Our Origins

The Grand Lodge of Rhode Island was founded in 1915 by an influential Italian immigrant who served as an associate justice of the RI Superior Court, Antonio Capotosto. It was chartered that same year on September 19th.

The Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America turns 116!  

Originally called “Figli d’Italia,” the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America® was established in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City on June 22, 1905, by Vincenzo Sellaro, M.D., and five other Italian immigrants who came to the United States during the great Italian migration (1880-1923).  

Their aim was to create a support system for all Italian immigrants that would assist them with becoming U.S. citizens, provide health/death benefits and educational opportunities, and offer assistance with assimilation in America. We continue that mission through our National Supreme Lodge, Sons of Italy Foundation and Commission for Social Justice. 

Today, we are a national organization of men and women who represent the estimated 26 million Americans of Italian heritage, dedicated to promoting our culture, our traditions, our language, the legacy of our ancestors, and our contributions to the U.S. and the world. With members and lodges across the United States of America and Canada, we continue to be the largest and oldest organization for people of Italian heritage.