The Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson has announced a new exhibit currently on display at the museum. The exhibit, “Finding a New Home in a New Land,” shares the story of the Marino-Accomando family as they immigrated from Sicily to Fort Atkinson in the 1950s. The exhibit is on display at the museum during regular museum hours until the end of 2025.
“This exhibit began as a conversation,” said Merrilee Lee, director of the Hoard Historical Museum. “One day, Mimma (Accomando) Nelson came to the museum to view another exhibit here and asked if the museum would be interested in some items that belonged to her family. As she started describing the items and her family’s story, I was just amazed by both the objects and the people who used them.”
Born in Sicily, Mimma (Accomando) Nelson immigrated to the United States with her father Pete (Pietro), mother Anna (Rosaria), and younger brother Frank (Francesco) in 1956. They moved to Fort Atkinson to be near Pete’s sister Nina and husband Joe Marino who had both immigrated prior to WWII. Once in town, Pete began working at Jamesway Manufacturing and Anna started working at Jones Dairy Farm. Mimma started kindergarten even though she did not speak English yet but Francesco was too young to start school.
Recognizing the importance of their journey, the Accomandos saved items from their trip from Italy to Wisconsin. Nelson donated numerous family items to the museum earlier this year while also sharing an oral history to the museum regarding her family’s experiences. These items and the oral history were used by museum staff to create the new exhibit on their family.
“When Mimma shared with me that she still had the clothing they wore on their trip across the Atlantic, including shoes and bags, I was shocked. Those sorts of personal items are rarely kept for long and it’s a testament to the Accomando family that they valued their experiences.”
The Accomando/Nelson family also shared several family photos, including photos of the Accomandos arriving in Fort Atkinson after a two-week journey from Sicily. “My personal favorite photo is a group photo of the Accomandos and Marinos. The Accomandos all look tired after traveling with two small children for weeks while the Marinos are just beaming with joy. It’s a very relatable photo: tired travelers and joyful family members.”
Both Mimma and her brother Francesco (Frank) graduated from Fort Atkinson High School. Mimma remained in Fort Atkinson while Francesco moved elsewhere in Wisconsin. Both Pete and Anna have passed away and are buried St. Joseph Cemetery in Fort Atkinson.
“Through family and friends in town plus determination and strength, the Accomandos found a new home here in Fort Atkinson and the museum is honored to be able to tell their story,” said Lee. “While their story is uniquely theirs, it is also a familiar story to many of us whose families have migrated from somewhere else to find a home in Fort Atkinson. Whether the family members migrated in the 1850s or 1950s, the story has similar parallels: a long journey, finding a community in a new town, and working towards a new future for everyone.”
Lee continued, “The museum is dedicated to telling the stories of all Fort Atkinson residents and it is especially exciting when those residents can come visit their exhibit. Thank you very much to the Marino, Accomando, and Nelson families for letting us share your stories with Fort Atkinson. We’re very honored!”
The exhibit will be on display until the end of 2025. The museum is free to visit and open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 am – 4:30 but will be closed during the upcoming holidays in November and December.
The Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine Museum are located at 401 Whitewater Avenue in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The museums are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call the museums at 920.397.9914, visit our website www.hoardmuseum.org, and like us on Facebook.
