Our History

From Mutual Aid Societies to a continent-wide organization

Early Roots

ITTONA's story begins with the Trentini and Tyrolean "Mutual Aid Societies" of the early 20th century. Some of these original societies still exist today, but most were eventually succeeded by the new clubs that formed after World War II, as the Great Depression era faded.

Early clubs emerged in Canada — Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver — as well as in the United States: New York City, Hazelton (Pennsylvania), and Solvay (New York State). The first conventions were held during the 1970s: twice in Hazelton and once each in New York City and Montreal.

Delegates at the 1974 Convention in Hazelton, PA — Convention in Hazelton, PA — 1974

Attendees at the 1974 Hazelton Convention — Hazelton Convention — 1974

The Founding — June 20, 1976

On June 20, 1976, the International Tyrolean-Trentino Organization of North America (I.T.T.O.N.A.) was officially formed at a convention in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The new organization united all Trentini-Tyrolean clubs across Canada, the United States, and Tijuana, Mexico under a single banner.

      First Elected Officers
      President: Giuseppe Zanoni, Jr. — Chicago's Trentin-Alpine Club
Vice-President: Louis Rossi
Treasurer: Inama Gino
Secretary: Walter Maturi
Foreign Correspondence Secretary: Rolando Inama
Youth Representative: Eileen Rossi

    

Source: Bonifacio Bolognani, A Courageous People of the Dolomites (Trento, Italy: T.E.M.I., 1996), pp. 344–345. See Publications for more about this book.