The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, a gem nestled in Rosebank, will be highlighted in the Travel Channel’s show, “Mysteries at the Museum” on January 30 at 9 p.m. The show looks at museums across the country and looks at interesting artifacts and often reveals shocking revelations about history. The museum, located at 420 Tompkins Avenue, was home to true inventor of the telephone Antonio Meucci, and his wife while they lived on Staten Island. An Italian immigrant and inventor, Meucci welcomed freedom fighter Giuseppe Garibaldi into his home for nearly two years while he was in the New York City area. After leaving his friend in 1854, Garibaldi led the military forces that would ultimately lead to the unification of Italy, making him a hero throughout the world. The home, originally on the property of the Bachman Brewery, was moved to its present location in 1907. Open as a museum under the Order of the Sons of Italy, the home houses artifacts of both Garibaldi and Meucci. On the first floor, Meucci’s parlor is filled with items he invented, including a prototype of the telephone, a piano he built of wood and a rocking chair. In addition, his death mask is on display. Across the hall, Garibaldi’s “red shirt” is on display with his spectacles and hair. On the second floor, the room where Garibaldi lived is furnished much the way it would have been during his stay. There is also a library of texts of Italian culture and history on the second level.
“The museum is a unique secret on Staten Island,” noted Borough President James Oddo. “It played an important role in history. Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, lived there and actually had a working telephone in his home. And Giuseppe Garibaldi was a true hero to many people. It’s exciting that we have this living history right down the street.”
For more information about the museum, go to www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org.
The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and also hosts special events throughout the year. The phone number is 718.442.1608.
“The museum is a unique secret on Staten Island,” noted Borough President James Oddo. “It played an important role in history. Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, lived there and actually had a working telephone in his home. And Giuseppe Garibaldi was a true hero to many people. It’s exciting that we have this living history right down the street.”
For more information about the museum, go to www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org.
The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and also hosts special events throughout the year. The phone number is 718.442.1608.
