Pietro and Maria Botto House facts for kids
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Pietro and Maria Botto House
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 Location in Passaic County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1908 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001188 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 30, 1974 |
| Designated NHL | December 17, 1982 |
The Pietro and Maria Botto House is a very important historical building. It is located at 83 Norwood Street in Haledon, New Jersey. This house became famous during the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913. Leaders from the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) union spoke here. They talked to about 25,000 striking workers. The house helped workers share their ideas and fight for better working conditions.
Contents
The Botto House: A Home for History
The Botto Family's Journey
Pietro Botto (1864–1945) and his wife Maria Boggio (1870–1915) were the first owners of the house. They both came from Biella, Italy. They got married in 1885. In 1892, they came to the United States with their first daughter, Albina.
The family lived in West Hoboken (now Union City, New Jersey) for 15 years. They had three more daughters there: Adelia, Eva, and Olga. They saved their money to build their own home. In 1908, they finally moved into their new house in Haledon. It was big enough for their family. It also had three extra rooms upstairs that they rented out for more money.
Pietro and his daughters worked as weavers in the Cedar Cliffs mills nearby. Maria did "outwork," which meant cleaning silk fabric at home. She also cooked meals for boarders and working men in her dining room. The Botto House was on a country hillside near a trolley line. This made it a popular spot for people to gather, especially on Sundays. They played bocce, cards, and enjoyed Maria's cooking.
A Place for Workers to Speak
In 1913, a big strike happened in Paterson, New Jersey. This was the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913. The mayor of Paterson would not let the striking workers meet in the city. Pietro and Maria Botto were asked by Big Bill Haywood, a union leader, to let the workers meet at their home. Haledon was a nearby town where workers were not on strike. The local mayor, William Brueckman, was a socialist and supported the workers.
So, the Botto House became the main meeting place every Sunday. This lasted from March 3 until the strike ended in June. Maria kept the house running and fed the activists. These speakers talked to the crowds from the balcony or in front of the house. Famous speakers included Upton Sinclair, Carlo Tresca, and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn.
Pietro was not part of the strike himself. However, after the strike, he could not find work. His daughter Eva also faced problems finding a job. This is called being "blacklisted," meaning employers would not hire them. Maria got sick and passed away just two years after the strike.
From Home to Historic Landmark
The Botto House was important because it allowed people to speak freely. It was a safe place for workers to gather and share their ideas. Because of this, the house was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1974. It was also added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in the same year.
In 1982, the Botto House was named a National Historic Landmark. This is a very special honor for historic places in the United States. It was the first site related to Italian American history to receive this recognition.
The American Labor Museum Today
In 1983, the Pietro and Maria Botto House opened to the public. It became the American Labor Museum. This museum is a non-profit organization. Its goal is to teach people about the history of workers and unions. It also focuses on the different ethnic backgrounds of working people.
The museum has different exhibits. It has rooms that look like they did in the early 1900s. There are also "Old World Gardens" that show how an immigrant family lived. The museum has a free library where you can borrow books. It also offers talks, poetry readings, and workshops for teachers.
Every year, the American Labor Museum gives out the Sol Stetin awards. These awards honor people who have helped improve the lives of working people. Some past award winners include:
- Mary Kay Henry
- John Nichols (journalist)
- James Sinegal
See also
