Guide to the Societa Guglielmo Marconi di Mutuo Soccorse (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit), Leechburg, Pa. Records, 1911-1979 AIS.1979.24

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Societa Guglielmo Marconi di Mutuo Soccorso (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit), Leechburg, Pa. Records
Creator
William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit (Leechburg, Pa.)
Collection Number
AIS.1979.24
Extent
2 microfilm_reels
Date
1911-1979
Abstract
The increase in Italian immigrants in Leechburg, PA and their growing need for a social and mutual benefits society resulted in the formation of the Societa Guglielmo di Mutuo Soccorso (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit) in February 1911. The records span the years 1911-1979, in which there are minutes books for this entire period. Additional records include constitution and by-laws, legal papers, anniversary programs, name lists, and correspondence.
Language
English .
Author
Thelia Abram and Katie Kirwan. Revisions occurred to the finding aid as a part of the encoding process on November 18, 2003.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

History

The last decade of the 19th and the first of the 20th centuries saw a great increase in the number of Italian immigrants settling in Leechburg, Pa., and the surrounding mining areas. Their growing need for a social and mutual benefits society resulted in the formation of the Societa' Guglielmo Marconi di Mutuo Soccorso (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit).

Application for a Charter of Incorporation was filed on Jan. 10, 1911. On Feb. 7, 1911, a charter was granted and recorded in the office of the Recorder of Deeds in Armstrong County. The first monthly meeting of the William Marconi Lodge was held on Feb. 12, 1911. Until 1916 the regular monthly meetings were held in the Odd Fellows Hall. On April 2, 1916, the William Marconi Lodge held its first meeting in its permanent Leechburg home, Marconi Lodge, the former Favor Building at 135 River Street. At the time, there were 383 charter members.

Second Freilino obtained permission from William Marconi, an engineer and inventor, for the use of his name for the Lodge. The lodge chose to represent the wireless telegraph of Marconi in its emblem and seal by depicting transmitting and receiving signal towers with an ocean liner at sea in between.

The William Marconi Lodge has flourished since its inception, providing social life, giving sick benefits and otherwise helping its members, and sponsoring sports activities such as softball, baseball, bocce, and bowling. Many of its members have served in the armed services.

Scope and Content Notes

Records span the years 1911-1979. There are minute books for the entire period which were kept in Italian until 1947 and in English thereafter. The collection contains the constitution and by-laws from 1911 and 1940, which include the Charter of Incorporation and names of original subscribers and founding members. The records also include legal papers, miscellaneous programs (anniversary and veterans homecoming celebrations), name lists, and miscellaneous correspondence.

A short biography of William Marconi and a brief history of the lodge can be found in Series 5, 50th Anniversary booklet.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

This microfilm project has been sponsored by the Archives of Industrial Society with funds provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, grant RC-0036-79-1210, "Survey and Acquisition of Source Materials Relating to Immigrant and Ethnic Life in Southwestern Pennsylvania", in July 1979.

Existence and Location of Orginals

Original records in the possession of William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit, Leechburg, Pa.

Preferred Citation

Societa Guglielmo Marconi di Mutuo Soccorso (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit), Leechburg, Pa. Records, 1911-1979, AIS.1979.24, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Previous Citation

Societa Guglielmo Marconi di Mutuo Soccorso (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit), Leechburg, Pa. Records, 1911-1979, AIS.1979.24, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Societa Guglielmo Marconi di Mutuo Soccorso (William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit), Leechburg, Pa., Records, Feb. 1911-July 1979, AIS Micro 79:24, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Thelia Abram and Katie Kirwan in July 1980.

Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Jamie Shriver on October 6, 2003. Information about the collection title and the controlled access terms was extracted from the MARC record in the University of Pittsburgh catalog Voyager ID number: 1384158

Copyright

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Pittsburgh as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • William Marconi Lodge of Mutual Benefit (Leechburg, Pa.)

    Genres

    • Bylaws (Administrative records)
    • Programs (Documents)
    • Constitutions

    Other Subjects

    • Societies
    • Ethnic groups
    • Italians -- Pennsylvania -- Leechburg
    • Italians -- Pennsylvania
    • Italian Americans -- Pennsylvania -- Leechburg -- Societies and clubs

Container List