The museum in Cuggiono, Museo Storico Civico, published this book subtitled "History Speaking Through the Ages". This book is mainly about the museum, but as such, it touches on the history of Cuggiono, it's citizens, and those that left Cuggiono for other countries. It is a great "coffee-table" book, 96 pages very nicely bound with an attractive cover that makes you want to see what's in it, and printed on really nice heavy glossy stock. It is available only in Italian. I will tell you up front that there is no "real" genealogical material in it.

- a history of Cuggiono from the early 1800s, with a few pictures.
- some information about the dialect spoken in Cuggiono, and certain words that you would only have heard in Cuggiono. (I found that very interesting reading!)
- several pages on the magnificent Villa Annoni, with pictures
- much of the book is obviously dedicated to the museum, but within this section, there are many pictures of tools of the trades in Cuggiono that are on display in the museum as well as buildings and pictures of photos and such in the museum (people are unnamed). The pictures date back to the early 1900s that I could find dates for with a quick glance.
- there is a section on the emigrants, reasons for leaving, etc., and the cities they settled in here in the US - quite a bit about St. Louis.
- Further back in the book, there is a photo of the "Cucchi Brothers", whose given names aren't mentioned, but the photo is from the late 1800s.

HOW TO ORDER YOUR BOOK (for United States orders only!):
Mark Spezia will serve as an "agent" for the museum and will handle the sales of these books in the US. The reason is because with Museum's tax status as a non-profit organization, they aren't allowed to "sell" anything. They have to ask for a "donation" for the book. The "minimum donation" is an incredibly low $37.00 including air mail shipping and handling costs from Italy! Most of the production costs were covered by donations, so approximately $25.00 goes directly to the museum.

Not only do we get a beautiful keepsake book; the money for the book is being used to preserve our Italian heritage!

Send your typed, or very neatly written, order with your minimum donation of $37 USD per book ordered to:

Mark Spezia
15 Bayberry Drive
Eliot, ME 03903

Please include a typed or neatly printed name, mailing address, and phone number for each order. Books can be sent to any number of addresses, but I need the above information for each book.

You may direct any questions to:

Pam at Pam Huss
or
Mark at Mark Spezia

I am sure you will enjoy the book as much as we have!