Discovering Italy in Montclair’s Architecture (June 2019 Lecture, Tour, Performance and Aperitivo)

Last June 9, 2019, the Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies presented a multi-part program called From Montclair to Montechiaro: Discovering Italy in the Local Architecture to trace the Italian influences on the design of local residences and the contribution of Italian “maestranze” in building them. Held at the beautiful Van Vleck House and Gardens of Montclair on a gorgeous late spring day, the program started with a lecture by MSU alumna, decorative arts historian and chairperson of the Montclair Historic Preservation Commission Kathleen Bennett and by architect and architectural historian Frank Gerard Godlewski. In focusing on the impact of Vitruvius and Palladio in the residential development of Montclair – renamed Montechiaro for a day – the lecture expanded to embrace architecture, immigration and social history.

Introduced by Teresa Fiore, Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies, the presentation opened with the greetings of Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson, who addressed a full house to highlight the active partnership between Montclair and Aquilonia, an Italian town where many local Italian Americans are from. Teresa Fiore brought attention to other ties – those between Montclair State University and Montclair, when she added “The Inserra Chair offers a wide array of cultural activities on campus, but with this program it wanted to show that ‘The Inserra Chair goes to town’ in order to directly address and meet residents interested in Italian and local culture, as well as to enjoy the unique spaces available in town.”

After the lecture, a coach tour of the town revealed the multiple layers of Italian connections in the architectural treasures of Montclair. Led once again by Bennett and Godlewski, the tour encompassed the diverse and beautiful Italian-inflected landscape of Montclair, which includes grand houses as well as the working class Italian neighborhood of the Pine Street historic district.

The program was rounded off with an “aperitivo al fresco”, i.e. light refreshments served on the terrace of the Van Vleck House, accompanied by a musical/vocal performance with tenor Sandro Naglia and pianist David Witten, Professor at the Cali School of Music. They presented pieces focusing on the themes of gardens and homes, which Sandro Naglia selected for the occasion.

Full program

Attended by a mixed audience of business people, artists, teachers, journalists, including a number of MSU Alumni, the event was covered by the local media – to read all the articles and browse through the photos, please visit the media coverage for this event. 

This program was organized and sponsored by the Inserra Chair and Italian American Studies in partnership with The Office of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. The food was donated and prepared by Chefs of Inserra Supermarkets ShopRite Kitchens & Catering. The wine was donated by Inserra Supermarkets ShopRite Liquor Stores.