A Monument to The Sicilian Sugar Cane Harvesters of 1870-1920. We Stand on their Shoulders.

The Monument to the Sicilian Sugarcane Harvester will be 16′ high. Each side depicts a different scene.

Now accepting donations for the naming of the bricks, steps, and sides of the pedestal. The Monument will be located in a beautiful setting at Houmas House & Gardens.

Sponsored by the American-Italian Federation of the Southeast A non-profit: Tax ID #72-0817602

To Honor the 60,000 Sicilian Immigrants from 1870-1920 recruited to Louisiana to Harvest Sugarcane

Honor them with Brick & Pedestal Naming Options

Link to Bricks R Us Order Form

This is what the Bricks R Us Order form looks like. Please place your Brick Order via Bricks R US.

Larger donations are available for the naming on the Stairs and Pedestal. Email to AIFEDSE@Gmail.com

Please use this link to the special Bricks R US web site to order your brick

The American-Italian Federation of the Southeast was founded by Joe Maselli in 1972.  Over the years, the Federation has supported efforts by the Italian Marching Society and Baton Rouge Italian Heritage Organization to erect the Monument to the Immigrant in New Orleans and Columbus Fountain in Baton Rouge. 

Millions of people day can trace part of their ancestry to one or more of the 60,000 Sicilian Immigrants who were recruited between 1870-1920 to work as Sugarcane Harvesters on the plantations and farms of South Louisiana. Part of the mission statement of the Federation is to erect monuments honor our ancestors, who shoulders we stand on. 

The proposed Monument to the Sicilian Sugarcane Harvester is designed by Franco Alessandrini, who designed the previous monuments. The location of Houmas House and Garden in Darrow Louisiana was an obvious setting. The prominent setting of the monument in the 35-acres of gardens at Houmas House is respectful of the contributions of the Sicilians to Louisiana’s Sugarcane production.  

Historically many Sicilians worked at Houmas House, which was one of the largest producers of Sugar Cane. In 2020, The 30,000 square foot Great River Road Museum opened at Houmas House and Gardens.  Plans are underway to expand the Sugarcane Exhibit in the Museum to include the Sicilian contribution to improving crop production. 

The cost of the monument will be approximately $280,000.00. Fundraising is through the sale of naming bricks and the 4′ high pedestal.  This web site has been established for on-line donations. 

The 12′ tall marble monument has four-sides, with each side depicting a different harvesting setting. A 23″ high scale model has been built. Four other scale models will made for display in Louisiana. Bricks will be ordered every time an order of 10 is ready. They will displayed at Houmas House along side a scale model. 

Support is coming from across the country. An Italian-American leader from New Jersey called with an interest to place a scale monument in Sicily.