La Nostra Storia - Our History
The Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) founded in New York City in 1905, is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the rich cultural heritage of Italy. It is the oldest and largest Italian American fraternal organization on the North American continent. The Order is a non-sectarian, nonprofit and non-partisan one, with its original mission to provide a unifying element for Italian immigrants coming into America. Yet it has evolved into a valuable platform for Italian Americans.
The Grand Lodge of Maryland was incorporated in 1920, although individual lodges had existed since 1913. Maryland has active lodges across the state.
Baltimore's Little Italy Lodge was organized in 1972 and boasts a membership base of 400. In the beginning, the Lodge held its meetings and social functions on a refurbished barge docked in the harbor. But, the Lodge was forced to look for a new home after the barge sunk in a storm. Efforts and endeavors since that fateful night had been geared toward the construction of a new building, which is 905 E. Pratt Street on the northern side of Little Italy.
Read a chapter from the book, "Baltimore's Little Italy: Heritage and History of The Neighborhood," (authored by a Lodge member), about the history of the Little Italy Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of Maryland was incorporated in 1920, although individual lodges had existed since 1913. Maryland has active lodges across the state.
Baltimore's Little Italy Lodge was organized in 1972 and boasts a membership base of 400. In the beginning, the Lodge held its meetings and social functions on a refurbished barge docked in the harbor. But, the Lodge was forced to look for a new home after the barge sunk in a storm. Efforts and endeavors since that fateful night had been geared toward the construction of a new building, which is 905 E. Pratt Street on the northern side of Little Italy.
Read a chapter from the book, "Baltimore's Little Italy: Heritage and History of The Neighborhood," (authored by a Lodge member), about the history of the Little Italy Lodge.
