Skip to main content
COLLECTION Identifier: HUD 3285

Records of the Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard, 1910, 1926-1950, and undated

Overview

The Circolo Italiano dell’Universitá Harvard was founded in 1903 as the Italian Club. While membership was originally confined to those studying the Italian language,the Circolo gradually extended its sphere of interest and opened to all members of the University interested in Italian and the culture of Italy, and Italians in America. The records document the history, activities, and interests of the Circolo.

Dates

  • Creation: 1910, 1926-1950, and undated

Conditions on use and access:

The Records of the Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard are open for research.

Extent

0.4 cubic feet (1 document box, 1 portfolio folder)

Records of the Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard document the history, interests, and activities of the society. Documents include ephemera, meeting notices, correspondence,meeting minutes, and financial information.

History of the Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard

The Circolo Italiano dell’Universitá Harvard was founded in 1903 as the Italian Club. While membership was originally confined to those studying the Italian language, the Circolo gradually extended its sphere of interest and opened to all members of the University interested in Italian and the culture of Italy, and Italians in America. The Circolo held monthly meetings, with speeches given on a subject pertaining to Italy or Italian culture, such as music, painting, the language, or customs. Meetings also included the singing of Italian folk and popular songs. The Circolo produced its first play in 1916 to benefit the American Red Cross.

The society also promoted the exchange of students between Italian universities and Harvard. A scholarship fund for an exchange student was begun by the Circolo in the mid-1920s, and was largely funded by the proceeds of a play or ball given annually in the spring. The first scholarship was awarded in 1928, allowing a member of the Circolo to spend a year studying at the University of Rome. In the 1930s, the Circolo established a prize, based on knowledge of Italian and Italian culture, which was offered annually to any undergraduate of Harvard or Radcliffe.

Series and subseries

  1. General information and ephemera
  2. Records
  3. ___Meeting notices
  4. ___Correspondence
  5. ___Meeting minutes
  6. ___Membership lists
  7. ___Financial information
  8. ___History and other documents

Inventory update

This document last updated 2016 August 29.

Processing Information

The Records of the Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard were first classified and described in the Harvard University Archives shelflist prior to 1980. In November 2008, Juliana Kuipers re-processed the material. Re-processing included integrating and reorganizing the records, re-housing materials in appropriate containers, establishing a series and subseries hierarchy, and the creation of this inventory. All call numbers were simplified.

Title
Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard. Records of the Circolo Italiano dell'Universitá Harvard : an inventory
Author
Harvard University Archives
Language of description
und
EAD ID
hua33008

Repository Details

Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository

Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.

Contact:
Pusey Library
Harvard Yard
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2461