75 Years of Italian American Culture, Tradition and Service!
The Italian American Club of Jacksonville takes pride in being River City’s oldest ethnic organization. Its history began during the early twenties when a small group of immigrants decided to form a social club to continue their rich Italian heritage.
After a short time, this original club disbanded and in January 1935, the American Italian Club of Jacksonville (IAC) was born. This organization consisted mainly of first-generation Americans “to bring Italian people together.” During World War II the club was temporarily disbanded but friendships founded by common bonds continued and helped pass this period of national suffering. In 1951, with the war over, the club was officially founded by a formal Charter.
After years of assembling at members’ homes, restaurants and meeting halls, a pavilion on the city’s Southside became IAC’s first formal structure. The vision of a new hall persisted and in June 1978, the new clubhouse in Mandarin was officially opened with much pomp and ceremony. This event brought misty eyes to many of the remaining founding fathers whose children and grandchildren shared this special day with them. In the new clubhouse IAC has grown to a membership of over 250, covering four generations of Italian Americans along with their relatives and friends.
Varied activities for club members include dinner meetings, seasonal dances, Bingo and Bunko parties, picnics, Italian lessons and off-site trips. IAC offers support to local charities and community projects. Cultural programs are provided to county schools and organizations.
Outreach to the public provides Spaghetti to Go the last Friday of each month. Our lovely clubhouse is also available for rentals for special occasions.
Every October, IAC honors Italian American Heritage Month with a celebration of all things Italian. FESTA ITALIANA, now in its 31st year, welcomes the public to be “Italian for a day.” Everyone is invited to attend FESTA on October 24, 2026. This is an exciting year for the Italian American Club as we commemorate our diamond anniversary serving the Jacksonville community.
Our latest publication is A Taste of Tradition, a cookbook assembled by our IAC members. It is a collection of Italian recipes passed down from Mamas and Nonnas. Cookbooks can be purchased at FESTA or on-line.
Italian culture is rich in the arts, family, culture, music and food. At our club, we love to share our stories, traditions and recipes when we gather. Membership is not limited to Italians, and all are invited to join. For seven decades, the Italian American Club in Jacksonville has grown and prospered through its recognition of “Orgoglio Italiano” – Italian Pride!
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Living my personal mission statement, “Each One, Teach One,” my greatest blessing is being the mother of two, grandmother of three and a lifelong educator. A graduate of UF and UNF, I am the former principal of St. Paul’s Catholic School in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and executive director of Tree Hill Nature Center in Jacksonville.
Since retirement my avocation is now my vocation – freelance writing. The technical writing of past professional life evolved into more creative genres of poetry, short fiction and memoir. My goal is to invoke the entire spectrum of human emotions in my reader: longing to laughter, pain to promise, despair to discernment.
2 Responses
Great article. Looking forward to attending Festa on October 24!
Looking forward to attending Festa on October 24!