ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Heritage Museum is boasting its newest exhibit, “A Family’s Journey: From Italy to Belmont County.” The exhibit features the Italian immigrant experience to life in Belmont County, including the importance that the coal mining industry had in the decision to move to the USA for work opportunities post the Great War. Items on display include family photos, passports and health certificates from the 1920s, an ocean liner ticket, mining tools and photos, as well as a Bellaire HS diploma, yearbook, and class ring from 1930.

Imagine boarding a ship to a faraway land, leaving behind your family, friends, and life as you knew it. During the early 1900s, the United States experienced a great wave of immigration, especially from Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. Among the millions of immigrants from Italy during that time was Alberto (Albert) Marinelli. “A Family’s Journey: From Italy to Belmont County” exhibit details the experience Marinelli from life during World War I and the economic aftermath; preparing to emigrate to America and passing rigorous requirements; the arduous trip across the ocean, and finally arriving in Belmont County to join his father in the back-breaking work of the coal mines. Marinelli established a successful life in Belmont County. He married his wife in Gilda, also an Italian immigrant, and they went on to have three children who they raised in Bellaire.

“All of this is possible because of the family photos, artifacts and stories as shared with us by Patti Marinelli, daughter of Alberto and Gilda Marinelli, who wrote and curated this exhibit,” said Cathryn Stanley, Curator of the Belmont County Heritage Museum. “Alberto and Gilda’s story shares common threads with the tales that many immigrants who made a new life in Belmont County experienced and helped form the unique character of our area,” she added.

As part of this special exhibit, there will be an event held at the museum on Wednesday, August 23 at 6 pm, Historian Dave Adair will present the life of an underground coal miner and coal mining in the early 1900s.

The Belmont County Heritage Museum is located in the historic former sheriff’s residence at 101 E. Main St. in St. Clairsville. In addition to “A Family’s Journey: From Italy to Belmont County” exhibit, you will find displays about the county’s sheriffs, artifacts from Belmont County communities representing their industries, landmarks, and important historical figures. The displays bring the spirit and history of each area together under one roof. From the designer of the USS Constitution to a major role in the glass industry, people can discover hidden gems that Belmont County is proud to hold in its history.

The Belmont County Heritage Museum is open Thursday through Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, and admission is free. “A Family’s Journey: From Italy to Belmont County” exhibit will be on display through September 30. For more information about this exhibit and the Belmont County Heritage Museum, visit www.belmontcountyheritagemuseum.org or contact Cathryn Stanley, Museum Curator at 740-298-7020.