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1926 Casa Italiana 1161 Amsterdam Avenue
– NE corner of Amsterdam and West 117th Street
NB 209-1926
West 117th Street, 437
5-sty bk club, 100×40
Cost:
$200,000
Owner:
Columbia University, 116th st & Amsterdam av
Architect:
McKim, Mead & White, 101 Park av
Address in Real Estate Record:
117TH ST, 437 W
Casa Italiana | LP-0991
Landmark Type: Individual Landmark
Designation Date: 3/28/1978
Address: 1151-1161 Amsterdam Avenue
Borough: Manhattan
Designation Report: http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/0991.pdf
1151-1161 Amsterdam Avenue
Construction Date: 1926 – 1927
Architect / Builder: McKim, Mead & White [William M. Kendall]
Owner / Developer: Columbia University
Major Alteration(s): None
Alteration Architect(s): None
Style(s): neo-Italian Renaissance
Material(s): Rusticated Limestone, Limestone
Building Type: College or University Building
Original Use: Institutional, college, cultural center
Tax Block: 1961 Tax Lot: 37
Casa Italiana McKim, Mead & White 1926-7
– resembles an Italian Renaissance palazzo (Dolkart)
– Teachers College Hall demolished on this site in 1926 to make way for Casa (Dolkart page 290)
A cultural center devoted to advanced studies on Italian history and civilization, but also a place for encounters, debates, concerts, and art exhibitions; period furnishing, draperies, and artwork donated by the Italian government; Neo-Renaissance facade, 400 seat auditorium, offices, study rooms, library; inauguration 12 October 1927 Columbus Day (Renato Cantore)
“In the early 1930’s Joseph Paterno, Michael Paterno and Anthony Campagna (brother-in-law) built the Casa Italiana at Columbia University. This handsome structure is on the campus at Amsterdam Avenue. Dad furnished the books for the library. Hence it is known as the Paterno Library Building.” Carlo Paterno in My Family page 47
The Casa Italiana—a neo-Renaissance palazzo located on Amsterdam Avenue near 117th Street—has been the most important expression of the Italian presence on Columbia University’s campus since its construction in 1927. As a site of interdisciplinary scholarship and promotion of Italian culture, the Casa Italiana has made a substantial contribution to the academic study of Italy in America and the understanding of Italian cultural identity abroad. (source)
In July 1925, Joseph and Michael Paterno and their brother-in-law Anthony Campagna offered to erect a new building to promote the Italian heritage. The building was named Casa Italiana. Dr. Charles Paterno pledged 20,000 volumes to establish the library. The Paterno Brothers and Anthony Campagna were major contributor in the development of the Casa. On Thursday, May 18, 1933, The New York Herald Tribune published a photo of Michael, Charles, and Joseph Paterno taken at an awards presentation ceremony, Antonio Crossardi, Italian Consul General in New York presented the three Paterno brothers with gold medals from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for “the promulgation of the Italian Culture.” The ceremony was held at the Casa Italiana. (Kelley Paterno page 283)
Casa Italiana 17 May 1933: ceremony for Charles, Joe, and Michael Paterno who received the gold medal of King Victor Emanuel III presented by Giuseppe Prezzolini, director, for the contributions they had made to disseminating Italian culture in America (Renato Cantore)
Dolkart page 338: Although a number of the institutional building projects both on and off campus [of Columbia University] were criticized others have been lauded, notably….the award-winning restoration of the exterior and auditorium of Casa Italiana and the creation of dynamic modern classroom and office interiors by Buttrick, White & Burtis in association with Italian architect Italo Rota.
A Portrait Of Carlo [Charles Vincent] Paterno by Giuseppe Prezzolini, Head of Casa Italia at Columbia University
– 1920 Prezzolini appointed director
Castles, Skyscrapers, and the Charles V. Paterno Library by Paul Cohen
Landmarks Preservation Commission March 28, 1978
“The Casa Italiana was built in 1926, with money mostly donated by Uncle Joseph and Uncle Michael. The doctor donated and equipped the library. Brother John’s contribution was closing contracts and supervising the work, worth at least $50,000. He was highly praised for his share, by the then-President of Columbia University, Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler.” Michael J. Paterno book page 48
In suit, institute argues Italian Academy has ignored original mission • Columbia Spectator • AUGUST 24, 2014
Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna RESEARCH DOCTORATE IN LITERARY AND PHILOLOGICAL CULTURES • Angelo Fortunato Formiggini and the spread of Italian culture in the world Presented by: Elisa Pederzoli Coordinator Doctorate Supervisor Prof. Luciano Formisano Prof. Paolo Tinti Final exam year 2019
