday evening
cocktail reception & dinner,
Saturday visit to the Tenement
Museum, Saturday lunch & meeting,
Sunday brunch, copies of meeting
materials and Craco family history
resource information. Should you be
able to attend only portions of the
meeting you can register for just
those segments. Download the
Registration Form, in PDF format,
for the Second
Annual Craco Society Reunion by
clicking here .
