OSIA Comes to Virginia

     News of the formation of L’Ordine Figli di Italia (the Order Sons of Italy) in America in 1905 in New York soon reached Virginia and the benefits of belonging to a strong national organization were quickly recognized.  At the beginning, Lodges were either formed as men’s or women’s Lodges-many of them as brother and sister Lodges.  In June 1914, Roma Lodge #254, with about 100 men, became the first Sons of Italy Lodge in the South. 

     To satisfy a need for Italian-American representation in the Capital (Richmond), the Giuseppe Verde Lodge #315 was chartered in 1915 also with about 100 men.  In 1916, the Dante Aligheri Lodge #552 for men was chartered in Newport News and the Gorizia Lodge #619, a women’s Lodge was chartered in Norfolk.  1920 saw another women’s Lodge, the Regina Margherita Lodge #1014, established in Richmond.

     1921 was an organizing year.  The Italo-American Citizens Association founded in Portsmouth on February 14, 1907, was chartered as the Italo-American Citizens Lodge #1071 for men.  Shortly thereafter, the Cuore di Maria Society of Norfolk, founded in 1897, joined the Order as the Cuore di Maria Lodge #1081 for women.  They were closely followed by the formation of another women’s Lodge, the Cornelia Dei Grachi Lodge #1096 in Portsmouth.

A Grand Lodge

     Given this eight-year spurt of activity, it is not surprising that Supreme Venerable DiSilvestri convinced the Supreme Executive Committee to charter the Grand Lodge of Virginia on November 12, 1922.  The Grand Lodge was the ninth Grand Lodge chartered by the Order.  During the 1920’s some of these fledging Lodgers were dissolved.  July 1932 was the last known gathering of the Grand Lodge.  The Grand Lodge went into hiatus.

     With Italy preparing for war, pre-World War II days were difficult for the Virginia Lodges.  Membership throughout the Order dropped severely during World War II and Virginia was no different.

     In 1947, after the war, the Lodges once again started to grow.  Membership again rose and by 1949 membership again increased to 500 and the Grand Lodge was again reactivated-this time permanently. 

     On November 4, 1949, Supreme Venerable George J. Spatuzza from Chicago, Ill. came to Richmond to re-install the Grand Lodge of Virginia.  At this “first” convention of the Grand Lodge, they installed Italo D. Iaccheri of the Giuseppe Verde Lodge as first Grand Venerable. 

     Through the years, the members of the Grand Lodge of Virginia have fought bigotry and prejudice.  We have participated in community events, provided scholarships to deserving students, supported our troops with various activities, and donated to national causes including the Jefferson Memorial, 911, Alzheimers and Autism.

     In this first part of the 21^st century we continued to keep alive the cultural traditions of our Italian ancestors.  Plans for the remaining years of the century are to participate in our local communities, adhere to law and order, continue charitable contributions and join with others for humanitarian purposes.  The next 100 years promises to be exciting and noteworthy.  Won’t you come on this journey with us?