Monument to the Immigrant

New Orleans, Louisiana has always been a welcoming place for immigrants who wanted to come to America and live the American dream. The Monument to the Immigrant highlights the dedication of the men and women that risked everything to come here. The monument was created by Italian immigrant Franco Alessandrini and was erected and dedicated in March 1995. The monument is two-sided. One side shows Mrs. Liberty facing the mighty Mississippi River. The other side depicts an immigrant family that faces the French Quarter which is where most immigrants lived when they came to New Orleans. One side of the base of the monument is shaped like the front of a ship, reminding people that New Orleans is a great port city and a city of immigrants. 

The American-Italian Marching Club of New Orleans commissioned the monument, and it was sponsored by private citizens and businesses. When creating the Monument to the Immigrant, Franco Alessandrini traveled to Carrara, Italy to obtain the finest marble. Alessandrini was an Italian immigrant who moved to Louisiana in the 1970’s, and wanted his sculpting medium to come from Italy as well. During the dedication ceremony in March of 1995 Judge Anthony Russo gave a speech that ended with the quote, “Let us not forget our immigrants.” There is a full inscription on the base of the monument appreciating these brave men and women. 

Monumental. Celebrating the Many Faces of New Orleans, Homeland Security. January 3rd 2016. Accessed August 17th 2020. https://medium.com/homeland-security/celebrating-the-many-faces-of-new-orleans-cf08b11d672a.

Heil, Haley. Monument to the Immigrant, New Orleans Historical. Accessed August 17th 2020. https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1472.

misfitt. Monument to the Immigrant - New Orleans, Louisiana., Waymarking. Accessed August 17th 2020. https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4NAH_Monument_to_the_Immigrant_New_Orleans_Louisiana.