Garibaldi-Meucci Museum

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is located in the heart of Rosebank in the historic home of the pioneer inventor, Antonio Meucci, and legendary hero, Giuseppe Garibaldi. The simple country residence was built circa 1840 in the Gothic-revival style. In 1850 Meucci and his wife Ester learned of its availability and soon after, began renting it. In the same year, Garibaldi also arrived in New York City seeking refuge. Meucci offered him the hospitality of his home and together they worked in his candle factory until 1854 when Garibaldi returned to Italy to lead the victories that unified Italy and won him world wide fame.

When Garibaldi died in 1884, a committee was formed to commemorate the hero’s stay on these shores. Meucci was on hand that year when a marble plaque was placed over the front door of the house. After Meucci’s death, the house was turned over to the Italian community to be preserved as a memorial to Garibaldi.

By 1907, on the centennial of the hero’s birth, the house was moved to it’s present location, where a pantheon was erected over it. In 1919, the Garibaldi Society turned over the house to The Order Sons of Italy in America. The Order has restored and maintained the house ever since. With the assistance of the cultural department of the Italian Embassy, artifacts were collected from around the world. In May of 1956 the house was opened to the public and rededicated as The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum. Today the museum is a National Landmark owned and operated by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The Museum offers historical tours and many educational programs for children and adults. They also offer an extensive library of rare and out-of-print books is open to the public.