Donations, 1956

The Cesare Barbieri Endowment records encompass four series of materials spanning the dates 1947 to 1967, and document the origins and activities of a financial endowment created on December 31, 1947 by the Italian-born engineer, inventor, and philanthropist Cesare Barbieri. Mr. Barbieri intended for the endowment to benefit outreach projects pertaining to Italian education and culture both in the United States and in Italy. The Barbieri Endowment also provided aid to individual students for the cost of tuition, books, and fees. Initially, funds from the Barbieri Endowment were used almost exclusively for the restoration of classroom equipment, supplies, and books at the University of Bologna in Italy, which was all but destroyed during World War II.

The first series includes correspondence from a variety of individuals, institutions, and organizations both in Italy and the United States. Many of the named individuals are professors or students from the University of Bologna in Italy, or members of the American Committee for the University of Bologna. Additionally, named individuals are heads of institutions and organizations. Of interest is the file for Jerome P. Webster, a Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.) alumnus and physician at Columbia University. Notable correspondence from institutions and organizations includes Columbia University in New York (especially Casa Italiana), which was instrumental in helping to purchase and send equipment to the University of Bologna. Of interest in miscellaneous correspondence are two folders of letters and memos between Cesare Barbieri and his executive secretary (Charles H. Tompkins), most of which discuss the day to day operations of the work of the Endowment. "Letters from Abroad" are in the Italian language with no translations. A few pieces of correspondence pertaining to donations made to Trinity College (Hartford) are in this series.

The second series pertains to the University of Bologna in Italy and the creation of an "American Committee" to oversee the distribution of funds for help with the restoration of the University after it suffered considerable damage during World War II. The series includes committee correspondence, minutes, and reports, as well as University view books. Purchase order requisitions detail the types of equipment and supplies ordered by professors within specific academic departments. Of note is the 1949 "Report of Progress" of the American Committee which details its creation, purpose, and objectives. Also notable is the folder titled, "Endowment Activities / Report of War Damages," which includes a memorandum written by Cesare Barbieri as to why he thinks helping the University of Bologna is a worthwhile endeavor. In addition, the series includes a set of three oversize posters (presumably designed to be displayed outside the venue) advertising the Committee's benefit concert at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City in 1949.

Financial records in the third series include bank statements for multiple accounts, checkbooks, records of disbursements, receipts for paid bills, and tax documents. Most importantly, this series includes records of donations made by the Barbieri Endowment to individuals, institutions, and organizations (similar files may exist in the Correspondence series). Of note is a set of index cards arranged alphabetically by the names of recipients of funds from the Endowment, with dollar amounts and dates of distribution, thus providing quick access to an overview of how funds were distributed. In addition to files regarding donations made, the series also includes files of requests for donations that were turned down.

The fourth series includes records of a legal nature, pertaining to the establishment of the Cesare Barbieri Endowment itself, as well as to the estate of Cesare Barbieri after his death in 1956. Of note in the Endowment files (1947) is a sketch (with English and Italian language versions) concerning Cesare Barbieri written by Executive Committee member and 1913 Trinity College graduate, Alfred J. L'Heureux, "[p]repared in the interest of a better understanding among all peoples, the promotion of democratic ideals and an abiding peace...." Estate files include a copy of Barbieri's last will and testament, as well as inventories and appraisals of artworks, furniture, and jewelry belonging to the estate. In addition, several Estate files include detailed explanations of Mr. Barbieri's work with and connection to the Dixie Cup Company. Newspaper obituary notices (English and Italian language) regarding Mr. Barbieri's death are here.