Blauvelt, NY – On Sunday, Supervisor Kenny attended the unveiling of a Christopher Columbus statue at the Blauvelt Sons of Italy, a piece of history that has found a new home in Orangetown after being defaced and discarded in a Virginia lake during the 2020 protests.
The statue, which is over a century old, was originally located in Richmond, Virginia. In 2022, the City of Richmond donated the damaged statue to the Italian American Cultural Association of Virginia, which oversaw its restoration. Despite efforts to reinstall the statue locally, the group was unable to secure a permanent location in Virginia. After extensive searching, the restored monument was offered a home at the Blauvelt Sons of Italy.
John Corritone, co-chair of the statue restoration committee in Virginia, remarked during the event, “It will be prominently displayed on their property to inspire all to embrace the spirit of discovery and foster a community that learns from history and champions tolerance.”
The statue’s new placement at the Blauvelt Sons of Italy stands as a symbol of resilience, history, and cultural pride, serving as a reminder of the contributions of Italian Americans and the broader message of understanding and unity.