Our Museum

The Independence Italian Cultural Museum contains photographs, artifacts, artwork, and religious items which provide a glimpse into Sicilian-American and Italian-American heritage.

Our Mission

Our mission is the preservation and restoration of the history of the Italian American community. We strive to preserve Sicilian and Italian culture, music, art, language especially the Sicilian language which is endangered worldwide including the Island of Sicily partially due to the long, turbulent history of Sicily.

Built in 1908 by our Sicilian and Italian immigrant ancestors, this architecturally unique building served as their church Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, the center point of their lives for generations. Now, this historically significant building serves as historic museum. Within its masonry walls, this lovely museum contains information about local family history. On display are old photographs and artifacts, which capture memories of religious celebrations and special milestones which defined the lives of the faithful of Independence and surrounding areas.