Columbus Day 2020 was particularly special for the Italian American community of Northeast Ohio.  On this day, the Italian American Museum of Cleveland (IAMCLE) was established.  Hon. Basil M. Russo, National President of the Italian Sons & Daughters of America, and Hon. Deborah J. Nicastro, Board Chair of the Italian American Museum of Cleveland, signed a lease for space in Cleveland’s Little Italy at 12111 Mayfield Road.  

The space is being transformed into a modern museum with engaging exhibits that highlight and preserve the history of Italian Americans in Northeast Ohio. AMCLE, however, is not the first Italian American museum in Cleveland.  For many years, the Mayfield-Murray Hill District Council operated the Little Italy Historical Museum in Little Italy.  In 2007, for a variety of reasons, the decision was made to close the museum.