Physical description: Interview with Lenora Capillupo Bullock and Serafino Capillupo with statements of Carolina Granato Capillupo and Frank Capillupo. See attached index
Original on audiotape cassette in case. 2 mp3 files. The tape has one side with a length of 44 minutes, 36 seconds. Transferred to one mp3 file for access. Available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/historycolorado/capillupo-family-oral-history-ciapaoh021
Project description:
In 2002, the Colorado Historical Society (now known as History Colorado) founded the Colorado Italian American Preservation Association (CIAPA). A volunteer organization, CIAPA’s mission is to work collaboratively with the Society and other organizations to develop, support and coordinate projects that preserve, promote and celebrate Italian American culture and heritage. Since 2002, CIAPA has carried out its mission by meeting with people from the Colorado Italian American community, recording their stories and creating an archive of research materials that includes oral histories, photographs, moving images, sound recordings and artifacts. To date, CIAPA has helped the Society acquire over 200 oral histories, 600 artifacts and nearly 6,000 photographs. Since 2002, CIAPA has developed over 4,000 research files, all of which document the history, culture and traditions of Italian American families in Colorado.
Interview summary:
Interview conducted by volunteer Phyllis Lombardi Greb with siblings Serafino Capillupo and Lenora Capillupo, Februrary 15, 2004. Much of the interview covers details of the Capillupos' childhoods in the Denver Italian community from the 1920s and 1930s, including memories of holidays, pastimes and recreations such as dancing, music, and sports, religious functions at Mt. Carmel Church, the Capillupo family's home cooking, assimilating into American culture, going to school, and helping with bootlegging liquor during Prohibition. Serafino and Lenora also discuss their marriages, work histories, and military service in World War II; Serafino served in the Pacific Theater, awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, while Lenora's husband also served in the Pacific at Guadal Canal. The Capillupos briefly discuss their other siblings' careers and military service, as well.
Notes:
See MSS.02595 "Bullock, Lenora Rosalie Capillupo" file for additional information and images.