Carla's involvement with the Italian Educational & Cultural Center began in 1989, working as a social worker assisting elderly Italian immigrants while also helping individuals navigate the process of receiving Italian pensions.

 

Think about that for a moment. She wasn't simply studying the history of immigration. She was working directly with the people who lived it.

Their experiences eventually inspired her to establish the 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗢 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗟'𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗔 in 2000, preserving the documents, belongings, and personal histories of Italian families who came to America seeking better opportunities. 

 

And she didn't stop there.

In 2010, Carla expanded Casa Colombo's cultural programming, bringing art exhibitions, performances, and educational events into a building originally constructed by Italian immigrants in 1936.

That building at 380 Monmouth Street became a place where people could learn about Jersey City's Italian Village and the families whose contributions were part of the neighborhood's history.

 

Today, Casa Colombo continues operating as a museum and cultural center, and Carla serves as Vice Chair of its Board of Trustees. 

But here's something I particularly appreciate.

In April 2023, the organization dedicated its Heritage Hall in Carla's honor. Visitors can now walk through the 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗔 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗢-𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗟 and see artifacts documenting the Italian immigrant experience in Jersey City. 

 

I think that's a fitting recognition for someone who spent so much of her professional life making certain other people's names and stories would be remembered.

Jersey City's Italian-American history goes well beyond the annual festivals, parades, and celebrations. There were families who established businesses, built churches, organized social institutions, and created neighborhoods that remain part of our city's identity.

 

Carla understood the importance of preserving that history while there were still people around who could tell those stories themselves.

𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗔 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗢-𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗥𝗢 has made a lasting contribution to Jersey City.

Former Executive Director of Casa Colombo. Founder of its Italian Immigration Museum. Cultural preservationist. Community advocate. And a woman whose dedication helped preserve an important chapter of Jersey City's immigrant history.

During 𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 & 𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗛 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, The Hudson County Chronicles proudly honors Carla Truncellito-Mastropierro for her contributions to Italian-American culture, historic preservation, and the Jersey City community.

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦, 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗔!